Acura ILX (2013) Review

Introduction

New Cars Reviews | Acura ILX (2013) Review | After having a decade of moving upmarket and farther away direct from entry-level buyer, acuras back with the use of a new-generation compact model, the 2013 ilx. Smaller and fewer expensive compared to the tsx, the ilx sedan is aimed at shoppers who might wish one thing slightly nicer and sportier compared to the typical mainstream sedan other then arent willing to actually step up to actually the higher expense associated with an established luxury car. Overall, the ilx is fairly capable of its mission. Nevertheless, youll conjointly need to actually be tuned in to the constraints in this strategy.

The 2013 acura ilx is predicated by the honda civic, other then its slightly longer and wider, and actually has unique styling that sets it pretty so much apart from its honda relative. Most importantly, there may be significant engineering and interior enhancements. Dismissing the ilx as simply a civic sporting acura badges could well be unfair.

Theres simply a one sedan body style, other then acuras creating up regarding the lack of coupe/hatchback choices by giving 3 distinct powertrain choices regarding the new ilx. The bottom ilx comes with the use of a modestly powered other then economical 2. 0-liter four-cylinder engine but a five-speed automatic transmission. Markedly additional performance comes direct from ilx 2. 4 and its larger, more-powerful 2. 4-liter four-cylinder. Unfortunately this model comes no more than with the use of a six-speed manual transmission. The third ilx model is that the frugal hybrid, which is certainly the very first few hybrid-electric vehicle from acura.

With the use of a comfortable ride, comparatively spacious interior and decent level of customary equipment, the bottom ilx may be a new and fascinating choice for buyers attempting to find an cheap entry purpose into your premium acura brand. The ilx 2. 4 is compelling currently being a low-key premium sport sedan, although it's expensive in relation to actually its absolute performance, and of course the lack associated with an automatic transmission limits its appeal. The ilx hybrid delivers smart -- though not outstanding -- fuel economy and likewise is relatively expensive.

The 2013 acura ilx is definitely of other then many choices obtain a truly entry-level car issued from a luxury brand. The buick verano is definitely such model. It's going to not provide a hybrid version, other then its less expensive to actually begin and offers a robust 250-horsepower engine upgrade additionally currently being a nicer interior. There may be conjointly the audi a3 and lexus ct 200h, 2 premium models worth cross-shopping in the ilx, like they provide hatchback utility and fuel economy similar to actually that of one's ilx hybrid.

One different aspect to actually contemplate is that the ilxs worth once youve loaded it up with choices. For the very same cash, you'll conjointly get a loaded version associated with a common midsize sedan maybe a ford fusion, kia optima or nissan altima. You'll conjointly save a race and contemplate loaded versions of one's dodge dart or ford focus. Much of these cars can provide the very same range of convenience and luxury features clearly as the ilx. Except for someone desiring a relatively cheap small sedan thats smart on gas and offers off a premium vibe, the ilx may be a sensible alternative.

Body designs, trim levels, and options

The 2013 acura ilx entry-level luxury sedan is available in six trim levels : base 2. Zero, base 2. Zero with premium package, base 2. Zero with technology package, base 2. 4 with premium package, hybrid and hybrid with technology package.

Customary equipment is pretty a lot of the very same for each the bottom 2. Zero and hybrid and includes 16-inch wheels, a sunroof, full power accessories, keyless ignition/entry, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate management, bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a rearview camera but a six-speaker sound system with the use of a cd player, an auxiliary audio jack, a usb/ipod audio interface and pandora integration.

Moving up to actually the premium trims gets you 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, foglamps, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver seat, a additional advanced rearview camera, active noise cancellation ( hybrid excluded ) and an upgraded seven-speaker sound system with satellite radio. Acura conjointly offers the premium package-equipped ilx in the 2. 4-liter engine configuration.

The technology trim ( oddly not on the market by the 2. 4 ) includes the equipment direct from premium package and adds a arduous drive-based navigation system but a surround-sound audio system with digital music storage.

Powertrains and performance

The normal engine for your own 2013 ilx may be a 2. 0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 150 hp and 140 pound-feet of torque. The major transmission offered may be a five-speed automatic that sends its power onto the front wheels. In edmunds performance testing, this powertrain brought the ilx from zero to actually 60 mph in 9 seconds. Thats average to produce a compact economy car other then slow to produce a compact making use of a premium badge. Fuel economy is pretty respectable at 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined.

The ilx along with the premium package will conjointly be had with the use of a 2. 4-liter four-cylinder engine thats rated at 201 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is normal ; an automatic isnt out there involving this configuration. In edmunds performance testing, the ilx 2. 4 went from zero to actually 60 mph in 7. 1 seconds. This is often average for each entry-level luxury sedans with the use of a base engine and regular midsize sedans with an upgrade engine. A few fuel economy is sacrificed in come for additional spirited performance, however not a lot of : the ilx 2. 4s ratings are 22/31/25.

The ilx hybrid uses a similar propulsion setup honda employs within the civic hybrid : a 1. 5-liter four-cylinder coupled with hondas well-known integrated motor assist, an electrical motor that acts as an occasional power booster and to actually convert braking energy into electricity, that is made to actually recharge the hybrid ilxs modestly sized lithium-ion battery pack. The motor and gasoline engine manufacture 111 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque.

A continuously variable automatic transmission is normal. Performance-oriented gearing unique onto the ilx hybrid produces fuel economy of 39 city/38 highway and 38 mpg combined, markedly lower than the civic hybrids 44 mpg across the board. We cant say it did a lot of for your own cars performance, though, just like the ilx hybrid goes from zero to actually 60 mph in 10. 4 seconds, that's truly slower when compared to the civic hybrid. Still, thats a similar currently being a lexus ct 200h.

Safety

The 2013 acura ilx comes normal with antilock brakes, stability and traction management, front seat aspect airbags, aspect curtain airbags and active front head restraints. A rearview camera can be normal.

In government crash tests, the acura ilx earned a high five-star rating for overall protection in crash tests, with four stars total for frontal impact safety and 5 stars for side-impact safety. The insurance institute for highway safety gave the ilx a high score of fine for your own cars performance in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. In edmunds brake testing, the ilx premium 2. Zero came to the stop from 60 mph in 121 feet, that's alittle higher than average. Curiously, the supposedly sportier ilx 2. 4 stopped in 130 feet, that's longer than average. The hybrid posted basically a similar distance.

Interior style and special features

The ilxs interior is impeccably well constructed, other then the materials used arent very a step up from high non-luxury sedans. Similarly, the look features acuras typical high-tech vibe, other then the within doesnt specifically scream luxury !

Nevertheless, if youre hunting for high-tech features to visit together with that high-tech vibe, the ilx positively delivers. You can find a 5-inch show screen topping the middle stack for your own myriad infotainment functions, and smartly placed buttons and knobs to actually management them. A 6-inch screen will have the navigation/upgraded audio systems. Another nice feature is even the bottom ilx audio has got the capability to actually convert sms text messages to actually speech.

Special care was employed in designing the seats to actually be supportive, nevertheless not offer the impression of confinement or hardness. The ilx can be pretty spacious to produce a compact car, with the use of a decent number of backseat area. Trunk area, at 12. 4 cubic feet, is average, and of course the opening is alittle narrow. The rear seat folds down to actually facilitate carrying longer items, other then the seatback isn't split to actually permit a combine of long cargo while a passenger or 2 within the backseat. The hybrid, because of its battery pack, drops to actually 10 cubic feet of area.

Driving impressions

Nobody goes to actually mistake the 2013 acura ilx to produce a bmw 3 series, other then overall performance is more often adequate for everyday commuting duty. The normal 2. 0-liter engines 150 hp delivers the kind of acceleration youd expect issued from a non-luxury compact car, other then the engine revs willingly and enjoyably, thus wringing one of the from it isn't an annoying task. The ilx hybrid is slower still, other then obviously edges from dramatically improved fuel economy. It cant accelerate using electricity alone, though, and of course the hybrid system isnt as subtle or seamless as that of the lexus.

The ilx along with the 2. 4-liter engine is a unique animal, as its sporting exhaust note and bigger horsepower translates to actually markedly quicker acceleration. Were conjointly quite hooked on the precision-machined action on your six-speed manual transmission, that one in every of the'>is amongst the easiest and the vast majority enjoyable to actually use in any car.

Acuras loyal band of driving enthusiasts can be disappointed that the ilx 2. 4 doesnt consist of any sportier suspension or steering calibrations, other then the ilx in general may be a sure-footed and pretty nimble car to actually pilot. The ride quality is an nearly ideal compromise between management and comfort, though the tires do seem to actually generate additional chatter throughout the cabin than wed like, as did the small imperfections of broken pavement.