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2018 Acura ILX

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Make
Acura
Model
ILX
Year
2018
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Acura ILX OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 Base 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $28,100
2018 Special Edition 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $28,900
2018 AcuraWatch Plus Package 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $29,400
2018 Premium Package 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $30,100
2018 Premium & A-SPEC Packages 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $32,100
2018 Technology Plus Package 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $33,100
2018 Technology Plus & A-SPEC Packages 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $35,100

Overview

The entry level Acura ILX sedan may not be the luxury bargain it once was, but the vehicle is still one of the more affordable ways to get into the world of luxury sedans, offering a peppy engine, numerous luxury features, and a healthy level of tech.

What's New for 2018

The most noteworthy change for the 2018 ILX is the addition of a new special edition package to the sedan’s lineup. The ILX Special Edition Package adds $800 over the base trim and brings 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, and more prominent side sills to the sedan’s exterior. Some of the aesthetic goodies are borrowed from the ILX A-Spec Package.

Interior features for the Special Edition Package include a rearview camera, a one-touch power moonroof, LED headlights, keyless entry, an eight-way power driver’s seat, push-button start, and a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel.

Acura ILX

Choosing Your Acura ILX

The ILX is only available with one powertrain – a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that’s paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive – good for 201 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. Look for 24 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

The base ILX costs $29,065, including the $965 destination fee, and comes with LED headlights and taillights, heated exterior mirrors, sport seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat, two-level heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start with proximity entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient cabin lighting, and a six-speaker audio system.

The ILX is available as one trim that can be built upon with numerous packages.

Acura ILX

Special Edition

The $800 Special Edition Package brings the price of the ILX up to $29,865 and adds a rear spoiler from the A-Spec Package, side sills, and 18-inch noise-reducing wheels.

Acura ILX

AcuraWatch Plus

The AcuraWatch Plus Package costs $1,300, but it adds nearly the entire suite of Honda/Acura's safety systems. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning with lane keeping assist are all here. You'll need to step up to the Technology Plus or A-Spec to get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic assist, though.

Acura ILX

Premium

The $2,000 Premium Package adds a mix of technology and luxury features to the sedan, which include sport seats with perforated Milano leather upholstery, a two-driver memory system for the driver’s seat, a four-way power passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a seven-speaker premium audio system, connected navigation, an eight-inch LED display, email compatibility, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Acura ILX

A-Spec

The $2,000 A-Spec Package locks consumers into the Premium Package, as well, which brings the total cost of the ILX to $33,065. The A-Spec Package provides the sedan with a sportier look thanks to 18-inch wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and side sills. On the inside, the sedan gets Perforated Lux Suede seats with contrast stitching, an ebony headliner, a red instrument panel, and aluminum pedals. Unlike the TLX A-Spec, there are no functional improvements in the ILX A-Spec.

Acura ILX

Technology Plus

Opting for the $1,700 Technology Plus Package requires consumers order AcuraWatch Plus Package and the Premium Package, which raises the ILX’s price up to $34,065. In addition to all of the features from those packages, the Technology Plus package brings a 10-speaker ELS audio system, navigation, an instrument cluster display, dynamic guidelines for the rear-view camera, the AcuraLink telematics system, and dual-zone climate control.

CarsDirect Tip

The ILX isn’t the basement bargain it once was and getting a fully-loaded model puts it into competition with cars that have a lot more to offer, be it from a luxury, dynamic, or brand cachet point of view. Keeping it simple with the Premium Package, which adds a good mix of features, is the way to go.

Get your price on an Acura ILX »

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

The 2018 Acura ILX is essentially the entry-level luxury car. With a price tag that starts under $30,000, the ILX is the easiest way to separate yourself from the people who drive normal cars. Based on the last-generation Honda Civic, the ILX manages to feel like something greater than a Honda, even if the latest Civic's top trim can provide more for less in many ways. It's comfortable, quiet, and a bit sporty, but competition with other entry-level luxury sedans gets fierce as you add options and packages.

Best Value

The Acura ILX really shines value-wise if you can keep it below $32,000 – above there, it starts running into stiff competition from the BMW 320i, Audi A3, and Mercedes CLA 250 which are more fun to drive, and provide a slightly more luxurious experience compared to the Acura. On the other end of the spectrum, a loaded Civic easily eclipses the base model ILX in features.

Therefore, it's smart to choose an ILX with the Premium Package, which adds leather seats, a premium audio system, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alerts among other things. Unfortunately, you can't get the AcuraWatch Plus driver assistance package without also getting the Technology Plus Package, which quickly inflates the ILX's price past $34,000. Follow our advice, and you'll end up with a $31,065 sedan.

  • Model: 2018 Acura ILX
  • Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder
  • Output: 201 hp/ 180 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • Fuel Economy: 24 City / 35 Hwy
  • Options: Premium Package ($2,000, Leather Sport Seats, Premium Audio System, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alerts, eight-inch infotainment display)
  • Base Price: $29,065 (including a $965 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price: $31,065

Performance

Acura ILX

The ILX has a bit of a split personality. The engine is a 201 horsepower four-cylinder with Honda's famous VTEC variable valve timing that makes the engine love to rev when you put your foot down. While other cars in its class have a bit more torque thanks to turbochargers, the ILX's engine has a lot of character in the power delivery that reminds us of classic Acura compacts like the RSX and Integra. This engine is tied to an eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that changes gears quickly, especially when using the paddle shifters in manual mode, and smart shifting with quick downshifts.

On the other hand, the ILX is not built for handling, focusing instead on comfort. This translates to a softer suspension that flattens the road – it's great for commuting on neglected streets, but not so great for those who want a sportier driving experience like many entry-level luxury car shoppers. Likewise the steering disengaged from the road, lacking the connection that made many older Acuras so much fun.

Interior and Exterior

The ILX's style inside and out isn't going to turn many heads in either awe or revulsion. It's nice, but it's not exciting in any way. That's something of a trend with many luxury cars, but the exterior of the ILX manages to look even more staid than the competition. Inside the ILX is also bland – there are nice materials all around, but the ILX only gives customers the choice of three interiors color schemes – a fairly subdued grey, black, or tan. For a more sporty look, Acura offers the A-Spec package that adds an aerodynamic body kit and bigger wheels, but nothing that actually makes the ILX quicker.

It is a comfortable car, though, that's surprisingly capable of insulating passengers from the outside world. There's active noise cancellation and heavy amounts sound deadening material that makes it feel quite refined. The front seats hold you well with good bolstering and supportive cushioning. The biggest downside of the ILX is that it is a bit cramped, owing to its compact car beginnings. There isn't a lot of headroom for the front seats due to the sunroof, and the rear seat will force all but the shortest adults to feel constrained against the roof.

The Best and Worst Things

Quietness is an underappreciated aspect to cars, and the ILX is very good at it. A luxury car should help the driver forget about the bustle of the outside world. On longer trips, wind and tire noise can really start to wear on you, especially when the roads aren't that great, so it's commendable that Acura has taken efforts to offer a car with active and passive noise reduction at a fairly affordable price point.

The downside of the ILX is that it's fairly boring. It's not exciting to look at, it's not exciting to sit in, and while the engine wants to go fast, the suspension does not. Its Germanic rivals put an emphasis on the driving experience, but the Acura comes up short.

Right For? Wrong For?

Acura ILX

The Acura ILX is a slightly nicer way to get to work, for a slightly higher price than a high-end economy car. This makes it perfect for a driver that wants to treat themselves to the fruits of their labor, but without completely blowing the budget. The Acura is reliable, comfortable, and affordable, but it does feel like the next level up from your everyday cars.

If you're looking for car that's fun to drive, avoid the ILX. While the engine's nice, it won't put a smile on your face as you're approaching an on-ramp. It's built to comfort, not to thrill.

The Bottom Line

The Acura ILX is a good entry level luxury car that doesn't do anything wrong, but doesn't exactly tingle the senses in any way. If you want to take a baby step into the world of luxury car ownership, the Acura is there for you, but closely examine what you want and consider the vehicles that are slightly more and slightly less expensive than the ILX if you can.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.4L I-4 / 201 HP / 180 ft.lbs.
Transmission
8-spd Sequential SportShift auto-shift man w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 35 / 30 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.4L I-4 / 201 HP / 180 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 35 / 30 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel / Compact
Fuel Tank
13.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$50
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
12.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
89 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
181.9 "
Exterior Width
70.6 "
Exterior Height
55.6 "
Front Headroom
38.0 "
Rear Headroom
35.9 "
Front Legroom
42.3 "
Rear Legroom
34.0 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.6 "
Rear Shoulder Room
53.5 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,093 Lbs.
Wheel Base
105 "
Turning Radius
18.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Heated, Power Remote Convex Spotter Driver, Power Remote W/tilt Down Passenger
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Metal-look W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Leatherette
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
Full Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm Stereo, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 70,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
48 Months / 50,000 Miles

Used 2018 Acura ILX for Sale

4 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Acura
Special Edition
Color: White
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$18,799

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California Motors Direct (34 mi)

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Phone: (714) 215-9142
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DriveTime Torrance (6 mi)

Phone: (310) 793-1666
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