Overview & Reviews

Take one part car shoppers' desire for improved fuel economy, add two parts automakers' never-ending quest to bring younger buyers into the fold, shake well, and you have the Acura ILX.

Although based on the Honda Civic platform, the Acura ILX has enough different about it to fully justify its position as Acura's most affordable luxury sedan. It starts with sleeker styling as well as a higher-quality interior. There's also an impressive list of standard and optional luxury features that aren't offered on its more affordable cousin. The suspension has also been reworked for a better balance of ride comfort and sporting handling. Under the hood not much changes from the Civic, but there's still a choice of three different powertrains including the Acura brand's first gasoline-electric hybrid.

Put it all together and you have an entry-level luxury car that is both the smallest and most fuel-efficient model in the Acura  lineup. For shoppers looking to step up to a small sedan that's notably nicer than the norm yet is still very budget-friendly, the ILX should work out nicely.

Current Acura ILX
The Acura ILX is a compact sedan that's offered as a gas-only model and as a hybrid. Powering the base gas-only ILX model is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a five-speed automatic. The performance-oriented ILX 2.4 gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 201 hp and 170 lb-ft. This engine only comes mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox.

The Acura ILX Hybrid model is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder working in concert with an electric motor for a total of 111 hp and 127 lb-ft. The latter employs a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that's tuned for crisper response compared to the unit used in the Civic Hybrid. As expected, EPA fuel economy estimates are quite good with the Hybrid, with combined mileage in the high 30s.

Standard equipment on both hybrid and gas-only base models includes keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a six-speaker audio system with Pandora Internet radio control. The Premium trim (not available on the Hybrid) adds features like xenon headlights, foglights and a rearview camera. The Technology trim (not available on the 2.4) builds on the equipment of the Premium with amenities like a voice-controlled navigation system, digital music storage and a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system. Feature content for the various trims differs slightly between hybrid and gas-only models.

In reviews, we've found that the ILX is a nimble little urban runabout, but is hampered by its underpowered engines. The 2.0-liter engine offers adequate power for getting around town, but is much slower than every other luxury-branded compact car. The more spirited 2.4-liter engine improves the situation, but even its acceleration is slower than average and its appeal is limited due to its obligatory manual transmission. The Hybrid is similarly slow compared to other hybrids and more notably, its fuel economy is worse.

Within the cabin, upscale touches give the ILX a noticeably more premium feel than the Honda model on which it's based, but don't match other luxury-branded compact sedans. On the upside, you get a lot more features for your money.

Used Acura ILX Models
The Acura ILX debuted in 2013. It's remained mostly unchanged, but 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat and heated front seats were added to the standard features list for the gas-only model in 2014.

User Reviews:

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  Noisy as heck ! - 2015 Acura ILX
  By Seth L - March 29 - 9:30 pm

  Transmission hums all the time. Acura claims, "its a normal characteristic of the car."

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  What you expect from the drivers seat isnt what this $31k Civic delivers. - 2014 Acura ILX
  By zoomjag - March 27 - 7:41 pm

  Disappointing with time. This vehicle doesnt feel like a comprehensive package - Its an economy car, thats it. Acura has taken a Civic (which is perfectly good as is) added a great dash, and some engine and suspension tuning and called it a day, and these mechanical touches dont really seem to add anything to the Civic package nor compete with the Civic Si(as if engineers just threw "good parts" at the car without testing). In many ways, the result here is an underpowered, loud, econobox with disturbing views from the drivers seat (funhouse drivers mirror, subpar plastic on the lower doors, blindspots for days) with a stereo that doesnt deliver premium sound leave you expecting more

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  So Very Disappointed! - 2016 Acura ILX
  By Cheryl Steeper - September 15 - 3:42 pm

  Wanted to stay with Honda products, having been an owner of Honda or Acura since 1980. Like the exterior styling of this car very much. However, I have a spine condition and find the buckets are too deep and make my back hurt after 30 minutes. Hate the hesitation with acceleration & feel like Im driving a tank, but need to make allowances here since I am coming for a car that has 260 hp. Wish I had gone for the Navi on upper level package because there is a stupid black screen behind the clock that is distracting. The cabin feels claustrophobic and small. The seating adjustments are not enough. Im trying to find a seat cushion to fix the bucket issue, but everything pushes my head into the headliner. Ive had this car for 3.5 weeks and am counting the days until I can sell it & get something else. Ive sat in every Honda and Acura product and only found 3 seats that were comfortable for my back...Honda Fit & HR-V, and Acura TLX. Latter is too big and hated the push buttons (had those on my teenage car and not going back!), car also too big. Fit is OK, but feels like Im downgrading from old Acura. HR-V was OK, but dont want an SUV. Finishes on interiors of Honda & Acura products really cheaped out now. Still looking for something to replace this Acura ILX. SOOOOO very disappointed in Honda/Acura now. Feeling really let down by this manufacturer.

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  Deserves one more star but please read it. - 2016 Acura ILX
  By PJ - May 16 - 3:55 am

  I got my car back in April of 2015. Reason I took off one star is squeaky front brakes issue. Its factory defect and acura is aware of it (Please google on tgat issue if you are interested). Acura did not want to change my brakes at time I came in and I dont have any more time to waste with them so I live with it. Its a huge disappointed especially for a brand such as acura. Another star I taken off because I believe few other things could have been better. Such as, very rough ride over uneven pavement and especially potholes. No 40/60 rear fold, whole rear seat just folds. Steering is a little numb as well. Not too much headroom for tall drivers. Never the less its an enormous value. For $27k you get compact (a plus for some) 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, great fuel economy, decent handling, sunroof, keyless entery, duel clutch transmission, full Led head lights, Adaptive cruise, crush prevention system, auto dual climate, heated seats and mirrors, back up cam, Acura badge (Might matter to some.

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  Issues with infotainment - 2016 Acura ILX
  By Donald Bassett - January 26 - 2:06 pm

  This is my first Acura and generally I am very happy. I havent had it in for the first service yet but wanted to know if anyone is having issues with the infotainment system. About once a week when I start the car the radio stations will come up with all the programmed numbers wrong. The stations are correct if you select them but the numbers displayed are wrong. Sometimes it will correct itself after a while and sometimes it wont. Twice the backup camera has not gone off when I shift out of reverse and the upper display stays on the back up camera the entire time I am driving. Next time I start it will go back to normal.