LIKES
- Decent power
- Nice gearbox
- Good safety tech
- Often discounted
DISLIKES
- Cramped interior
- Limited standard phone tech
- Expensive options
- So-so handling and ride
BUYING TIP
The 2021 Acura ILX is cheap for a luxury badge, but it’s not especially luxurious.
What kind of vehicle is the 2021 Acura ILX? What does it compare to?
The ILX is the gateway to the Acura brand, and it’s worth shopping against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 2-Series, and Honda Civic, among other small and mid-size sedans.
Is the 2021 Acura ILX a good car/SUV?
The ILX scores for the basics, but little more. This sedan is based on a Honda Civic design from about a decade ago, and it’s outpaced by just about every rival. We rate the ILX at just 4.7 out of 10.
What's new for the 2021 Acura ILX?
The ILX carries into 2021 unchanged. A redesigned model is expected soon—or Acura may simply pull the plug on this slow-selling model.
The ILX pairs a 2.4-liter inline-4 rated at 201 horsepower with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The engine and transmission are a sweet combination, but they’re no match for so-so handling and ride.
The ILX has comfortable enough front seats, but rear-seat riders won’t find much space and the trunk is fairly small. The interior design and materials reveal too many humble origins, too.
On the flip side, the ILX has done well in crash tests and comes with more standard safety gear than most of its rivals. Additionally, its fuel economy is still relatively competitive even though there’s no thrifty hybrid version.
How much does the 2021 Acura ILX cost?
Four basic versions of the ILX are available, each considered a package building on a roughly $27,000 base price.
At the very least, the $2,000 Premium Package is a worthwhile upgrade for its Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, its upgraded audio, and its leather upholstery that help the car feel more like an entry-level luxury sedan rather than a gussied up compact car. That’s where we’d stop when it comes to options since the A-Spec package at $2,000 adds sporty looks but nothing of real substance, and the $1,900 Technology Package greatly erodes the ILX’s value.
Where is the 2021 Acura ILX made?
In Greensburg, Indiana.
Styling
The 2021 Acura ILX is a dowdy-looking sedan.
Is the 2021 Acura ILX a good-looking car?
Not really. The ILX has the brand’s six-sided grille flanked by wide headlights with nifty LED details, but that’s where the luxury stops and the economy car begins. From the side, the ILX has an awkward look not helped by a largely forgettable tail end. We rate the ILX at 4 out of 10, and we think that’s a generous figure.
Inside, the ILX isn’t much better with a busy design and so-so materials. Honda’s own Civic is much more attractive both inside and out.
Performance
We like the ILX’s sporty transmission, but it’s still not a truly fun car.
Is the Acura ILX 4WD?
No, the ILX comes only with front-wheel drive.
How fast is the Acura ILX?
We rate the ILX at just 5 out of 10 for performance.
The ILX is based on the last-generation Honda Civic, a design that didn’t exactly impress when it launched back in 2010. Updates over the years haven’t made the ILX much more fun, especially when you figure that the latest Civic is a sharp-handling sedan with impressive turbo power.
The ILX A-Spec is mostly an appearance package, though it does add 18-inch alloy wheels that slightly improve grip while degrading ride quality. Spend your money elsewhere.
Comfort & Quality
The 2021 ILX doesn’t live up to luxury standards inside.
The Acura ILX has a dowdy interior that’s not much to look at and isn’t very comfortable either. It’s worth just 3 points on our scale due to limited head room and barely enough trunk space for a couple of small suitcases.
Up front, the ILX has comfortable enough seats wrapped in synthetic or real leather, but the standard sunroof cuts into head room. At 38 inches, the ILX will have taller drivers brushing the headliner. The situation is no better at the rear, though leg room is acceptable.
Trunk space measures up at just 12.4 cubic feet, barely more than some sports cars.
Safety
The 2021 ILX comes with lots of collision-avoidance gear.
How safe is the Acura ILX?
A decent safety record and lots of standard features help the 2021 Acura ILX rate 7 out of 10. The IIHS gives the ILX good marks all around, though its headlights aren’t enough to elevate it to Top Safety Pick status. Federal testers score it five stars overall, but a relatively rare four stars for frontal crashworthiness.
The ILX isn’t wanting for collision-avoidance gear. Adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking are standard, while blind-spot monitors are included with the Premium Package.
Features
In base guise, the ILX hardly feels like a luxury car.
The 2021 Acura ILX is inexpensive, but base versions don’t feel any fancier than non-luxury cars. Adding the Premium Package helps, but the ILX’s value equation drops considerably with any more features. A four-year, 50,000-mile warranty is standard, though, which is another year worth of driving compared to typical non-luxury rivals.
We rate the ILX at 4 out of 10 overall.
Which Acura ILX should I buy?
How much is a fully loaded 2021 Acura ILX?
Add the A-Spec and Technology packages, plus extra-cost paint, and the ILX skyrockets to $33,400.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Acura ILX is reasonably fuel efficient, but some rivals are better.
Is the 2021 Acura ILX good on gas?
The 2021 Acura ILX is rated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, 28 combined. That’s on par with some of its competitors but a smidge behind the Audi A3’s 30 mpg combined. A comparable Civic with the turbocharged engine can run as high as 42 mpg on the highway or 36 mpg combined, too.
The ILX uses premium fuel, which is typical for a luxury car and will add at least a few bucks to a fill-up.
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