Coming soon to an automotive red carpet near you: Honda’s new HR-V and Acura’s 2016 ILX.
The former, seen only in photos when announced in New York earlier this year, will be making its North American debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Fit-based crossover is expected to serve “as the entry point to the Honda light truck lineup,” consisting of the Ridgeline, Pilot and CR-V. The HR-V will take the stage sometime after 12:30 p.m. Pacific November 19.
Over at Acura, the Civic-based ILX will be debuting its new look for 2016, with the aim of firming up its appeal with customers in the entry-level premium market. The updates include a “more forceful, sporty exterior,” an unknown-yet-powerful powertrain, and new interior design. The sedan will roll up to the world’s stage at 9:30 a.m. Pacific November 20.
I am excited for the HR-V. But where is the new Pilot? Taking too long as engineers were stretched across non-essential projects like Insight, CR-Z and ZDX.
Does the Pilot follow the Odyssey in development/release timeline? I agree it is way overdue.
Usually the Pilot follows the MDX by 2 years (01 MDX -> 03 Pilot, 07 MDX -> 09 Pilot). The MDX ran an extra year and so will the Pilot, but man does that thing look old.
Thanks, Ramrod,
Another year until Pilot, huh? Not good.
I am cool with it because the current Pilot is handsome and chiseled. I like seeing them on the road.
I fully expect the 6MT to disappear from the ILX. Then we’ve come full circle.
I would love a 6-speed TLX, even the 4-cylinder. Never gonna happen, but one can dream.
Most likely powertrains: HR-V with 1.8 Civic engine and CVT; ILX with 2.4 Earth Dreams and 8spd auto straight from the TLX. Turbo 2.0/AWD have been speculated on the internet for the latter, but I doubt it. And the 6spd manual is probably done, as noted by kvndoom.
As appealing as a 2.0T/AWD ILX sounds, I would think it would push the price well over 30k. It would have to be a very compelling alternative to an A3.
Curious to see what they do with the ILX. The current 2.0 and hybrid trims sound absolutely dreadful and the plump ‘n narrow body style makes it difficult to take seriously as a semi-premium car.
I forecast to see a smorgasbord of HR-V’s sold. Purchased and driven mostly by women. No offence, but does it come with an integrated child seat, a tampon dispenser, or a HondaVac?
Curiously, no front double wishbones to be seen…
Honda seems to have given that up, along with any pretense of sportiness.
To be fair, if struts are good enough for the front of Porsche’s sports cars, they ought to be good enough for a Honda sedan or CUV.
If the HR-V can be had with a proper clutch pedal, I might have a look.
I somehow doubt that.
On the off chance it happens, the pricing needs to start below $20k, or folks will just buy a CR-V.
“The former [HR-V], seen only in photos when announced in New York earlier this year, will be making its North American debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.”
The Honda Vezel is the HR-V, and it was shown in Tokyo in Nov 2013. So get with the program!