Acura Hopes to Woo Young Shoppers With All-New 2013 Acura ILX

For the 2013 model year, Acura adds a new entry-level luxury sedan to its stable. Dubbed the Acura ILX, this upscale, yet fairly affordable, model is hitting dealer showrooms in the hopes of pulling in some additional young shoppers. With the goal of building lifelong brand loyalty, Acura sweetens the deal by offering a fuel-efficient hybrid option. Keep reading to get an in-depth look at the 2013 Acura ILX and review specs, pricing and features.

Styling: 2013 Acura ILX

True to the Acura nameplate, the 2013 ILX boasts a solid combination of sportiness and refinement. The exterior exudes just a hint of flash, but is overall a somewhat reserved vehicle. Built on the same drivetrain as the Honda Accord, it might be safe to say the ILX is a dressed-up version of its more affordable stepbrother. Though, it should be noted that the Civic has a more cab-forward design.

Inside, the compact sedan receives the same console controls as the Acura TL. Early reviews suggest the level of comfort is posh enough to please front-seat drivers. While rear legroom may prove a little scarce for taller drivers, the backseat is also fairly comfortable for the class. Trunk space comes in at 12.3 cubic feet for standard engine models and 10.0 cubic feet cubic feet for the ILX Hybrid.

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Performance: 2013 Acura ILX

The base powerplant for the Acura ILX comes in the form of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Mated to a five-speed transmission, this engine delivers 150 horsepower. If that seems a little too ho-hum for you, then the upgrade 201-hp 2.4-liter upgrade may be more up your alley. According to the EPA, base 2.0-liter models promise 24 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway (28 mpg combined). The more powerful 2.4-liter drops those figures down to 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway (25 mpg combined).

The Acura ILX will also be the first Acura available with a hybrid engine. This inaugural fuel-saver combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, electric engine and continuously variable transmission to deliver 39 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway (38 mpg combined).

Review full 2013 Acura ILX specifications

Safety: 2013 Acura ILX

Standard safety features for the Acura ILX include six airbags (including full-length side curtain airbags), antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, stability control and a tire pressure monitoring system. A multi-view rear camera is available as an option. Crash tests for the ILX have yet to be performed by both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

Pricing and Features: 2013 Acura ILX

Initial asking price for the 2013 ILX is listed at $25,900. This price is about as low as it gets when it comes to the luxury market. Standard features for the sedan include 16-inch alloy wheels, power sunroof, automatic dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, push button ignition, 5-inch color display, Bluetooth, 6-speaker stereo, USB/iPod integration and Pandora Internet radio interface.

Available options include sport seats, leather upholstery, 8-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, 17-inch wheels, premium 7-speaker stereo, GPS-linked temperature control and HID headlights. Upgrade 2.4-liter models start at $29,200 and come with unique styling features such as ebony sport seats. The 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid starts at $28,900.

Find a 2013 Acura ILX dealer near you.