Main Navigation beebs
Skip to main content

2019 Acura ILX review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

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)

6 photos
Price
Year
Mileage

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.

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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment this year.
  • Leather Seats features are now available as options on select trims.

2019 Acura ILX trims

Curious how Acura ILX trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

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:

Premium A-Spec:

Acura ILX photos

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

, similar to the Audi and Mercedes small sedans that the ILX aims for and better than its Japanese rival, the Lexus IS 300. It even offers more power than the Audi and only slightly less than the Benz. All for less money too.

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.

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.

Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.3 out of 5

4 customer reviews
4
1
2
Excellent

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 ILX

Acura ILX features and specs

Technology A-Spec 4D Sedan 2WD

Standard Features

  • Power Locks
  • Leather & Suede Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • ABS Brakes
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Power Mirrors
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Air Conditioning
  • Rear Defroster
  • Smart Key
  • Rear View Camera
  • Traction Control
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Power Windows
  • Side Airbags
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Leatherette Seats
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Alloy Wheels
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Apple CarPlay
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • CD Audio
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Android Auto
  • 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

P225/40VR18

Rear tires

P225/40VR18

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2019 Acura ILX FAQ

The 2019 Acura ILX has received an average 4.5 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.
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 1 out of 25 among Luxury Compact Car
Here are the pros and cons of the 2019 Acura ILX: Pros - Reliability - Seat Comfort - Value Cons - Fuel Economy - Styling - Dashboard
Here is what's new for the 2019 Acura ILX:
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Android Auto
  • Leather Seats
The 2019 Acura ILX offers the following fuel efficiency options: • Gas: 24 city / 34 highway MPG (Base trim) • Gas: 24 city / 34 highway MPG (Premium A-Spec trim) • Gas: 24 city / 34 highway MPG (Technology A-Spec trim) Actual mileage may vary based on driving conditions, vehicle condition, and driving habits.

* Price excludes state and local taxes, title, registration, tags, and any optional products or services. Price assumes that final purchase will be made in the State of AZ, unless vehicle is non-transferable. Vehicle subject to prior sale. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions. Limited warranty is 30 days. See store for details. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.

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.