2013 Acura ILX

In a step back toward its roots, Acura, Honda’s luxury division, is once again offering a less-is-more entry level luxury compact car. Slotted below the TSX, the 2013 Acura ILX is somewhat reminiscent of the 1986-2001 Integra, but outfitted with more luxury.

And, like the Integra before it, the ILX shares its platform with the latest generation Honda Civic. However, don’et dismiss the ILX as just a dressed up Civic with an Acura nameplate; there are noteworthy engineering changes and interior refinements.

Non-hybrid models are available in four trim levels and two hybrid ILX trim levels are available. These six possible iterations are made up of base, Premium, Technology trim packages.

More specifically, the base non-hybrid ILX is equipped with a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission and starts at $25,900. For lots of wahoos, the ILX Premium non-hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter, 201 horsepower four connected to a close-ratio six speed manual shifter and is priced at $29,200. Alternately a five-speed automatic transmission version of this 2.4-liter Premium trim level is available for the same price. And as a third 2.4-liter option, the non hybrid ILX is available with a Technology package, five-speed auto, and MSRP of $31,400.

The green version is the ILX Hybrid, Acura’s first ever hybrid offering. This is ironic considering Honda was the first carmaker to introduce a hybrid, the Honda Insight in 2000. Borrowing the hybrid system from the Civic Hybrid, the ILX Hybrid has a base price of $28,900; add the Technology Package and the price jumps to $34,400.

The sedan comes in three distinct flavours: First, the base ILX with a 2.0L, four-cylinder engine with 150 HP, which is paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. It starts at $27,790. Acura’s Premium package ($29,990, adding features such as leather seating, rearview camera and heated front seats) and Tech package ($32,290, including features such as ELS Surround audio system and navigation system) can be added to the base model.

The new Acura ILX is available with three engine options
Second, the $29,990 ILX Dynamic comes with a 2.4L engine that pushes 201 HP. This model is mated to a six-speed manual transmission (no automatic is available). It comes as a Premium model, but the Tech package cannot be added to it.
Third, Acura introduces its first hybrid offering, which starts at $34,990. It uses the same 1.5L engine with a combine 111 HP that the Honda Civic hybrid uses. But, it is a sportier ride when compared to its Civic counterpart.

The verdict? Well, across the board, the ILX has done well with its interior. It has a serene cabin that’s ultra quiet on the road. Acura’s instrumentation hasn’t changed too much. A big, bulging knob sits in the middle of the console and acts as the main control for scrolling through menus and playing with the navigation screen. It works as advertised (which can’t be said for all infotainment controls), so no real fault on Acura’s part to include the similar setup here. And the leather seats from the Premium Package are quite nice – stiff enough to keep you planted when driving for hours, but still comfortable enough to slouch into when sitting shotgun.

Styling, Cabin and Features

Styling won’t have you running to the closest Acura dealer; however, the ILX is quite handsome, albeit a tad conservative. Kudos to the designer who toned down Acura’s current overly large, nefarious chrome grille that certainly grabs attention, but for the wrong reasons. The new face has a slender version of the grille that is accented with thin, tapered lower air intakes and gets attention for the right reasons – it’s good design.

Distinct hood creases, pronounced side character lines and shapely rear wheel arches project a sculpted appearance that quietly says luxury. There is little to distinguish the Hybrid from the other two models, just a small rear deck lid spoiler and the now obligatory discrete hybrid badges.

The ILX cabin coddles its passengers in typical Acura fashion. That means comfortable and well equipped. The dash design follows the larger TL sedan’s curved shapes that give the interior a well-crafted appearance of understated luxury. White on black conventional gauges are well lighted and easily readable. For a quick glance at the myriad infotainment features, a five-inch info screen is placed atop the center stack.

Front seats are supportive in the right places and a standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The rest of the ergonomics are straightforward, the switches and controls are high quality and everything is assembled perfectly.

This is compact car so, two rear seat passengers have adequate room, but nix a third person. And, since it’s a hybrid, the battery robs trunk cargo room, reducing it to 10 cubic feet versus 12.3 for its gas-only siblings.

Following Acura’s tradition, the base ILX Hybrid is very well equipped: keyless access with push-button ignition, heated exterior mirrors, speed sensing wipers, leather steering wheel and shift knob and of course, power windows and outside mirrors as well as cruise control. There’s no need to upgrade to the Technology package for features like Bluetooth, a USB port and voice text messaging because they are standard.

Acura doesn’t offer a list of options, rather the company bundles them into packages. The $5,100 Technology Package is the only upgrade available for the Hybrid model. It includes a navigation system with voice recognition, AcuraLink communication system, leather seating, driver’s eight-way power seat, heated front seats, Xenon HID headlights and rearview camera. For music aficionados with long commutes, the ELB surround sound system is excellent therapy.

ILX Hybrid in the Marketplace

Acura says the target customers for the new ILX are the younger members of Generation X and members of Generation Y – successful 20- and 30-somethings moving into the luxury car ranks but looking for high-value propositions in their purchases. The automaker is counting on this group of buyers to become longtime Acura customers.

The ILX Hybrid’s only direct hybrid competitor is the Lexus CT 200h. It’s just $220 more than the Acura and its 43-city/40 highway fuel economy bests the ILX. However, Lexus will soon be dropping the 200h from the lineup, leaving the ILX as the least expensive luxury hybrid.

Acura considers Audi’s A3 a competitor, even though it is not a hybrid. Indeed, the A$ TDI diesel offers excellent fuel economy – 30 city and 42 highway – and has a base price of $30,250, $1,350 more than the ILX.

The ILX fills a gap in Acura’s lineup that has been missing for some time and opens door for new buyers wanting to step up to a premium car without a premium price. The added bonus is there’s a premium hybrid without a premium price.

Prices are Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of publication and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing.