2020 Acura ILX Review

　　

2020 Acura ILX Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　The Acura ILX received a handful of updates last year, including new front-end styling, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, more safety features and, in a rare twist, a lower price. The changes advanced the ILX's mission of offering a luxury badge with lots of standard equipment at a bargain price.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Acura ILX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$166/mo  for ILX Base

　　ILX Base

　　4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM) - $25,900 MSRPPremium Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM) (Most Popular) - $27,750 MSRPTechnology Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM) - $29,650 MSRPPremium and A-SPEC Packages 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM) - $29,750 MSRPTechnology and A-SPEC Packages 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM) - $31,650 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Nothing changes for the 2020 model. That's not necessarily a bad thing — the ILX still represents a good value. But it also means another year of rival automakers introducing more compelling entry-level luxury sedans. In general, the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz A-Class are better cars in almost every aspect.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.0/10

　　How does the ILX drive? Overall, the ILX is underwhelming to drive. Acceleration is sluggish, and you really have to dip into the gas before it picks up. Passing on the highway and accelerating on an on-ramp are fine, but just a step or two behind what you experience in the class leaders. Performance from the brakes and steering are equally lackluster. Emergency braking distances are longer than average.

　　The ILX improves when experienced at a higher pace, with relatively agile handling. There's a moderate amount of body roll, but the ILX works with it and feels mostly composed. Better tires could go a long way since the standard all-season rubber doesn't match what the ILX feels like it could deliver. The dual-clutch transmission is a high point, with quick, smooth shifts and none of the low-speed lurching you'll find in less refined transmissions.

　　

Comfort

6.5/10

　　How comfortable is the ILX? The ILX doesn't meet our standards for how comfortable a luxury car should be. The driver's seat is comfortable enough, with decent bolstering and soft cushions, but it lacks the same level of adjustment you'll find in competitors. The cushions only go so far to smooth out the ILX's less-than-stellar ride. It feels a bit too firm all the time. While that quality helps the car feel sporty and nimble, it also means the ILX crashes over bumps.

　　The cabin is just too loud too. The idle is rough, and the buzzy engine's exhaust note never goes away. There's also a good bit of wind and road noise, especially at highway speeds. You just don't get the same level of isolation as you do in other cars in this class.

　　

Interior

6.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Acura's two-screen infotainment system is disappointing. It's unclear what information gets sent to which display without pulling out the menu, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay appear on the top non-touchscreen display. The menus aren't intuitive to navigate, and overall it's several steps behind the class leaders. Controls not linked to the infotainment system are much better. They're easy to read and reach, and most major systems have dedicated buttons.

　　The relatively roomy interior is let down by a driver's seat that won't go down far enough. On more than one occasion, one of our test drivers hit his head on the roof when driving over large bumps. Otherwise, there is ample legroom and shoulder room, and backseat passengers won't feel confined or compressed. The view out of the ILX is also fine, with large windows and relatively thin windshield pillars.

　　

Technology

6.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The ILX is way behind the times in terms of tech. The infotainment system is the same one you found in Honda and Acura products five or so years ago and hasn't been updated since. The two-screen setup is frustrating to use. The audio quality is fine for audiobooks and podcasts but lacks pop when playing music.

　　Likewise, the ILX's driver aids feel a generation behind the leaders. The system is cautious and unrefined, sending up false readings on multiple occasions. The adaptive cruise control leaves large gaps and doesn't work below 20 mph, a major knock since that's when these systems are often most useful.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The ILX's storage is a mixed bag. Most modern small sedans have places to hold a phone and door pockets large enough to store a bottle of water or two. The ILX does not. The center console is a decent size, but the bin in front of the shifter is small and the front door pockets are narrow. The rear lacks pockets altogether. The 12.4-cubic-foot trunk is a nice size and roomier than the trunks of cars such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but the trunk hinge design cuts into overall storage.

　　Things are a bit more sunny when it comes to installing child safety seats. The rear doors open relatively wide, and there's a decent amount of space. Larger rear-facing seats might be a tight fit, but that's not unusual for vehicles in this class. The outboard rear seats both have car seat anchors that are relatively easy to access.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Acura ILX gets 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We managed an impressive 33.3 mpg on our evaluation route. That's as good as or better than just about every other entry-level luxury sedan.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the ILX a good value? The ILX is priced significantly less than its rivals. It's not lacking features either. There's also a decent suite of standard driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. In interior quality, it isn't quite as premium as other luxury sedans, but it's a step up from what you'll find in most cars at this price point.

　　The warranty and ownership experience is typical. Acura offers a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. You also get four years/50,000 miles of roadside assistance, though there's no included maintenance as you'll find with some rivals.

　　

Wildcard

6.5/10

　　The ILX looks sharp. The design is handsome without feeling overdone, and there are obvious connections to Acura's other models, including the NSX. The interior too looks pretty good, though it's not quite as good-looking as the exterior.

　　Unfortunately, it's not quite as good to drive as it looks. The ILX shares some mechanical bits with the old Honda Civic Si, including the 201-horsepower 2.4-liter engine. The issue is that the power is all at the top end, so you really have to work to get peak performance. And while the chassis feels pretty nimble, the lifeless steering dampens much of the fun.

　　

Which ILX does zzdcar recommend?

The ILX with the Premium package combines a low price with all the features you'll need. You won't get the navigation system included with the more expensive Technology package, but Apple and Android smartphone integration lets you use your favorite nav app anyway.

　　

2020 Acura ILX models

The Acura ILX starts with a reasonably well-equipped base trim level and offers three major upgrade packages. All trim levels use a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (201 horsepower, 180 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The ILX is front-wheel-drive only.

　　Key to the ILX's appeal is its generous list of standard features, which include premium touches such as LED headlights, a sunroof, simulated leather upholstery and heated front seats. The base model's tech entertainment is fairly basic, with Bluetooth streaming audio and a six-speaker sound system.

　　The AcuraWatch suite of safety features and driver aids comes standard. It includes forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

　　Choosing the Premium package brings additional driver aids, leather upholstery, a better stereo system and, critically, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you want navigation, you'll need the Technology package, which has the Premium's features plus a 10-speaker sound system and Acura's connected services. Finally, there's the A-Spec. It's primarily an appearance package — with unique exterior and interior trim plus 18-inch wheels — that can be paired to either the Premium or Technology package.

　　

2020 ILX Highlights

Trim: BasePremium PackageTechnology PackagePremium and A-SPEC PackagesTechnology and A-SPEC PackagesBase

　　

Base MSRP	$25,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$166/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles