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New Models
DRIVEN: Acura’s Toned Down ILX
The entry-level compact for the Honda luxury division brings a modest level of style and performance to the popular brand.
The Acura ILX provides an affordable entry point to the Honda luxury brand. (Photo: Acura)
Acura introduced the ILX for the 2013 model year hoping to capture buyers who wanted in on the brand’s distinctive style and tech-heavy performance, but without the hefty price tag.
While an entry-level car is a welcome addition to Honda’s luxury brand, thanks to toned-down styling and dull performance, the ILX doesn't really offer much to get excited about.
The 2013 Acura ILX is based on the Honda Civic, though there isn’t much family resemblance. Its squat rear end recalls its Honda counterpart, but the ILX’s long, boxy hood is distinctly Acura.
The brand’s characteristic metallic “V” above the grill is present on the ILX, but it’s a toned-down version compared with what the rest of the fleet is sporting. In fact, everything about the ILX’s styling is toned down, smoothing and softening Acura’s typically hard angles. While this will probably help the ILX appeal to a wider audience, it certainly does not make it a head turner.
My test model was the base ILX, sporting a 2-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The engine’s modest 150 horsepower doesn't offer much in the way of power, and driving the ILX is fairly unremarkable, though perfectly fine for day-to-day commuting. The suspension isn’t particularly sporty either, but it offers a comfortable ride and the handling is nimble enough to allow for some fun.
Things probably improve considerably if you opt for the Premium model, which comes with a more-powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission. The ILX is also offered as a hybrid – a first for Acura – which offers 38-mpg and is based on the Civic’s popular hybrid powertrain.
My tester was came with the Technology package, which includes goodies such as 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, an upgraded stereo, leather upholstery and active noise cancellation. The interior retains Acura’s typical high-tech feel, with lots of buttons and dials, and the brand’s well-designed navigation system and in-dash computer are always welcome additions. There are a few nice tech touches, such as the ability to convert text messages to speech with the audio system, which comes standard on all the models.
Overall, the interior feels pretty bland, lacking bold or interesting design elements, and nothing about it feels particularly luxurious.
The ILX is quite spacious for a compact car, with well-designed seats and enough room in the back for average-sized people to fit comfortably. The trunk looks small from the outside, but it offers 12.4 cubic feet, which is pretty standard.
At a base price of about $26,000, the ILX offers a way to get into an Acura at a fairly affordable cost. But with its unremarkable looks and underwhelming driving performance, it’s missing Acura’s usual spark. Coming from a company that has brought us such great cars in the past as the sporty Integra, the ILX is a bit of a disappointment.
Details:
Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door sedan, front-wheel drive.
Engine: 2-liter inline-4, 150 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, 140 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm.
Transmission: 5-speed automatic with manual shifting.
Wheelbase: 105.1 inches.
Overall length: 179.1 inches.
Curb weight: 2,959 pounds.
EPA mileage rating: 24 city, 35 highway, 28 combined.
While an entry-level car is a welcome addition to Honda’s luxury brand, thanks to toned-down styling and dull performance, the ILX doesn't really offer much to get excited about.
The 2013 Acura ILX is based on the Honda Civic, though there isn’t much family resemblance. Its squat rear end recalls its Honda counterpart, but the ILX’s long, boxy hood is distinctly Acura.
The brand’s characteristic metallic “V” above the grill is present on the ILX, but it’s a toned-down version compared with what the rest of the fleet is sporting. In fact, everything about the ILX’s styling is toned down, smoothing and softening Acura’s typically hard angles. While this will probably help the ILX appeal to a wider audience, it certainly does not make it a head turner.
My test model was the base ILX, sporting a 2-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The engine’s modest 150 horsepower doesn't offer much in the way of power, and driving the ILX is fairly unremarkable, though perfectly fine for day-to-day commuting. The suspension isn’t particularly sporty either, but it offers a comfortable ride and the handling is nimble enough to allow for some fun.
Things probably improve considerably if you opt for the Premium model, which comes with a more-powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission. The ILX is also offered as a hybrid – a first for Acura – which offers 38-mpg and is based on the Civic’s popular hybrid powertrain.
My tester was came with the Technology package, which includes goodies such as 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, an upgraded stereo, leather upholstery and active noise cancellation. The interior retains Acura’s typical high-tech feel, with lots of buttons and dials, and the brand’s well-designed navigation system and in-dash computer are always welcome additions. There are a few nice tech touches, such as the ability to convert text messages to speech with the audio system, which comes standard on all the models.
Overall, the interior feels pretty bland, lacking bold or interesting design elements, and nothing about it feels particularly luxurious.
The ILX is quite spacious for a compact car, with well-designed seats and enough room in the back for average-sized people to fit comfortably. The trunk looks small from the outside, but it offers 12.4 cubic feet, which is pretty standard.
At a base price of about $26,000, the ILX offers a way to get into an Acura at a fairly affordable cost. But with its unremarkable looks and underwhelming driving performance, it’s missing Acura’s usual spark. Coming from a company that has brought us such great cars in the past as the sporty Integra, the ILX is a bit of a disappointment.
Details:
Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door sedan, front-wheel drive.
Engine: 2-liter inline-4, 150 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, 140 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm.
Transmission: 5-speed automatic with manual shifting.
Wheelbase: 105.1 inches.
Overall length: 179.1 inches.
Curb weight: 2,959 pounds.
EPA mileage rating: 24 city, 35 highway, 28 combined.
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