2013-2014 Acura ILX 2.4 Review and Road Test

[@bybchucky]

I found the ILX to be the perfect blend--just enough luxury to make the commute enjoyable, while at the same time not having to break the bank keeping up with maintenance cost, etc.

[@MW97058]

Your review literally convinced me to buy a 2014 ILX 6MT :) Love it after two weeks. Thank you!!!

[@mikethebeginner]

I've had the 2014 version of this car for a month and this review pretty much nails it in all aspects. For me (age 57) it's a perfect car--a Civic Si without the GenX boy-racer vibe going on, more elegant and restrained in appearance. (The last Si I drove I simply couldn't have bought, because the seats were way too narrow.) It's still a WWD (wrong wheel drive) car, but RWD doesn't work here in Wisconsin. I have a little more trouble with the seats than the reviewer, but on the other hand I love the engine noise that he complains about (it is on the loud side, though, he's absolutely right about that). It's a really, really nice motor, and he's right, the clutch is good and the and the shifter is, well, glorious. And I'm pretty picky about manuals. I thought I might have some complaints with this car because I thought the little annoyances I noticed at first would get worse with time, but the opposite is happening--I'm getting used to it, settling in and enjoying it more as the days go by. (the car and I are bonding.) One problem is that I got pulled over on about Day Five--it's just such fun to throw this car around. And he's right, the car is fantastic to run up to the redline. Torque off the line is nothing special but get the revs up and the engine responsiveness is so wonderful you can forgive any other shortcoming. Oh, and the stereo is outstanding. I've been an audiophile for 40 years, with two full big-rig systems in the house. I gather these aren't selling well but I really feel I've found the perfect car for me. I love it. And it's built in Indiana, where I'm from.

[@privatezeron]

Do you still have yours? This might be my "upgrade" from my aging 2004 TSX.

[@bybchucky]

Great review Alex, as always. I actually just bought a 2013 ILX Tech Pkg last month, and got a great deal on it. I am, too, surprised that it hasn't sold better. I was in the market for a reliable car that I can drive to and from work, but didn't want an econobox car with a rental feel. Then again, I drive a lot for work, and didn't want a super expensive luxury car that will be worn out in a relatively short time.

[@bobbyboyce6174]

So I own this exact car. I owned alot of Hondas in my life. I used to have a RSX type S.. my ILX is awesome. I wanted a SI but I'm coming up on 40 so I did research and boom ILX perfect, Peppy, reliable non turbo kinda luxurious lol but it feels old school like my Integra type R. I love it. Iv had it for a year and a half now and I put around 25 thousand miles on it. I plan on having it for a very long time. The cool thing about my car too us nobody has one.. so it's a rare Honda which means it holds it value.

[@SL_barn]

Yup, you nailed the ILX's short comings, but you also highlighted its strong points. I have an ILX 2.4 and honestly, it's so much fun to whip around that I just don't care about it's noisy-ish interior. It also looks so slick in Crystal Black Pearl - the proper colour for this car for sure. The gear box is an absolute delight, and I am getting fantastic fuel economy as well. I see it as a great value, considering in Canada there isn't a whole lot of "luxury" you can buy for under $30,000.

[@jacktyler7599]

Another comprehensive review, looking at the detail while including the competition. Excellent job, Alex. And Lordy, that ILX is noisy on wind-up! Reminds me of the FL-CA trip I made in my son's Civic SI. It handled well but I'm sure the ILX would also wear on my out on the road. Keep up the good work, Alex - you are among the my few 'go to' reviewers when I want soup-to-nuts on a vehicle.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I'm honestly surprised that is hasn't sold in better numbers. I think that perhaps selling to the Forte/Corolla/Civic/Sentra/Cruz crowd as a more premium alternative could be a good angle for them. Honestly viewed as an alternative to the main-stream econobox I found the ILX very attractive.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

And here I thought I liked it. Admittedly not as much as the Buick, but since I have a "brand" problem with Buick (I don't have a hip replacement yet) I would be more likely to buy the ILX.

[@nmende00]

I have to agree. Honda placed the ILX pricewise between two competent midsize cars: the American Honda and the European Honda (Acura TSX).Either one offers better handling and more room than the civic based ILX. The old integra sold based on performance. They need to focus on making it more performance oriented to compete with the Lexus IS otherwise it's just a really nice civic.

[@drumttocs8]

I have no problem driving a Civic with a cooler body style and better interior... that's why I currently drive an RSX :P

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I agree to some extent. Knee locations should always be soft IMHO. The logic usually is several fold. The upper dash is a "touch point" where people may poke/grab/whatever and soft plastics feel more premium. Somewhat more practically there is a visual difference between hard and soft plastics that some people will pick up on. In general the softer plastics hold up better against minor scuffs and abrasion because they have some "give" to them.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Part of the reason may be that some manufacturers are unsure about direct injections and long term carbon build up on the valves. It could be an unwillingness to jam it in a high volume engine at this time.

[@AlwaysBeSmart674]

I bet this would outlast any of the other cars its being compaired with and cost alot less to maintain

[@Ecuador006]

And gets less pussy

[@bluehunnids887]

@@Ecuador006 False

[@kimblem.w9952]

@@bluehunnids887 Are you dumb? It's literally a manual civic with leather. Super cheap to maintain while having enough pep to get you around

[@Me_Bites]

@@bluehunnids887 Elaborate

[@damilolaakanni]

Maybe except the Lexus CT200h. The early models had headgasket problems (as did the related 3rd generation Prius), but once the issue has been resolved, it will last a very long time with regular maintenance.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It depends on the trim level you compare the ILX and Civic to. Either way I think the ILX is a great deal. Once you account for the extra feature content the MSRP's true delta is only a few thousand. Worth the price in my book. Oddly I think Acura would be best served marketing to that crowd saying "look at the ILX, its snazzier than your compact car, has a luxury car badge, leather and handles like a go-kart for not much more."

[@marccandrift]

Just have to point out that in 3000rpm, 6th gear cruising on freeway is not loud at all and thats actually half the 7200 rpm which is great. If anyone is in the market for a used Civic Si, purchase a used Acura ILX 2.4 theyre about the same price and you get more out of the ILX !

[@richiel215]

Excellent, thorough review.

[@mx5hong]

I agree with you in regarding the ILX as a alternative to the Civic Si sedan. But there are some nagging give and take. At least with me. With the Si, it comes with a helical limited slip differential. But the ILX comes with HID headlights. Also, you can get summer tires with the Si and a navigation system. I guess it all comes down to your tastes and priorities.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Preaching to the choir my friend. I would love it if they put the Accord's new EarthDreams engine under the hood. (Supposedly they will put the tech in the Civic soon, but no word on engine displacements.)

[@yelp1000]

For every out of the park sales success Honda releases, they always seem to release a corresponding sales dud. Case in point the new MDX and RDX are doing really well, while the RLX and ILX are only moving with heavily subsidized leases and below projections ... this ILX was supposed to sell 40k units per year and is well below that.

[@DustyPearl-13]

Great review, but I feel you are a little bit biased towards the Acura ILX!

[@aw2023q]

Thank you for the detailed rear seat review!

[@hbk1012]

"Buick and Acura are not far apart" What f'n planet are you living on?

[@Dark0blivion]

I think you were being very polite at 3:30 :) I'm not sure they could design a more boring rear if they tried...

[@mamba109]

9:35 What I don't understand about these new cars is the decision to put the soft touch squishy on the dash and then hard plastics on the bottom. I'm pretty sure they know our knees are down there, so you would think they would switch the positions and put the soft touch on the bottom.

[@nmende00]

True, but Honda has gambled on adding direct injection to their high volume Accord.The power and fuel efficiency advantage it gives should draw buyers away from Camry. The ILX will never be a BMW 3 series competitor but it doesnt make sense to buy a 1.8L ILX vs Accord. The Accord has better handling, more power, more room, and better fuel efficiency without needing premium gasoline.They could replace the 2.4 and 1.8 with the Earth Dreams 2.4. Acura should be testbed for new tech, not Accord.

[@nmende00]

It's not 7K difference. MSRP is only 5K difference between the, and with discounts closer to 3-4K .Acura is quieter, has better warranty plus 4 years roadside assistance.

[@nmende00]

What I dont understand is the lack of Direct injection and a 6 speed auto in the 1.8L ILX, then it might make sense. The 1.8L in the ILX is a dud. It requires premium fuel and has a 4 mpg drop in city mpg for a 10hp and 12 lb-ft torque increase; seems like an excessive increase in fuel cost for such small gain in performance.

[@Dc5Bullet]

Acura ILX= New generation Acura Integra sedan

[@coffeekhan]

Wow! No split in the back seat? I can get that in the Civic EX or EX-L. I know, for some people, it isn't a big deal . . . but it would be a deal breaker for me. The Accord went that route too, and that really is too bad!

[@doanster]

What road were you driving on, Alex? Looks like a great place to take any vehicle for a spin!

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

That is Alma Bridge Road in Los Gatos, CA.

[@TheMakfather]

I have a 2015 ilx dynamic manual.. I love it... just having a trouble finding replacement front shocks! The dealer has them but the price is too expensive.. any ideas or hints? I live in Montreal canada btw

[@DawidAugust]

Wish the Acuras were readily available in Europe...here we have Hondas only:(((

[@Silver1080P]

He actually prefers the handle so he can more easily close the trunk when he goes into hibernation

[@aquateen77723]

I would still get the Civic Si sedan. Is a badge worth 7K? Some would say yes,.

[@emiliomacias645]

please review the Lexus CT!

[@nmende00]

Add a turbo and direct injection to the hybrid. Add direct injection and 8 speed auto for the 2.4L. Add direct injection and 6 speed auto for the 1.8L.

[@lexusfan100]

those 2 vents for the passenger are big for the interior size. i think they are not the right proportion

[@jasontodd15]

love acura...too bad its not available in Aus...

[@HybridEnergy]

How come Acura gets extra attention to the fact it's based off it's less luxury brand like Honda when the fact is all Asian companies do that? It's not like the GS350 lexus isn't based on the Camry...cause it totally fuck is.

[@HybridEnergy]

***** I didn't say US companies aren't on it either.

[@bcomes1550]

You acting like Audi isnt a dressed up version of a Volkswagen and shit..

[@bcomes1550]

You acting like Audi isnt a dressed up version of Volkswagen and shit..

[@SIIKAP1]

No it’s not. The ES350 is based on the Camry. The GS is not...

[@theofficialcomment]

GS was based off the Crown, not the camry

[@MEALTeamSixx]

Does this car use premium gas?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It is recommended but not required.

[@thingsdemystified]

MEALTeamSix Alex on Autos Acura's website says that the ILX requires premium unleaded 91. Not sure why you say it's not required.

[@bcomes1550]

Because it's recommended NOT REQUIRED ! ^ ask any Acura technician

[@thingsdemystified]

Bcomes I will put regular gas in my car if the manual states that it is acceptable to do long-term.

[@bcomes1550]

You're a fucking sheep.

[@oliverwelsh8246]

it looks like you get the same cars CNET does

[@darvelbidenisapuppet7275]

Ok if you want a car that gets better MPG is easier to drive is not a manual has navigation and is 3k cheaper go test drive the 2014 mazda3 S touring. Buick ? really? Well if you want to keep a mechanic employed its a solid choice.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Buick has come a long way, I'm as amazed as anyone, and they are posting reliability numbers that beat Acura and Honda by a slim margin the last few years.

[@darvelbidenisapuppet7275]

I just had a girlfriend rave on about the new buick she test drove with the Turbo 4 and from what i have ben reading I see why she is choosing it over the VW GLI she was so adamant about previousley. Its tough for younger peeps to get an interest in Buick brand. For me after owning a buickin my younger years , buying a new one would feel like walking back into that old bar that I got gang stomped in weeks earlier befor I could even order a drink.

[@something19912]

Alex on Autos the last few years, that's it?? lol try about 10 years, yeah that's what I thought.

[@rJayisawesome]

.....................................guys...............................I just wanna see about the ILX................................why do you talk about every car but it throughout?

[@NothingNowhere4]

ILX type s coupe..

[@codacreator6162]

One simple reason I wouldn't choose Buick over Acura: fugly.

[@davehouston6528]

Buick? What are you like 75 years old. 😆 🤣

[@Biddybalboa]

navigation sucks i'd rather use my phone then have it built into my car

[@oneoleqt]

Brown Chicken Brown , lol

[@mrangulo0]

Engine noise is not a problem. Of course you get more engine noise from a vtec motor wich has a high performance cam . You sir don't know what enjoying vtec sound is.

[@AldoTL90]

what a negative review....

[@sarmensito]

noise coming in to the cabin lol let me guess you know nothing about hondas :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[@thingsdemystified]

This car does not look good. Acura needs to hire someone to make their cars look better, a whole lot better!

[@SIIKAP1]

Your taste is terrible.