Manufacturer Honda Class Entry-level luxury car Layout FF layout | Production 1997–2005 Body style 4-door sedan | |
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Assembly Alliston, Ontario, Canada | ||
The Acura EL was a compact entry-level luxury sedan built at Honda's Alliston, Ontario, plant, and also the first Acura built in Canada. The EL is a badge-engineered Honda Civic with a higher level of features.
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The Acura EL was a sales success. Representing 51% of Acura Canada's annual new-vehicle sales in its first full year, the EL remained Acura's top seller in Canada from 1997 to 2003. The Acura EL was replaced for the 2006 model year by the Acura CSX which, like the EL, was available only in Canada.
First generation (1997–2000)
The first generation of the EL was a rebadged version of the Japanese market Honda Domani, a somewhat altered version of the 1997–2000 Honda Civic with differing front end, trunk, lights and various interior pieces. Honda sold the upscale Domani at Japanese dealership sales channel called Honda Clio that sold large, or well equipped luxury sedans like the Honda Legend and the Honda Inspire, and sold the more affordable Honda Civic at Honda Primo locations. Sold in Canada as the Acura 1.6EL, it was introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model. Seeing that sales within Canada for the four-door Acura Integra were extremely low, Honda decided to replace it with the four-door-only Acura EL. Its 1.6 L VTEC engine produces 127 hp (95 kW) at 6600 rpm and 107 lb·ft (145 N·m) at 5500 rpm. It has features not available on the similar Civic such as amber-lit LED interior dash display, tachometer, power trunk (no keyhole on the trunk), alarm, 15-inch (195/55/15) wheels, antenna in the rear window glass, chrome interior door handles, extra pocket underneath centre console, paint-matched mirrors, side moldings, and door handles, slightly stiffer suspension, 12 mm rear sway bar and 26 mm front sway bar, heated mirrors, and an amplifier. From 1999 all 5-speed models had a leather-wrapped shift knob, similar to the one in the Acura Integra GSR.
Model configurations
In addition to the above:
Second generation (2001–2005)
The EL was completely redesigned for the 2001 model year and was then based on the seventh-generation Civic. In addition to the slightly more powerful and torquier VTEC-equipped 1.7 L 4-cylinder SOHC engine with 127 hp (95 kW), headlight and taillight designs and available leather interior trimmings set it apart from the Civic. Other differences include 15-inch multi-spoke alloys, heated power mirrors, cruise control, and rear disc brakes. The badging was changed to Acura 1.7EL and was dropped altogether for 2004.
The second-generation was available in touring and premium trim levels. The latter added leather seats, heated front seats and a power sunroof. Automatic climate control was added for the premium trim in 2003, and for the touring trim as well in 2004. All second generation EL models came with ABS anti-lock braking, but in 2003 an electronic brakeforce distribution system was made standard. For 2003 and 2004 a special dealer-installed 'aero package' was made available for both trims levels which added unique front and rear lips, side stills and a rear spoiler. In 2004, the EL underwent a slight exterior makeover with restyled headlamps, front bumper and grille, taillights, trunk lid, and rear bumper. The new look came with standard fog lights, a restyled steering wheel, new woodgrain trim patterns, and two additional tweeters powered by two amplifiers to complete the 6-speaker audio system.