The Acura ILX is a tiny premium vehicle with a focus on comfort rather than performance. The ILX, which is based on the practical Honda Civic, provides outstanding fuel economy for everyday driving. For its inexpensive starting price, it comes with a lot of standard equipment and excellent driver safety systems. The ILX’s exceptional pricing and smooth powertrain maintain it an attractive pick despite its short back seat and antiquated technologies.
Overview
The Acura ILX is a great choice for anyone searching for a premium automobile that won’t break the budget. For a low starting price, the Japanese brand’s smallest sedan offers a smooth ride and a comfortable cabin. It has a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive for fuel efficiency and traction in bad weather, as well as user-friendly driver safety measures for added peace of mind. The infotainment system lags behind contemporary competitors. Front-seat space is prioritized above back-seat space, which is best suited for children. The Acura ILX does a good job of offering upmarket comfort with exceptional value and practicality for a luxury car, even if it isn’t as entertaining or sophisticated as some of its European counterparts.
Trims and Pricing
The tiny ILX car, like previous Acura vehicles, comes in only one trim level. The entry-level ILX starts at roughly $26,500, making it the best value in the compact luxury sedan class. 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic on/off LED headlights, variable intermittent wipers, and a power sunroof are just a few of the highlights.
The driver and passengers are kept safe by a suite of driver safety technology. Forward-collision warning detects potential crashes and can automatically brake the car if the driver fails to respond in time. Adaptive cruise control keeps a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, while lane-keep assist allows the ILX to stay inside the lines of its driving lane.
Leatherette upholstery, an eight-way driver’s seat, heated front seats, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a leather steering wheel, a six-speaker audio system, USB connections, and Bluetooth are among the interior features.
Customers can choose from three optional packages to improve the car’s comfort, technology, and sporty appearance.
For $2,000, the Premium Package adds perforated leather seating, memory for the driver’s seat, a premium audio system, blind-spot monitoring, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
The A-Spec goes above and beyond the Premium Package, adding $2,000 to the price. It has dark chrome lighting surrounds, gloss black body highlights, side underbody spoilers, 18-inch gray-painted wheels, LED fog lights, and gloss black body accents. The cabin is also given a sporty makeover, with quality leather and fake suede accents. A race-inspired steering wheel, a dark headliner, red instrument panel illumination, and stainless steel pedals are among the features.
Do you want more infotainment options? The $1,900 Technology Package is available to customers who purchase both the Premium and A-Spec Packages. It includes a navigation system, traffic rerouting, AcuraLink Connected Services, and a 10-speaker premium sound system from Acura/ELS.
Engine and Performance
The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine in the ILX generates 201 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain is competent for navigating around town or long-distance highway trips, however it isn’t as quick to accelerate or as exciting to drive as European competitors. The ILX’s naturally aspirated engine feels notably high-revving yet smooth in an era when many manufacturers are adding turbochargers.
An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission connects the engine to the front-wheel-drive system. In mixed driving, it aids the ILX in achieving an EPA-estimated 28 mpg.
Interior
The ILX’s cabin is spacious and pleasant, with enough of legroom in the first row. It has a superb steering wheel and simply accessible controls, just like other Acura vehicles, providing a driver-oriented appeal. The ILX is based on the Honda Civic, which makes it a practical and well-liked platform.
The ILX has been on the market for nine years. Newer rivals with standard touchscreen infotainment systems and more sophisticated interior style have appeared since then. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on the ILX’s optional 8.0-inch display for convenient smartphone connectivity, but several competitors offer similar capabilities.
The front seats have lots of headroom and legroom, but the back seats are cramped. Due to the small size, taller adults may feel claustrophobic.
The ILX is one of the easiest cars to drive. It offers simple controls and a quiet, comfortable ride. The ILX is a near-ideal commuter or city vehicle thanks to its compact size and active safety technologies.
