2018 Acura ILX review
Acura ILX highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Ample features for the price
- Lively handling
- Solid fuel economy estimates
Cons
- Disappointing, plastic-laden interior
- Stiff, unrefined ride
- Clumsy infotainment interface
Mileage (EPA estimate)
25 city, 35 highway, 29 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Shop with your budget in mind
The 2018 Acura ILX: A budget-friendly luxury sedan
The 2018 Acura ILX is a good car with an identity crisis. It aspires to be a small, sporty luxury sedan, but isn’t as polished as alternatives like the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, Lexus IS or BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The ILX makes decent power and handles with vigor, but acceleration is slow and the ride is harsh. The Acura offers more features at a lower price, but the savings are reflected in hard plastic cabin trim, a distracting dual-screen tech interface, and a noisy interior.
It’s better to think of the ILX as a nicer Honda Civic, the car on which the ILX is based, rather than a true entry-luxury sedan. Like the Civic, the Acura is fun to drive and fuel-efficient (with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined) but with a more sophisticated design. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov. The Mazda 3, another car with luxury aspirations, is a comparable rival that outclasses the ILX in some areas. The 2018 ILX version didn’t change much from the prior year, adding only a Special Edition package with minor cosmetic extras.
All Acura ILX years
What is new for the 2018 Acura ILX?
- The ILX is available in a new trim called the Special Edition.
2018 Acura ILX trims
Base:
- 201-hp, 180-lb-ft of torque 2.4L
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seats
- View our Acura ILX inventory
Special Edition:
- Includes all features available on the Base
- Leatherette Seats
- Rear Spoiler
Technology A-Spec:
- Includes all features available on the Special Edition
- Automated Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Navigation System
- View our Acura ILX Technology A-Spec inventory
Premium A-Spec:
- Includes all features available on the Technology A-Spec
- No significant upgrades found on the Premium A-Spec
- View our Acura ILX Premium A-Spec inventory
Acura ILX photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Acura ILX
What We Like
Handling performance: The ILX is a Honda Civic at heart, with Honda’s characteristic balance of taut suspension and sporty handling baked in. It turns into curves with direct and responsive steering and stays composed over midturn bumps. A thick-rimmed steering wheel lends weight to driving experience, and the engine’s enthusiastic hum under acceleration is an added bonus.
Visibility: Driving with any kind of gusto requires good sightlines, and the ILX offers clear, unobstructed views all around. The structural pillars are narrow but strong — the ILX earned the government’s top five-star crash test rating, after all — and allow for excellent visibility to the back and sides. This helps not only during bouts of spirited driving but also with simple lane changes and merging. The ILX’s outward visibility is a good thing too since the 2018 ILX only offered blind-spot warning and similar driver-assist features on pricier optional trim levels.
Fuel economy: The ILX gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined (25 mpg city/35 mpg highway).
What Needs Improvement
Ride comfort: The ILX falls short of its luxury target with its stiff ride. Other entry-luxury models balance a firm suspension, necessary for tight and sporty handling, with a compliant ride that subdues the shaking and jostling from rough roads and potholes. The ILX missed the ride-comfort memo and is simply too stiff and unyielding, almost to the point of distraction. Big bumps will toss you around in your seat, and taller passengers may find themselves brushing the headliner over nastier road rash.
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Acura ILX an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Acura ILX 1st out of 25 among Luxury Compact Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Acura ILXAcura ILX features and specs
Base 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Traction Control
- Automated Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather Seats
- Leatherette Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Navigation System
- Parking Sensors
- Satellite Radio Ready
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.4L
Horsepower
201
Torque (ft-lbs)
180
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
13.2
Wheelbase
105.1"
Overall length
181.9"
Width
70.6"
Height
55.6"
Leg room
F 42.3"/R 34"
Head room
F 38"/R 35.9"
Front tires
P215/45VR17
Rear tires
P215/45VR17
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2018 Acura ILX FAQ
The 2018 Acura ILX is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Base: 25 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway
- Special Edition: 25 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway
- Technology A-Spec: 25 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway
- Premium A-Spec: 25 MPG City and 35 MPG Highway
The Acura ILX received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks the Acura ILX as 0 out of 25 among Luxury Compact Car
The 2018 Acura ILX has received an average 4.0 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Acura ILX, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Acura ILX Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Acura ILX:
- Special Edition
- Cruise Control
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Front Seat Heaters
Research other vehicles
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.
We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.