Used 2019 Acura ILX for sale 

ILX is Acura’s entry-level sedan and brings the most number of shoppers into the Acura’s showroom. Though there is no direct kin to the ILX you can still go with advanced packaged which evolves this barebone luxury into a more tasteful and capable sedan. The base version of the ILX starts as low as $26,895 and goes all the way up to $31,550 with the Technology and A-spec package. Other packages like the Premium packaged could be added for more convenience features. However, none of these upgrades reached the mechanical aspect of the car. There is just one engine and transmission option and a front-wheel drive on the ILX.

Acura explains the ILX as meticulously- crafted which is somewhat right. In the name of entry-level luxury, Acura features a number of additional packages with a galore of convenience features that have been added to the ILX.

Which trim should you buy?

Your basic Acura ILX is not much of a value for money proposition without the Premium package, it manages to keep the price low and at the same time add all features you need. However, you will miss out on the benefit of navigation.

Honda's engineers installed the ILX with a 2.4L Inline-4 engine mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The powertrain can amass 201 horsepower and 180-pound-feet of torque. The power delivery is linear and refined to the front wheels of the car. The entire car is constructed to be more aggressive right from the engine's growl to the firm tuned suspension. The transmission is smooth and keen to grab the next gear. Its movement is buttery and better than the usual automatic transmission used by the competitors.

It is seamlessly synced with the engine, the downshifts are smooth, and upshifts balanced for the economy. You will not get an instant dose of power in the Normal mode but the Sports mode manages to stay in the powerband.

The 2019 Acura ILX sedan is one of the most powerful car in its segment. However, it all matters how the power is put down and this is where the ILX lacks behind its German rivals. The Subaru WRX sedan on the other hand is the most powerful car here but also the most expensive.

How fast is the 2019 Acura ILX Sedan?

The slightly aggressive sound of the engine might pump you up for a blast, but the lack of a turbocharger results in a mild start. You won't feel your front wheels firing up with torque.

The engine's athletic prime emerges after 4000 rpm after which it pulls till the redline. One thing which will have a lasting impression is the smooth transmission and instant response as soon as you press the throttle.

While the Acura ILX sedan is fast when compared to the Japanese rivals, it is no match in comparison to most of its German counterparts. However, the Acura is much cheaper and it might not be a valid comparison.

Ride and Handling

Right from the stiff suspension to the sporty seat placement, Acura has planted hints of sportiness all over the ILX's driving mechanism. Starting off with the wheel, it feels heavier than its predecessors but it's still light for a first-time driver. Road communication is not that loud but the direct response makes up for the lost feel. Take it for a spin and you will notice the good traction, the ILX feels glued to the road even small bumps. Though it feels sporty there are not many sporty cosmetics in the suspension, it feels stiffer than the usual Acura. Still, that car suffers from a notable body roll.

In terms of handling, the steering is quick and direct to respond. It also offers good feedback but can feel a tad bit heavy under certain circumstances.

Braking 

In terms of braking performance, the Acura ILX sedan offers good stopping power. The brakes feel sharp but not too sharp with a responsive pedal feel. You don't need to wire your brain in a different way, the brake pedal is quite limber when it comes to controlling. During hard braking, the car doesn't wobble and manages to maintain its line. 

The ILX does need an update when it comes to tires as they give up easily if you put the car through a torture test. The front brakes on the ILX are rated are 12.3 inches and 11.1 inches respectively which is one of the biggest in its class.

Being an entry-level luxury Acura, the ILX delivers decent fuel economy numbers. You won't need to fuel up the ILX after every few kilometers. In the city, Acura musters 24 mpg mileage while on the highway it stretches the number to 34 mpg. Together the combined fuel economy is rated at 28 mpg which is quite good but not the best in its class.

The Honda Civic thanks to using the smaller engine as compared to the competition. It is far ahead with a great marginal difference for the kind of miles it can do in a gallon. The Subaru WRX has a tendency to drink more, so the boxer engine is not really put to churn out miles but horses instead. The Mazda shines too with subtly better efficiency than most cars compared here.

The seats sit high above the ground with a lot of thigh support and foot support. though the armrest sits relatively lower. The interior is straight out of last year's civic minus the quality. It feels plasticky, cheap, and doesn't feel qualified to compete with other luxury sedans in the competition. Though the back legroom is a little low and might be unfit for longer routes. Visibility is good, the only germ infecting the ILX's visibility is the fat pillar, rear everything is easy. Features such as synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a moonroof, a 5-inch display, a six-speaker audio system, and Siri Eyes Free add to the level to technological sophistication.

The interior seems below average and there are frequent creaks over the hard plastic material. You can fit 5 adults in the cabin with ease. The front seats are spacious with 38 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom space. On the luxury angle, you have 6 way heated and ventilated front seats and 3 way heated outboard seats.

In the name of practicality, the ILX is not that giving. The 12.4 cubic feet of cargo is what you will get, which is the average in the segment. Practicality goes downhill inside the cabin due to the lack of cubby holes so be prepared to adopt minimalism. Kia and Ford lead the gang here for the kind of storage capacity it has. Mazda 3 is a very practical car otherwise, does fall short of cargo space. And Acura too follows the same suit. 

Interior Features

• Climate Control
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Sport Seats with Leatherette upholstery
• 8-Way Power Driver Seat with Power Lumbar Support
• Heated Front Seats
• Rear center armrest with cupholders
• Foldable Rear Seats
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Start/Stop Button
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

What's there to keep you entertained?

The 2019 Acura ILX features 8-inch dual-screen infotainment parted into the dash one over the other. Though it's not a touch screen you need to control every feature through a rotary knob which is not that precise. The interface graphics look outdated though it is quite user-friendly.

You still have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the ILX. The standard infotainment system comes with a rather boring 5-inch display. You also get a USB port, Bluetooth, a six-speaker audio system, and Siri Hands-Free as standard.

Infotainment Features

• SiriusXM Compatibility
• Bluetooth and USB Audio Interface
• Pandora Compatible
• Auxiliary Input Jack
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible
• Siri Hands-free

Acura has not only updated the interior with the 2019 model year but also the exterior. Thus, the ILX gets subtle changes from a style outlook. The most visible change comes to the front grill, they binned their previous sliver grill and swapped in a new diamond pentagon grill. It's not the most striking sedan like but Acura is going for an exclusive design away from the look. Honda's shadow.

Other changes are equated to the taillight and front and rear bumpers. You get a rear lip spoiler and a single exhaust. Enough to add a little character but not as appealing as other entry-level luxury sedans.

Acura builds a decent executive but it's not that sizeable as other cars in the lot. However, it has the smallest wheelbase in its class.

Some of the prominent exterior features include:

• Power Moonroof
• Remote Operate Windows
• LED Headlights with Auto On/Off Function
• LED Fog Lamps
• Heated Side Mirrors
• Decklid Spoiler
• Acoustic Glass Windshield
• Chrome Exhaust Tips 
• Rear Diffuser

The 2019 Acura ILX earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a top rating of Good in all IIHS crash tests. This shows how serious the brand is about the safety of its cars. Now you get Acura's signature AcuraWatch suite which consists of a number of safety suits like emergency braking, road departure mitigation, even adaptive cruise, and more as standard.

• Emergency Braking Assist
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Advanced Front and Side Airbags
• Side Curtain Airbags
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
• Rear Cross Traffic Monitor
• Lane Keeping Assist System(LKAS)
• Multi-View Rear Camera
• Blindspot Information system
• ACE Body Structure
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Road Departure Mitigation(RDM) System 
• Collision Mitigation Braking System(CMBS)

Kia Optima Vs Acura ILX

The Optima is one car with a decent threshold on the sedan market. It has a reasonable price, sufficient power, and a rich standard feature list. The interior is great factoring with the price of this sedan. Compared to that the Acura looks inferior. The A-Spec package adds touches of red suede seats which is a great improvement.

The 2 infotainment screen was supposed to be an improvement but at the end of the day, one screen will always win the battle of being intuitive. The ergonomic numbers go neck to neck with each other. Acura delivers more power and but is also priced a little more.

Honda Civic vs Acura ILX

The Honda Civic and the Acura ILX are cut from the same cloth, but Honda put their heart in crafting the Civic while the ILX is modeled on the previous version of the Civic. Though the base level Civic is backed with decent power but not quite potent like the Acura.

The interior is tasteful and Civic's reliability and handling prowess are unprecedented. In terms of efficiency, Honda is the class leader, which is more of a reason why you are better off with the Civic. Also, the availability of engine options makes it even more

Subaru WRX vs Acura ILX

The Subaru WRX sedan has earned a reputation for being a rally monster, its handling is its most lethal weapon on tacks and on off-road tracks. It's the civilized sedan a family guy wished to buy. The power is top-notch and the price is a little over the top but it's essential for a car with off-road capabilities. Compared to the Acura the WRX will surely look more intriguing, but then again the ILX is an entry-level luxury and is a more efficient and sensible choice.

If you are running tight on budget then the ILX is a nice choice but if you can spend more go for the WRX which will completely rock your world.

Still based on the last generation's Honda Civic, the 2019 Acura ILX sedan is below average for a car launched as an entry grade luxury; it feels like a baseball team with no pitcher. It does score high in terms of handling as well as comfort and standard features. This year's updates are more on the technology and design front than the mechanical aspects. The interior feels plasticky and cannot beat the uber vibe of its sibling car the Honda Civic. The ILX has 2 infotainment screens but it feels distracting and at times confusing to use. Overall it's a solid offering in the executive segment but buying it's as an entry-level luxury might not be the best idea especially with other cheaper and better options available.