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Car FYI Canada 2021 Vehicle Guide: Acura

 

Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Inc./ Acura


Entering its 35th year as Honda’s luxury brand in the United States and Canada, Acura appears with 2021 lineup containing five vehicles ranging from their strong-selling RDX crossover to the NSX supercar. Acura has discontinued sales of their RLX Sedan following the 2020 model year promoting the all-new TLX to the position of the luxury brand’s flagship sedan. Skipping the 2021 model year, the Acura MDX three-row premium crossover vehicle is based on an all-new larger 2022 counterpart arriving in February. In this latest anniversary year for the premium marque, the focus remains on blending comfort with precision engineering and sport holding.

 


Acura ILX

Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Inc./ Acura


Despite being based on the same platform as the Honda Civic, the Acura ILX’s design and content makes it a tempting choice for drivers seeking a modestly-sized sedan with premium comfort. Available in four trim levels, the 2020 Acura ILX luxury compact sedan is exclusively powered by a direct-injected, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. On the base version of the 2020 ILX, standard features include the brand’s signature Jewel-Eye LED headlights, silver 17-inch alloy wheels, premium six-speaker sound system and a ten-way power adjustable driver’s seat. An upgrade to the Premium trim level adds perforated leather seating, Cross Traffic Monitor System as well as portable device connectivity through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Premium A-SPEC version of the Acura ILX sedan adds sport appearance items including more aggressive front and rear panels, side skirts, rear deck lid spoiler as well as Dark Finish 18-inch alloy wheels. The highest-equipped version of the 2020 ILX, the Tech A-SPEC comes with an Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition and a ten-speaker audio system with hard drive storage. All 2020 Acura ILX models include AcuraWatch containing anti-collision features including Collision Mitigation Braking System and Forward Collision Warning.


Notable Changes for 2021: No changes have been announced for 2021. 


Combined City/Highway Fuel Economy: 8.6 liters per 100 kilometers


Canadian Pricing

Base: $30,490

Premium: $32,990

Premium A-SPEC: $34,490 

Tech A-SPEC: $35,890



Acura MDX (2022)

Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Inc./ Acura



Arriving in February of 2021 as the fourth-generation version of Acura’s flagship crossover, the 2022 Acura MDX pledges to deliver drastic improvements in innovation, interior refinement and performance. The new MDX is longer and wider than the previous shape translating to a more dynamic stance as well as greater interior dimensions. Along with greater third-row passenger space, the premium crossover’s cargo room has been greatly expanded to 16.3 cubic feet. The 2022 Acura MDX new chassis will feature the model’s first application of a double-wishbone front suspension paired with a multi-link rear suspension. Larger standard 19-inch wheels, Integrated Dynamic System, panoramic sunroof and 10.3-inch Precision Cockpit all-digital instrument display is included on the base model. The 2022 MDX is also available with a Technology Package adding a 12-speaker audio system as well as Acura’s IconicDrive interior LED lighting allowing the occupants to choose between 27-selectable settings. A sport-styled A-SPEC and a luxuriously appointed Platinum Elite Package provides additional high-end content including an expertly-tuned 16-speaker ELS STUDIO 3D premium audio system. All 2022 Acura MDX models are propelled by a 290-horsepower V-6 engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. Coming in the summer of next year, a Type S version of the new Acura MDX will invigorate the performance attitude of the larger crossover featuring a 355-horsepower turbocharged V-6 engine.


Notable Changes for 2021: All-new fourth-generation model for 2022.

Combined City/Highway Fuel Economy: 10.8 liters per 100 kilometers

Canadian Pricing

Base: $56,405

MDX with Technology Package: $60,405

MDX A-Spec: $63,405

MDX with Premium Elite Package: $67,405



Acura NSX

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada



A sensual form introduced almost a decade ago in concept form, the Acura NSX is still a shape capable of generating fresh, vibrant performance. Hand-built at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center, the mid-engined supercar carries on into 2021 as an exemplary speed machine. The 2021 Acura NSX’s muscular yet sleek exterior contours, low center of gravity and responsive handling is mated with a hybrid gasoline/electric powertrain. A twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter double overhead cam V-6 operating with a dry sump lubrication system combines with three electric motors to generate a combined 573 horsepower. Acura’s Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive aids a driver in negotiating roads tapping into the NSX’s power potential capable of launching the car to a 307-kilometer per hour top speed. The two-seat interior of the Acura NSX features perforated leather and Alcantara trimmed seats, ELS Studio Premium Audio System with nine speakers and subwoofer as well as a push-button start. 


Notable Changes for 2021: Drawing inspiration from NSX models sold between 2002 and 2005, a Long Beach Blue Pearl paint colour is now offered on the 2021 Acura NSX as a $700.00 option. 


Combined City/Highway Fuel Economy: 11.2 liters per 100 kilometers (based on 21 Miles per gallon)


Canadian Pricing:

Base: $192,895.00



Acura RDX

Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Inc./ Acura



Acura’s top-selling product in Canada and the United States, the RDX crossover features a balanced approach of luxury with everyday driveability. The handsomely prepared Acura RDX enters the 2021 model year as a pleasing shape capable of moving five occupants in comfort accompanied by 881 liters of gear (expandable to 2,260 liters of maximum cargo space when the rear seats are folded). Propelled by a 272-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter V-TEC engine mated to a standard equipped 10-speed automatic transmission and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the 2021 Acura RDX maintains formidable performance for all the seasons that Canada has in store. Acura’s Jewel Eye LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, height-programmable power tailgate and 12-way power adjustable front seats are standard amenities included on the base trimmed version of the premium crossover. A navigation system, Blind Spot Information and a 12-speaker ELS Studio premium audio system are included with the higher tier Tech package. The Acura RDX Elite model adds perforated leather-trimmed seating, heated rear seats as well as perimeter/approach puddle lights. The A-SPEC variant of the 2021 RDX boasts a more aggressive luxury appearance that includes special bodywork, 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels and LED log lights. The top-end Acura RDX Platinum Elite comes with a 19-speaker audio system, second-row temperature control, colour head-up display and surround view camera system.


Notable Changes for 2021: Finished in an exclusive Thermal Orange and limited in production to just 360 examples, the 2021 Acura RDX PMC Edition is hand-assembled to the exacting standard of the NSX.


Combined City/Highway Fuel Economy: 10.3 liters per 100 kilometers


Canadian Pricing:

Base: $44,390

Tech: $47,690

Elite: $50,890

A-SPEC: $51,190

Platinum Elite: $55,390


Acura TLX

Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Inc./ Acura



Introduced in 2015 as a replacement to the TL and TSX, the Acura TLX’s 2021 redesign usurps another sedan. Replacing the RLX sedan, the all-new TLX is larger than the previous generation model with a 3.7-inch longer wheelbase length and 2.2 inches in additional width. Although assuming the role as the luxury brand’s flagship sedan, the 2021Acura TLX sedan’s styling is much more athletic with a more pronounced diamond pentagon grille and a racier side profile. Assembled on a platform structure featuring much improved rigidity, the TLX handling is optimized through a front double wishbone suspension and NSX-derived Electro-Servo brakes. The vehicle also gains an expanded interior incorporating a “Dual Personal Cockpit” design theme. Based equipped versions of the 2021 Acura TLX will include standard features such as Jewel Eye LED headlights, power moonroof, adaptive cruise control, 10.2-inch HD colour centre display and a 10-speaker entertainment system with compatibility for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Windows Media. A navigation system with voice recognition, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor System and heated steering wheel is included with the upgrade to the TLX Tech package. The A-SPEC version of the 2021 Acura TLX touts unique sport-tuned exterior styling that includes a rear spoiler along with seating combining Ultrasuede and leather. The Platinum Elite package comes with an adaptive damper system, colour head-up display and rear heated seats. The four initial trim versions of the 2021 TLX will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine mated to standard Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.


Notable Changes for 2021: Completely redesigned for the 2021 model year. Acura TLX Type S planned for the spring of 2021 will come with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine.


Combined City/Highway Fuel Economy: 9.9 liters per 100 kilometers with Base, Tech and Platinum Elite.10.3 liters per 100 kilometers with A-SPEC.


Canadian Pricing:

Base: $44,490

Tech: $46,890

A-SPEC: $49,790

Platinum Elite: $52,190


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