Acura EL

Introduced in 1996, the Acura EL was a rebadged Japanese Honda Domani for the Canadian market, sold as a compact entry-level luxury car (EL). It replaced the Integra sedan in the Canadian lineup, while the Integra sedan continued to be sold in the United States until 2001. The Acura EL remained through two generations, and was sold from 1997 to 2005. Both generation were considered a compact car. The Acura EL was the first B-segment luxury car in North America. All ELs were built at Honda's Alliston, Ontario, Canada plant (home of the Civic), and also the first Acura built in Canada.

Silver Acura EL Performance

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. Like the EL, the CSX is available only in Canada.

Blue Acura EL Hatchback

The first generation of the EL was a rebadged version of the Japanese market Honda Domani, which was essentially a 1996-2000 Honda Civic, with altered front end, trunk, lights and various interior pieces. Sold in Canada as the Acura 1.6EL, it was introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model. Seeing as sales within Canada for the 4 door Acura Integra were extremely low, Honda decided to discontinue sales of the 4 door Integra and introduce the Acura EL which only came as a four door. The name was chosen due to its 1.6 L Engine I4 engine (D16Y8), with power reaching 127 hp (95 kW) at 6600 rpm 107 ft·lbf (145 N·m) at 5500 rpm, thanks to the use of Honda's VTEC valve timing control. Only available as a four-door sedan, it featured luxury trimmings not available on the similar Honda Civic.
Siver Acura EL Front Side View
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), distinctive headlight and taillight designs and available leather interior trimmings noticeably set it apart from the Civic. Other differences include 15” 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.