All-New 2021 ACURA ILX TECH A-SPEC Walkaround Video Review.
19If the thought of parking a Honda Civic in your driveway is just too low-brow for you, consider its country club-raised cousin—the ILX—which wears the Acura badge on it's trapezoidal grille. Under the hood of every ILX is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that drives the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the ILX won't keep pace with turbocharged rivals such as the Audi A3 and the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe on a twisty road, it delivers a smooth and agreeable ride for those looking more for luxury than sportiness. The ILX's downfall is its out-of-date tech, starting with an infotainment system that is laughably obsolete, especially since the base model doesn't even come with a touchscreen display—even the Civic offers that standard. The ILX received a styling refresh for the 2019 model year, but in order to remain competitive it is in need of a thorough overhaul.
The 2021 ILX is one of the best deals among subcompact luxury sedans. We think that value is optimized with the optional Premium and Technology packages. While both bring a host of luxurious upgrades, their highlights include leather upholstery, upgraded infotainment features, more driver assists, and the full-zoot ELS audio system. The A-Spec package may give the illusion of enhanced performance, but the kit only supplies superficial improvements that aren't worth the dough.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The sole powertrain is a 201-hp four-cylinder with front-wheel drive mated to a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine revs easily and although the ILX isn't the quickest car in its class, its character makes us pine for the VTEC-powered Honda and Acura sedans from years gone by. Handling is poised and confident, but not particularly memorable; road and wind noise permeate the cabin here more than in rivals such as the Audi A3 or the Mercedes-Benz A-class, especially at highway speeds. Still, the smallest Acura sedan has excellent brake-pedal feedback.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
As with other cars in this segment, the Acura ILX's cabin is roomy for the driver and the front-seat passenger but cramped for those in the rear. Standard equipment is plentiful and includes a sunroof, heated sport seats with power adjustments for the driver, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, the dashboard design looks outdated compared with the slick-looking screens that adorn the dash of the A-class. While its interior cubby storage is nowhere near as useful as inside the Civic, the ILX has a large trunk that is begets the sedan's subcompact classification.
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