2019 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)
24 city, 34 highway, 28 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The 2019 Acura ILX: A higher-end sedan with the mechanics of a Civic
The Acura ILX might lack the refinements of the small European luxury sedans it emulates, but it still makes a great pick for a sporty, fuel-efficient compact car with style. The ILX makes decent power (201 horsepower) and handles with athletic flair thanks to mechanical roots shared with the Honda Civic. There’s a generous set of standard features including a sunroof, heated front seats, and faux leather upholstery.
If you’re considering an ILX, consider a 2019 model. Acura added several driver-assist features — adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking — to every model. Options were pared back to three packages — Premium, Technology, and A-Spec — and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ finally arrived with all the packages. A classier grille design also streamlined the look.
The ILX isn’t as polished as alternatives like the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Lexus IS, or BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The interior isn’t as nice, the cabin gets noisy, and the ride is too stiff to qualify as luxury. Instead, think of it as a more upscale, full-featured Civic.
All Acura ILX years
What is new for the 2019 Acura ILX?
- The Special Edition trim has been discontinued for 2019.
- ILX trims have been upgraded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment this year.
- The Premium A-Spec trim now comes with Lane Departure Warning, Automated Cruise Control, and Leatherette Seats as standard equipment.
- The Technology A-Spec trim now comes with Leatherette Seats as standard equipment.
- The Base trim now comes with Automated Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Leatherette Seats, and Navigation System as standard equipment.
2019 Acura ILX trims
Base:
- 201-hp, 180-lb-ft of torque 2.4L
- Cruise Control
- Leather Seats
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Memory Seats
- Automated Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- View our Acura ILX inventory
Technology A-Spec:
- Includes all features available on the Base
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Rear Spoiler
- 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 2019 Acura ILX
What We Like
Handling performance: The ILX is a Honda Civic at heart, and Honda’s traditional focus on balanced suspension and snappy handling come baked into the ILX. It bends into turns with direct and responsive steering and remains stable over bumps. A thick-rimmed steering wheel lends weight to driving experience, and the engine’s enthusiastic hum at high rpm 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 enough to help the ILX earn top crash test ratings. They allow for excellent visibility to the back and sides, which helps not only during bouts of spirited driving but also with simple lane changes and merging. The outward visibility is a good thing too since the 2019 ILX only offered blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning on pricier Premium trims and above.
Fuel economy: The ILX returns an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined
What Needs Improvement
Ride comfort: While other entry-luxury models balance the firm suspension needed for tight and sporty handling with a comfortable ride, the ILX offers the former without the latter. It’s 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.
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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
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Traction Control
- Leather Seats
- Navigation System
- Parking Sensors
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
182.2"
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
2019 Acura ILX FAQ
The 2019 Acura ILX is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Base: 24 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- Technology A-Spec: 24 MPG City and 34 MPG Highway
- Premium A-Spec: 24 MPG City and 34 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 2019 Acura ILX has received an average 3.5 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2019 Acura ILX, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2019 Acura ILX Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2019 Acura ILX:
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Memory Seat(s)
- Automated Cruise Control
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