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.
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.
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.
Each Acura EL included things Honda Civics never received such as: Amber lit LED interior dash display, Tachometer was standard, All levels of trim received 15" wheels standard (195/55/15), Power trunk and alarm (Cars never had a keyhole on the trunk), Antenna built into the rear window glass, Chrome door handles on the interior, Extra pocket underneath centre console, Paint-matched mirrors, side moldings, and door handles, slightly stiffer suspension, 12mm rear sway bar and 26mm front sway bar, heated mirrors, and an amplifier.
Premium Models Between the years of 1997 and 1998, Premium models featured a Sunroof, Leather Seats, spoiler, as well as the alloy wheels. The Stereo also had a noise cancellation system (Acoustic feedback system) in the stereo: a microphone in the rear speakers detected any sunroof or road noises and would increase or decrease the stereo's volume.
1999-2000 Years Base and Sport Models The base model in these years featured all the standard EL features, however now all EL's had Air Conditioning and CD changers. The only variance between the Sport and Base model was that the Base model received a set of unique 15" hubcaps with 15" steelies, where as the Sport model came standard with 15" 5-spoke "turtle" wheels. All 1999-2000 models had folding heated mirrors now, and an upgraded grille on the front end. 5 Speed models also received a leather wrapped shift knob on all models, similar to the one found in the Acura Integra GSR.
