1997 Acura EL

The Acura EL was a subcompact executive car produced by Honda Canada from 1997 to 2005. It was essentially a badge-engineered version of the Honda Civic, but with some added features and a higher price tag. Here's a closer look at the Acura EL: Acura's Take on the Civic: Introduced in 1997, the EL was exclusive to the Canadian market. Based on the popular Honda Civic platform, it offered a more luxurious feel. While the overall shape remained similar to the Civic, the EL had distinct front and rear ends for a more upscale look. Upscale Touches: The EL boasted leather upholstery, a silver instrument panel, and a moonroof – features not typically found on the standard Civic in Canada. It offered a few trim levels with varying equipment, but no high-performance Type-S variant like the Civic. Standard features often included a power sunroof, CD player, air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and gear shifter (depending on trim). Sales Success in Canada: Interestingly, despite not being a fully redesigned car, the EL was a sales success for Acura in Canada. In its first full year, the EL represented over half of Acura Canada's annual sales. It remained Acura Canada's top seller until its replacement by the Acura CSX in 2006. The End of the Acura EL: Production of the EL ceased in 2005, with the Acura CSX taking its place as the brand's entry-level offering in Canada. The CSX followed a similar formula, being a more upscale version of the Honda Civic. Legacy: The Acura EL serves as an example of badge engineering, a practice where manufacturers create a seemingly different car by adding features to an existing model. Despite its origins, the EL found success in Canada by offering a more luxurious alternative to the Honda Civic for those willing to pay a premium.