Acura's ILX is a direct competitor with it's cousin, the Honda Civic. The Acura badge typically signifies a slightly more upmarket product. This particular car represented the top of the line for the ILX, with the Technology Plus and A-Spec packages. So how does it compare to a Civic? We drove both to experience the differences firsthand.
For $35,000 this had better be one darned good Civic.
Other than the Acura badge, nothing on the outside makes it stand out.
Step into the driver's seat and it totally feels like a Civic, just with higher end features. However, the input system for the nav could stand to be streamlined. But once you have your destination set, the system works well and even tells you if there is traffic ahead. Everything else is easy to find and use.
Seating is spacious in the front and rear and very comfortable.
The first thing you'll notice when you start driving is the dual-clutch transmission. It works well, but seems to shift harder before the car is completely warm.
Power is adequate. It's not awe-inspiring, but it's enough for the car to serve its purpose. The adaptive cruise control is a great feature for longer drives. This is one of my favorite features found in new cars.
Bottom line, it does feel like an extremely well kitted out Civic, but those added features are definitely a nice bonus.
Isn't the ILX basically a dressed-up variant of the prior-generation Civic Si, K24 engine and all?
I really wish Acura would go back to making enthusiast cars with wonderful dynamics again. I guess the NSX is a start, but they really haven't had much to offer folks like us since the TSX was axed.
We love our 2004 TSX and plan to shop both the ILX and TLX next year to replace it. It will be interesting to see which one captures the feel of the TSX better, and whether smaller and handier beats the Honda 6 cylinder and SHAWD. And, of course, the price point.
It will aslo be interesting to see how they both stack up against the Mazda6.
I forgot this thing even existed. I don't think I've ever seen one. Or maybe I have and couldn't tell it apart from any of the other Acuras.
It certainly looks lightyears better than the civic....
Indeed, that new Civic is not a pretty car.
Can someone explain Acura's current lineup to me? They have changed the names so many times...so the ILX is the new TSX...is the TLX the new the TL?
Their new names are so forgettable it's almost funny.
The ILX is a little smaller than the old TSX. A bigger, softer, RSX sedan, somwhere between RSX and TSX size. The TSX and the TL have been combined into the TLX, a single model instead of 2, between the ILX and the RL. RLs still exist as far as I know, but nobody buys them. So they've condensed 4 models into 3, and they don't offer anything with 2 doors any more.
I also wish Acura would find it's way. Loved my 2002 TL-S, which my brother now has, and love our 14 TSX Sportwagon but there is nothing that Acura has now that excites me.
NickD wrote: I forgot this thing even existed. I don't think I've ever seen one. Or maybe I have and couldn't tell it apart from any of the other Acuras.
You know, I actually thought something very similar when it showed up. I'll bet they just don't jump out at us anymore.
Indeed, they've been confusing me lately. Almost all of their offerings feel Camry-esque.
Thanks Duke.
Yes, it feels like Honda is mailing it in with the whole Acura thing.
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