Acura EL

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Acura EL
Manufacturer:	Acura
Parent company:	Honda
Production:	1997–2005
Assembly:	Alliston, Ontario, Canada
Successor:	Acura CSX
Class:	Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car
Body style:	4-door sedan
Layout:	FF layout
Similar:	Infiniti G20 Volkswagen Jetta Volvo S40

1.6EL

Production:	1997–2000
Engine:	1.6 L I4 (127 hp)
Transmission:	4-speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	103.1 in.
Length:	176.3 in.
Width:	67.1 in.
Height:	54.9 in.

1.7EL

Production:	2001–2005
Engine:	1.7 L SOHC I4 (127 hp)
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	103.1 in.
Length:	176.6 in.
Width:	67.5 in.
Height:	56.7 in.

In 1997, the Acura EL was born as a compact entry-level luxury car developed by Honda as an entry-level vehicle (the EL in the car name), and sold only in Canada. The car had two different generations, and was sold from 1997 to 2005. The EL was Acura's top seller in Canada, since the Civic is the best-selling car in Canada.

All ELs were built at Honda's Alliston, Ontario, Canada plant (home of the Civic), and also the first Acura built in Canada. The first generation of the EL was a rebadged version of the Japanese market Honda Domani. Sold as the Acura 1.6EL, it was introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model. The designation was based on engine displacement, indicative of its 1.6 L engine, with power reaching 127 hp (94 kW), thanks to the use of Honda's VTEC valve timing control. Only available in as a four-door sedan, it featured luxury trimmings not available on the similar Honda Civic.

The EL was completely redesigned in 2000 (as a 2001 model) and was now based on the seventh generation Civic. In addition to the slightly more powerful and torquier VTEC-equipped 1.7 L 4-cylinder SOHC engine (badging correspondingly changed to Acura 1.7EL; engine size was dropped from the model name for 2005) with 127 hp (95 kW), distinctive headlight and taillight designs and available leather interior trimmings set it apart from the Civic. The car simply changed its badge from 1.7EL to EL.

The Acura EL was replaced for the 2006 model year by the Acura CSX, based on the redesigned 2006 Honda Civic. Like the EL, the CSX is available only in Canada.