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2019 Acura ILX review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Acura ILX highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability 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

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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

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.

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.5 out of 5

6 customer reviews

RepairPal reliability rating

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

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

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

Optional Features

  • 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

Acura ILX articles

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