2018 Acura ILX Road Test and Review

2018 Acura ILX Silver Front Quarter Parked ・ Photo by Acura

Acura cut its teeth and in many ways established its brand with small sporty coupes and sedans, first with the Integra and later with the RSX. These fun and affordable models quickly became beloved by young American enthusiasts looking for performance and luxury combined with legendary reliability. More than 30 years after the brand's 1986 debut, Honda's luxury division is best known for its popular SUVs and its NSX hybrid supercar. But Acura is still in the fun and affordable sedan business with the 2018 ILX, which is its least expensive and second-best-selling sedan.  

Built in Marysville, Ohio, right alongside the Honda Accord and the larger Acura TLX sedan, the front-wheel drive ILX competes with sedans from Germany such as the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The rear-wheel drive BMW 2 Series is also similarly priced, but it’s only available as a two-door coupe.

Powerful Standard Engine

With a base price of just $29,095, including a $995 destination charge, the 2018 Acura ILX costs thousands less than a Mercedes CLA or Audi A3. And all ILX models are powered by a smooth and high-revving 2.4-liter engine, which is the largest in its class. The four-cylinder’s 201 horsepower outmuscles the Audi and is just seven horsepower shy of the turbocharged Mercedes.

Acura offers the ILX in seven trim levels, with prices topping out around $36,000 for a Tech Plus A-Spec model like our test vehicle. Every ILX gets a smooth shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though all-wheel drive is not available like on its rivals. Although Acura continues to offer hybrid versions of its larger RLX sedan and MDX SUV, the technology is no longer available on the ILX. Every ILX comes with Acura’s cool-looking JewelEye LED headlights, a power driver's seat, heated front seats, a multi-view rearview camera, automatic on/off headlights, a power moonroof, Bluetooth, a 5-inch infotainment screen, keyless entry, push-button starting, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

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Important Upgrades for 2018

Acura first introduced the ILX sedan in 2013 and has continued to make improvements and upgrades to the model. These include an extensive restyle and mechanical overhaul in 2016 and significant advancements in safety and value for 2018. This year, AcuraWatch, the brand’s suite of active safety systems and high-tech driver aids, is available on all ILX models and it’s well-priced at just $1,300.

Also new for 2018 is a Special Edition trim package. For an additional $800, it adds 18-inch wheels and tires, stylish side sills, and the sporty rear spoiler from the top A-Spec package. These larger-diameter wheels and tires don’t just look racy, but they’re also wider than the standard 17-inch units, which puts more rubber on the road and enhances the sedan’s handling.

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Quick and Fuel-Efficient

With over 200 hp and an overall weight of only about 3,100 lbs, the 2018 Acura ILX is quick and fun-to-drive. It scoots off the line and the big 2.4-liter engine, which features variable valve timing, likes to be revved up, making peak power at 6,800 rpm. Use all it's got to give and the sedan will hit 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. That matches the performance of the Audi A3 and will leave the Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 in the dust.

Meanwhile, the Acura’s fuel economy is very good for this class. The EPA rates the ILX at 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, and I averaged 28 mpg in mixed driving. With front-wheel drive, the  CLA 250 is rated at 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway and the A3 is rated 26 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Unfortunately, the Acura requires more expensive, higher-octane premium gasoline, as does the Mercedes, while the Audi will run on more affordable regular.

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Family-Friendly Interior

At 181.9 inches long and 70.6 inches wide, the 2018 Acura ILX is essentially the same size as a Honda Civic. The Civic does have a slightly longer wheelbase than the Acura, which increases its rear legroom over the ILX, but the Acura’s back seat is accommodating. The ILX will seat four comfortably and five if the ride is short.

Standard rear-seat amenities include two cupholders in a fold-down armrest and three height-adjustable head restraints. Our loaded test car also had rear air conditioning vents. The LATCH connectors in the outboard seats are easy to use, and the three upper tether anchors are easily accessed, which will make younger parents happy. However, the rear seat is tight enough that fitting some reverse-facing child seats could be a problem without pushing the front passenger seat far forward. New parents should check if there’s enough space before buying.

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Generous Trunk Space

At 12.3 cubic feet, the trunk of the 2018 Acura ILX is also family-friendly. Although it’s slightly smaller than the trunk in the Mercedes-Benz CLA, it’s the same size as the trunk of the Audi A3. Every ILX comes standard with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, which easily folds flat for your larger items.

Storage inside the Acura’s interior is also sufficient and well thought out. The center console bin is large enough, and there’s another covered cubby ahead of the shifter. The front door pockets are small, but they have slots for water bottles. Although the ILX is the only Acura model that still uses a traditional shift lever (the others now have a compact push button design), its two front seat cupholders are large and well placed.

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High-Tech Interior

The interior of the 2018 Acura ILX is very similar to the interior of the brand’s MDX SUV. It’s a pleasing mix of dynamic design, dramatic shapes, and thoughtful ergonomics, and like the MDX it features two infotainment screens, which allows you to display the navigation system map and the audio simultaneously. One larger touchscreen is still preferable, but the Acura’s system is easily navigated with a little practice. Unfortunately, some of the system’s graphics look a bit dated.

The sporty front seats are well-shaped, very comfortable, and easy to adjust. Everything feels solid and durable, and visibility is excellent. Dual-zone climate controls are standard. If you pay up for the sporty A-spec trim, Acura adds suede inserts and contrasting stitching to the front seats, plus aluminum sport pedals, which look rich.

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Advanced Safety Systems

Every 2018 ILX is available with valuable active safety systems, which include a lane-departure warning, a forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and road-departure mitigation. Acura combines these systems in the AcuraWatch Plus package. Adding the Premium Package gets you a blind-spot monitoring system and a rear cross-traffic monitor. Our test car also included Acura's collision-mitigating braking system, which slams the brakes for you if you ignore the forward-collision warning. It works as advertised and isn’t tuned too sensitive like other systems we’ve tried. The ILX’s lane-keeping assist system is equally impressive, automatically steering gently to keep the sedan in the center of its lane.

Despite all of this technology and strong performances in crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does not rank the 2018 Acura ILX among its Top Safety Picks, a list of vehicles that does include the Audi A3. However, the ILX does have an overall safety rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Sporty Driving Experience

With its standard 17-inch wheels and tires, the Acura’s handling is more than enough for most buyers, but step up to its available 18-inch wheels and tires and the ILX becomes really fun-to-drive. Although we wouldn’t call it a sports sedan, our ILX test vehicle was very sporty, agile, and athletic. Its steering is precise and you can toss it into a turn with complete confidence. But that performance doesn’t come at the expense of a luxury feel. The suspension is compliant and comfortable. You can feel the road, which gives the car a youthful energy, but it rides well and soaks up rough roads like a sedan wearing a luxury badge should.

I was also impressed with the Acura’s eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is well-tuned and delivers velvety gear changes. It’s also alert and responsive, offering a downshift for more power just when you need it. Paddle shifters are standard, and shifting the transmission manually really makes this sedan engaging to drive, especially when it matches revs as you downshift.

Photo by Acura

Final Thoughts

Although it’s Acura’s smallest and least expensive model, the ILX looks very much like the brand’s larger TLX and RLX sedans. It’s not quite as aggressively styled as the Mercedes-Benz CLA, but its broad shoulders and sporty stance give it some exuberance, while unpretentious badging and elegant trim add an upscale sophistication.    

Overall, the ILX is comfortable, well-equipped, and fun to drive. It represents a strong value and offers a unique combination of luxury, style, and performance. If you’re looking for a sporty small-luxury sedan, the 2018 Acura ILX is a desirable overall choice.

Photo by Acura