2019 Acura ILX Review
The 2019 Acura ILX arrives with a completely fresh face and a $2,200 price cut to take on the premium subcompact sedan segment, but it's still based on the same old bones of the previous generation Honda Civic, trying to remain relevant with updated tech and safety. It's got the Audi A3 sedan and new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan to battle with so the ILX has a tough task ahead of it in the premium segment. Fortunately, a redesign isn't all the ILX packs for 2019, as it now features an updated interior, a revised infotainment system, more features than ever, and standard AcuraWatch safety features to bolster the value proposition. Based on the previous generation Honda Civic, the ILX still soldiers on with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter motor, which could be to its detriment against turbocharged rivals.
What's the Price of the 2019 Acura ILX?
For a model as well-equipped as the ILX is, its a surprise to see the cheapest variant, the base model priced at just $25,900 before the addition of tax, licensing, and an $875 destination fee. Above that, the Premium carries a base MSRP of $27,650, while the Technology is priced from $29,550. The Premium A-Spec is marginally more expensive at $29,650, while the range-topping Technology A-Spec is the only ILX to break through the 30k mark at a price of $31,550.
2019 ILX Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182.2 in | 105.1 in | 55.6 in | 70.6 in | 59.4 in | 60.2 in | 3,095.0 lbs |
2019 ILX Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
The ILX is geared towards comfort far more than performance, and to that end so is the suspension setup, which offers a supple, compliant ride without being overly floaty and disconnected from the road. It's definitely tuned for comfort and benefits from the old Civic underpinnings by striking a fine balance between comfort and composure. But while the ILX's suspension filters out road imperfections, the rest of the ILX does a poor job of filtering out road and tire noise compared to other premium rivals. In fact on anything other than mirror smooth roads, the noise that permeates the cabin makes the ILX feel cheap, even if the bumps themselves aren't getting through. It's the weakest aspect of the ILX's ride and is made worse by the fact that some of the plastic panels tend to rattle over bumpy roads. Higher speeds also yield substantial wind noise, as you can hear the airflow over the windscreen and side mirrors.
Performance isn't really at the forefront of the ILX's repertoire, and the drive isn't one that emphasizes fun jaunts along a twisty road. The steering is light, offering minor feedback but requiring minimal effort. This makes it agile at low speeds but uninspiring at pace - ideal for a comfortable commuter. It's not the kind of steering that builds trust though, so you're never searching for the limits of the ILX's handling ability and feel very divorced from the whole experience. The brakes are strong and offer great pedal modulation without being grabby or overly servoed, and under emergency braking, they act quickly and without pulling the vehicle to one side or the other.
2019 ILX Interior
2019 ILX Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 6 Years / 70,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2019 Acura ILX A Good car?
The Acura ILX should be playing in the premium segment but doesn't make the grade. The rest of the package has failed to live up to the exciting new looks, with the result being the 2019 ILX feels like an old car trying to remain relevant when the rest of the world has simply moved on. The aged, previous generation Honda Civic platform and build quality make the ILX feel tacky, and the ergonomics are behind the times. It might well be a well-equipped vehicle, but against the Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class sedan, it's definitely found wanting with an archaic drivetrain and uninspiring drive. For the same money as the Premium ILX, you could have a fully loaded Civic Sedan in Touring trim, which offers improved ergonomics, interior space, a turbocharged engine, a vastly better, more engaging driving experience, and a far more premium feel overall. The premium badge on the nose doesn't cut it here - which is a great disappointment given the new look is thoroughly impressive.
What Acura ILX Model Should I Buy?
Considering the ILX isn't really dominating the segment, it seems silly to spend an awful lot on a higher specification model. To that end, we feel the Premium model offers the best value for money proposition, giving buyers necessary niceties like leather upholstery, power seat adjustment, and full smartphone connectivity, as well as added safety in the form of blind spot monitoring. You can manage without onboard navigation as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have you covered, and the ten-speaker ELS audio system isn't a necessity. The A-Spec is merely styling, so we recommend you save the money and stick with the Premium model.
2019 Acura ILX Comparisons
2019 Acura ILX vs Acura TLX
With a modicum of overlap between the pricing of the ILX and its bigger brother, the TLX, buyers may be persuaded towards the larger offering from Acura. But is bigger better? From a spaciousness perspective, definitely, and the TLX offers roomier accommodation and more trunk space than the awkwardly packaged ILX. It also boasts a higher quality interior befitting a vehicle occupying a higher premium segment. Both offer similar performance, powered by the same 2.4-liter engine with the TLX acquiring a little more power. However, the TLX gets the option of a more powerful V6 higher up the model tiers, and while gas mileage takes a dive, performance is vastly improved. The TLX is also more refined when driving, and offers more consistent dynamics than the erratic ILX. Ultimately, the TLX is a better vehicle, but it may also cost you more if you want to go fully-specced.
2019 Acura ILX vs Honda Civic Sedan
Acura is the upmarket sub-brand under the Honda umbrella, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Honda Civic Sedan is going to play second fiddle to the premium ILX. The Civic is a relatively premium vehicle itself, and it combines the best aspects of practicality, frugality, and an exciting drive, in a highly specified, yet affordable package. So affordable, in fact, that only the full specced Touring model is more expensive than the base level ILX. The ILX derives more power from its naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine, but the smaller 1.5T available on higher Civic trims offers turbo-torque, and pairs sprightly performance with gas mileage estimates that leave the ILX for dead. The Civic feels dynamically more talented, too, more fun to drive on a twisty road and more refined in suburbia. While the ILX may boast some premium materials inside, it's still based off the last generation Civic, leaving bits of tacky plastic hidden just out of sight, and flawed in one crucial aspect - space. The Civic, despite for all intents and purposes being the junior sedan, is more spacious and feels more refined inside, too, all while offering the same high levels of tech at a lower price. If you can overlook the badge-snobbery, the Civic is a vastly superior vehicle on a budget.