New 2013 Acura ILX Starts at $25,900*, $10,000 More than the

In about a month's time, on May 22, to be precise, the new 2013 Acura ILX compact sedan will arrive in U.S. showrooms with prices starting at $25,900 and rising to $34,400, not including a destination charge of $895 (*).

Being based on the latest Civic, we can't help but note that the Honda model starts at $15,995, or $9,995 less, though in all fairness, the ILX is better equipped and comes with a 150hp 2.0-liter engine instead of a 140hp 1.8-liter unit.

On the top end of the range, the ILX with the 201HP 2.4-liter engine at $29,200 and the 111HP 1.5-liter Hybrid model at $34,400, approach larger German offerings like the 240hp BMW 328i ($34,900) and 201hp Mercedes C250 ($34,800), with the Hybrid being more expensive than the 211hp Audi A4 ($32,500).

The 2012 Buick Verano, which is a more direct opponent to the ILX, starts at $22,585 rising to $25,965. All Veranos are powered by a 180HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

"The 2013 Acura ILX will serve as the gateway to the Acura brand," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "At the leading edge of a new, sporty compact segment, the ILX delivers style, value, performance and connectivity to younger buyers looking to move into the luxury market."

The ILX's range starts off with the base model priced $25,900. It is powered by a 150hp 2.0-liter unit paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and returns 28mpg combined.

The same model is available with a Premium Package that adds leather seats, heated front seats, a power driver's seat, an upgraded 360 watt stereo system with XM radio, HID headlights, foglights, 17-inch alloys, a multi-view rearview camera and an Active Sound Cancellation system, with pricing set at $29,200.

There's also a Technology Package that builds on the Premium Package adding the AcuraLink Satellite Communication System, navigation with voice recognition, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather with radar image maps and HomeLink.

Next up is the ILX with the more potent 201hp 2.4-liter engine linked to a six-speed manual that's priced at $29,200 and includes the Premium Package mentioned previously as standard.

Finally, there's the ILX Hybrid with a 111HP 1.5-liter engine, with prices set at $28,900 for the standard model and $34,400 for the next version fitted with the Technology Package.