Vehicle Tested
| 2013 Acura ILX Premium
Base Price: $29,200
At-Tested Price: $30,095
Built in Greensburg, Indiana.
Options
None
Engine: 2.4-liter I4
Transmission: Six-Speed Manual
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive
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Acura expands the reach of its brand with the entry-level ILX. Introduced at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, the ILX is based on the Honda Civic and is built in Greensburg, Indiana. Available only as a four-door sedan, the ILX competes with vehicles like the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series, Buick Verano and Volvo C30.
Compared to Acura's larger TSX, the ILX is six inches shorter and 2.5 inches narrower. ILX seats five on twin front buckets and a three-place folding rear-bench seat. Three models are offered: Base, Premium and Technology. All have four-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive.
Standard engine is a 2.0-lliter four-cylinder with 150 horsepower. It comes with a five-speed automatic. Available on the Premium is a 201-horsepower 2.4-liter four that's also used on the larger Acura TSX and Honda Civic Si. The only transmission offered with that engine is a six-speed manual. Offered on Premium and Technology models is a hybrid powertrain that combines a gas engine and electric motor to provide a combined 111 horsepower.
Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, wiper-activated headlights, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights and dual-front, front-side and curtain-side airbags. A rear-view camera is included on Premium models.
The list price for the value-leading Base is $25,900. It comes with air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, split-folding rear seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, keyless access and starting, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with digital-media player connection and USB port, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic headlights, theft-deterrent system, 205/55R16 tires and alloy wheels.
The $29,200 Premium adds to the base leather upholstery, heated front seats, eight-way power driver seat, rear-view camera, upgraded sound system, satellite radio, automatic day/night rearview mirror, fog lights, HID headlights and 215/45R17 tires.
Technology models list for $31,400 and add to the Premium navigation w/voice recognition and real-time traffic information, Dolby sound system, music hard drive and universal garage door opener. Hybrid drive system offered on the Premium and Technology models adds an additional $3000.
As per Acura practice, not factory-installed options are available. All ILX models have an $895 destination charge.
Get Up and Go The base 2.0-liter four provides adequate acceleration and nothing more. It provides a 0-60 mph time of about 10 seconds. That's below average for the class and somewhat disappointing. Thankfully, the engine is smooth and mates well to the slick-shifting automatic. The 2.4-liter provides spritely acceleration around town and good highway passing power. The engine will push the ILX from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds, which is on par with vehicles like the Buick Verano.
ILX's hybrid system is similar to the one used in the Honda Civic. As the vehicle cannot operate in electric only mode, it's not as sophisticated as some. That means fuel economy isn't as impressive as full hybrids, but is better than conventionally powered vehicles of similar size. The hybrid powertrain and CVT combo provide seamless, albeit somewhat uninspired, acceleration.
EPA fuel economy estimates are quite impressive. The 2.0-liter Base comes in at 24/35 city/highway mpg. Premium models with the 2.4-liter net 22/31 mpg. The hybrid is rated at 39 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. The only downside is that Acura recommends premium-grade fuel for all engines.
Real-world fuel economy is just as impressive as the EPA numbers might suggest. When driven with a light-throttle foot, the 2.4-liter will average 35 mpg all day. Hybrid and 2.0-liter models should be even more impressive.
On the Road The suspension settings are the same on all ILX models, so the differences in ride comfort and handling are a product of the larger wheels and tires on the Premium and Technology models. That said, all models ride with a fair amount of comfort that belie the car's diminutive size. The ride is, no-doubt, firm but offers a fair amount of comfort on badly broken roads. The suspension does an excellent job of minimizing secondary motions and controlling acceleration squat and brake dive.
Though ILX feels sporty when the roads grow twisty, there's no denying its economy-car roots. The front tires give up grip too quickly and there's a fair amount of lean when pushed too quickly into a corner or on-ramp. Steering is quick and accurate and the brakes have plenty of stopping power.
As expected in a luxury car, road, wind and tire noise are nicely suppressed. All engines are smooth and quiet in gentile cruising. The 2.0 and hybrid powertrains seem to strain a little in hard acceleration.
Dynamically, the ILX comes across exactly as you'd expect. It's not nearly as sporty at the TSX or European rivals, but certainly more responsive and athletic than traditional subcompact fare.
Behind the Wheel ILX's interior doesn't deviate one iota from traditional Acura style. It's upscale and modern with hints of techno and luxury. Materials are on par with competitors, fit and finish is excellent and there are plenty of soft-touch surfaces. The meaty center armrest is a nice touch for a car of this size.
Drivers face two large and easy-to-read dials in a minimalist instrument panel. The center stack features Acura's typical blending of audio, climate and navigation controls. Though fairly well laid out, the climate controls are a trifle low. Available navigation system is easy to program. Ancillary controls for windows, lock and mirror are on the driver's armrest
Front seats are comfortable. Head and leg room are adequate, but taller drivers will want a bit more room for both. Thanks to thin roof pillars and a large rear window, visibility is great. It's also quite easy to get in and out.
As you'd expect, the back seats are not as adult friendly. Still, most grownups will find leg and head room sufficient and the flat floor is a nice, carryover touch from the Civic. Doors are narrower than the fronts and that complicates entry/exit a bit.
Trunk space is average for the class, but trunk-lid hinges eat into cargo space and hybrid model makes due with a smaller trunk and fixed rear seatbacks. When those seatbacks do fold on conventional models, they leave a three-inch step in the load floor that complicates loading bulky items. Interior storage is comparable to others in the class, highlighted by a modest glove box and center-console bin. Map pockets are a trifle small.
Bottom Line ILX is a very interesting car. It smartly blends the highly efficient Honda Civic chassis with Acura techno-luxury features. It's sad that the zippy 2.4-liter engine is only available with manual transmission, though. Upscale urban buyers who are looking for a touch of luxury and a dash of technology would be hard-pressed to find a better value. Its closest competitor is the new Buick Verano, so shop both and buy the one you like best.
Specifications 2013 Acura ILX Premium
| Dimensions
| 4-door sedan | Engine
| DOHC I4
| Wheelbase, in.
| 105.1 | Size, liters/cu. in.
| 2.4 / 144
| Length, in.
| 179.1
| Horsepower | 201 @ 7000
| | Width, in. | 70.6
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 170 @ 4400
| | Height, in. | 55.6 | Transmission | 6-Speed Manual
| Weight, lbs.
| 2978
| EPA MPG
| 22 city / 31 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 12.3 |
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| Fuel Capacity, gal.
| 13.2
| Warranty | Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 4 years / 50,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 37.8
| Powertrain
| 6 years / 70,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 42.3
| Corrosion
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 35.9
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 4 years / 50,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 34.0
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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