2018 ILX Interior
While it does have a soft-touch upper dashboard, classy and clear instrumentation, and a dual-screen infotainment interface on higher specification models, the ILX's interior is nevertheless lacking in perceived quality, passenger space, and imaginative design. From a quality perspective, some plastics lack the substance you'd find in a German sedan. Hard plastics are used in several areas, but at least the switchgear operates with a reassuringly robust feel. The dual-screen infotainment system isn't ergonomically sound and can prove distracting to use. More worryingly, headroom is a problem both front and rear for even passengers of average height, so even though the seats themselves are comfortable, taller drivers and passengers will not be happy. Standard equipment includes leatherette-trimmed seats which are heated in front, an eight-way power driver's seat, automatic dual-zone climate control, push-button ignition, and a six-speaker audio system. Unfortunately, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't available.
2018 ILX Interior Photos
Seating and Interior Space
The ILX provides seating for five passengers, but none of them have a generous amount of available headroom, especially those at the back. While a standard sunroof is appreciated, this feature eats into already limited headroom, even for passengers of average height. More competitive is legroom, which is good both at the front and rear, and foot space beneath the front seats is excellent. The rear floor is also flat, making it easier to accommodate a passenger in the middle rear seat. The driving position is mostly good, but a lack of adjustable lumbar support and insufficient lateral bolstering is disappointing. Side armrests are also positioned too low to be ultimately useful. Ingress and egress are satisfactory, but ingress does require one to duck down a bit more than usual, the first sign of the limited headroom. From the driver's seat, there is a clear view out all around thanks to narrow pillars - only the A-pillars result in a slightly obstructed view when turning into a corner.
2018 Acura ILX Interior Dimensions:
Acura ILX Trims | Base | Special Edition Package | AcuraWatch Plus Package | Premium Package | Premium & A-Spec Package | Technology Plus Package | Technology Plus & A-Spec Package |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Headroom Front Seat | 38 in. | 38 in. | 38 in. | 38 in. | 38 in. | 38 in. | 38 in. |
Headroom Back Seat | 35.9 in. | 35.9 in. | 35.9 in. | 35.9 in. | 35.9 in. | 35.9 in. | 35.9 in. |
Legroom Front Seat | 42.3 in. | 42.3 in. | 42.3 in. | 42.3 in. | 42.3 in. | 42.3 in. | 42.3 in. |
Legroom Back Seat | 34 in. | 34 in. | 34 in. | 34 in. | 34 in. | 34 in. | 34 in. |
Shoulder Room Front | 55.6 in. | 55.6 in. | 55.6 in. | 55.6 in. | 55.6 in. | 55.6 in. | 55.6 in. |
Shoulder Room Rear | 53.5 in. | 53.5 in. | 53.5 in. | 53.5 in. | 53.5 in. | 53.5 in. | 53.5 in. |
Hip Room, Front | 50.3 in. | 50.3 in. | 50.3 in. | 50.3 in. | 50.3 in. | 50.3 in. | 50.3 in. |
Hip Room, Rear | 51.7 in. | 51.7 in. | 51.7 in. | 51.7 in. | 51.7 in. | 51.7 in. | 51.7 in. |
Interior Colors and Materials
The ILX range is available with three interior colors: Parchment, Ebony, and Graystone. However, if the A-Spec Package is specified, Ebony is the only color option. Base, Special Edition, and AcuraWatchPlus models use leatherette trim for the seats, while Premium and Technology models feature perforated leather-trimmed sports seats. A-Spec models are unique with their perforated Lux Suede seating surfaces, contrast stitching for the interior trim, Ebony headliner, and aluminum sport pedals. The steering wheel and gearshift lever are leather-wrapped on all models.
2018 ILX Trunk and Cargo Space
The ILX offers 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, identical to what an Audi A3 sedan offers, but marginally down on the Mercedes-Benz CLA's capacity. The more affordable Honda Civic offers a useful 15.1 cu-ft of space. While the trunk opening is large and practical in its design, a standard-sized suitcase won't be able to stand upright as the depth is limited. The rear seat can be folded down, but unfortunately it doesn't have a split folding design - this means that expanding cargo space while still accommodating one or two rear seat passengers won't be an option for ILX owners. The trunk lid also doesn't have a handle to make closing the lid easier.
Inside, storage space is no better than average. The door pockets are tiny and the same goes for the front bin. More useful is a center armrest that is big enough to store most odds and ends, while rear passengers get a center armrest with beverage holders. Only the front passenger seat has a map pocket for rear passengers.
2018 Acura ILX Trunk and Cargo Space Photos
2018 Acura ILX Cargo Dimensions:
Acura ILX Trims | Base | Special Edition Package | AcuraWatch Plus Package | Premium Package | Premium & A-Spec Package | Technology Plus Package | Technology Plus & A-Spec Package |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trunk Volume | 12.3 cu. ft. | 12.3 cu. ft. | 12.3 cu. ft. | 12.3 cu. ft. | 12.3 cu. ft. | 12.3 cu. ft. | 12.3 cu. ft. |
2018 ILX Infotainment and Features
Features
Base ILX models are fairly well specified, but the most appealing features are to be found higher up in the range by way of adding one of Acura's available packages. Every ILX comes standard with LED headlights, a power sunroof, and heated side mirrors. Inside, Base models - as well as those specified with the Special Edition or AcuraWatchPlus Packages - get two-way heated seats up front and an eight-way power driver's seat. Dual-zone climate control, a keyless access system, push-button ignition, cruise control, and a multi-view rear camera are standard features on all models.
The AcuraWatch Plus adds a range of driver assistive and safety features such as adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, and lane keeping assist. The Premium Package boasts four-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat, rear cross traffic monitor, blind spot information system, and memory settings for the driver's seat.
Infotainment
No matter which ILX model you choose, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are unfortunately unavailable, as Acura continues a staggered rollout of these integrations across its various models. The standard audio system on Base, Special Edition, and AcuraWatch Plus models uses six speakers and features Pandora compatibility, a USB audio interface with iPod integration, Bluetooth streaming audio, and auxiliary input jack. Smartphone connectivity includes Bluetooth HandsFreeLink as well as email/text message reading. A multi-information display is included but these lower-rung models do without the dual-screen interface. The benefit of this is that infotainment functions are actually easier to access with hard buttons instead of the somewhat clumsy touchscreen.
Upgrading to the Premium Package brings with it a seven-inch touchscreen, and although usability has improved over time, a well-sorted single-screen layout is still simpler to operate. Premium also adds a sub-woofer, Aha and email compatibility, Siri Eyes Free, iPhone AcuraLink navigation app connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and HD Radio. The Technology Package enhances infotainment with an ELS premium surround sound system with ten speakers, Acura's navigation system with 3D view, and AcuraLink real-time traffic alerts.