2014 Acura ILX Expert Review
Reviewed by Karla Sanchez
Vehicle Overview
Acura has gone looking for customers at the bottom rung of the luxury ladder with the ILX, and although it's mechanically related to the Honda Civic, the 2014 Acura ILX has its own demeanor. For those Gen Y'ers not quite ready to make the leap for more expensive Japanese and German rivals, the ILX is one to consider.
Available only as a four-door sedan, the ILX offers three powertrain options. The base version is motivated by a 150-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The racier ILX 2.4 model is fitted with a more powerful 201-hp 2.4-liter I-4 that comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. For the green-conscious, the ILX is also available as a hybrid, which utilizes the same Integrated Motor Assist hybrid powertrain found underneath the Honda Civic Hybrid's hood. The hybrid's 1.5-liter four-cylinder and electric motor produce a combined 111 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque, which is driven to the front-wheels via a continuously variable transmission. Although the hybrid will get you farther with its EPA rated 39/38 mpg city/highway, its major drawback is that it lacks a pure electric mode. While we like that each model is geared toward a specific audience, we don't like the strict packaging. For example, the sportier 2.4 models aren't available with navigation, or a six-speed automatic.
In a two-way comparison against the Buick Verano, the ILX 2.4 took the backseat, mainly because the Verano had several amenities that weren't available on the ILX, and also because of the un-luxurious-like loud cabin, which echoed with lots of road and wind noise. It's still a hoot to drive though, getting from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds.
What's New for 2014
The 2014 Acura ILX gets more standard features including 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, leatherette door liners, eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. Acura also added a new subwoofer and an Active Noise Cancellation system.
Key Competitors
- Buick Verano
- Lexus CT 200h
- Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- Audi A3
Sum Up
Could use Earth Dreams power
