2014 Acura ILX Review
2014 Acura ILX Review





+216
Used ILX for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Generous number of standard features
- balanced approach to ride quality and handling ability.
Cons
- Lackluster base engine
- smallish trunk
- no automatic transmission or top-end features for sport-oriented 2.4-liter model.
What’s new
For 2014, the Acura ILX gets more standard equipment, which includes 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat and heated front seats.
Edmunds says
Attractive and well-equipped, the 2014 Acura ILX is a respectable choice for a compact luxury sedan. Still, there are a number of worthy alternatives that savvy shoppers should consider.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2014 Acura ILX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.92 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$169/mo for ILX Base
ILX Base
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
An entry in the growing, entry-level compact luxury sport sedan segment, the 2014 Acura ILX offers consumers something a cut above mainstream small sedans. Smaller and less expensive than more established German and Japanese stalwarts, the ILX is related to the Honda Civic. But this is not just a simple "badge job" of designers applying some Acura emblems and calling it a day. The ILX is longer and wider, with completely different styling, a more powerful base engine and many more standard features than the small Honda.
Available solely as a four-door sedan, the ILX offers two powertrain options (plus the ILX Hybrid, which is reviewed separately). The base version is fitted with a rather pedestrian but thrifty 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Driving enthusiasts will lean toward the ILX 2.4 model, which has a considerably more powerful 2.4-liter four that comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. The base 2.0-liter version does represent an affordable entry point into premium-brand car ownership. But its performance isn't in the same league as the entry-level versions of its rivals. With its sport sedan leanings, the 2.4 model is enticing, but the lack of an automatic transmission limits its appeal.
If you're shopping for a compact luxury sedan, there are other choices to consider. The Buick Verano is less expensive to start and offers a potent 250-horsepower engine upgrade as well as a nicer interior. And although the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has a smaller backseat and is likely to cost you a bit more, it comes with a considerably stronger base engine, a richer interior and, yes, the Mercedes name.
Potential buyers should also know that for the same money as a loaded ILX you could get a loaded version of a roomier midsize sedan such as a Ford Fusion, Kia Optima or Nissan Altima. Still, if you're looking for a relatively affordable small sedan that's good on gas and gives off a premium vibe, the 2014 Acura ILX is a good choice.
Performance & mpg
Powering the base 2014 ILX is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission offered is a five-speed automatic that sends its power to the front wheels. In Edmunds performance testing, this powertrain brought the ILX from zero to 60 mph in 9 seconds. That's average for a compact economy car but slow for a compact sedan wearing a premium badge. Fuel economy is respectable at 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 22/31/25.
Safety
The 2014 Acura ILX comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. A rearview camera is optional.
In government crash tests, the Acura ILX earned a top five-star rating for overall protection in crash tests, with four stars total for frontal impact safety and five stars for side-impact safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the ILX a top score of "Good" for the car's performance in the moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. Its head restraint/seats design also earned a "Good" rating for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
In Edmunds brake testing, the ILX 2.0 Premium came to a stop from 60 mph in 121 feet, which is a little better than average. Curiously, the supposedly sportier ILX 2.4 stopped in 130 feet, which is longer than average.
Driving
Nobody is going to mistake the 2014 Acura ILX for a BMW 3 Series, but overall performance is more than adequate for everyday commuting duty. The standard 2.0-liter engine is quite smooth, so wringing the most from it is not an annoying task. Equipped with the 2.4-liter engine, the ILX is a different animal, as its sporting exhaust note and greater horsepower translate to quicker acceleration. We're also quite fond of the precision-machined action of the six-speed manual transmission, which is one of the easiest and most enjoyable to use in any car. Still, the fact that you can't get the 2.4 with an automatic transmission limits this model's appeal for commuters.
Ride quality is a strength for all versions of the 2014 Acura ILX. This car offers a nearly ideal compromise between control and comfort, and it's quiet on the highway. Driving enthusiasts might be disappointed that the ILX 2.4 doesn't come with a sportier suspension tune, but the car is sure-footed around turns and generally enjoyable to pilot.
Interior
The ILX's interior is well constructed, but the materials used aren't really a step up from top non-luxury sedans. Similarly, the design features Acura's typical high-tech vibe, but it's nowhere near as luxurious in here as in the classy TSX.
Nevertheless, if you're looking for high-tech features, the ILX definitely delivers. There is a 5-inch display screen topping the center stack for the myriad infotainment functions, and smartly placed buttons and knobs to control them. A 6-inch screen comes with the navigation system, as do voice command functionality (navigation and audio) and a nice-sounding ELS audio system.
Special care was used in designing the seats to be supportive, yet not give the impression of confinement or hardness. The ILX is also pretty spacious for a compact car, with a decent amount of backseat room. Still, headroom can be snug for 6-footers, due to the car's standard sunroof.
Trunk space, at 12.4 cubic feet, is average, and the opening is a little narrow. The rear seat folds down to facilitate carrying longer items, but the seatback is not split to permit a mix of long cargo and a passenger or two in the backseat.
2014 Acura ILX models
The 2014 Acura ILX entry-level luxury sedan comes in four trim levels: 2.0, 2.0 with Premium package, 2.0 with Technology package and 2.4 with Premium package. There is also the ILX Hybrid, which is covered in a separate review.
Standard equipment for the base 2.0 and 2.4 includes 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, full power accessories, keyless ignition/entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats, active noise cancellation, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 5-inch information display screen, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, SMS text message functionality, and a seven-speaker sound system with a CD player, a USB/iPod audio interface, satellite radio and Pandora radio smartphone app integration.
Moving up to the 2.0 Premium or 2.4 Premium gets you xenon headlamps, foglamps, a rearview camera and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The Technology trim (not available on the 2.4) includes all of the features of the Premium package along with a navigation system with a slightly larger display, voice commands and a 10-speaker ELS surround-sound audio system with digital music storage.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2014 Acura ILX.
5 star(81%)
4 star(13%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(0%)
37 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Getting 43 Mpg on daily commute
mahowald, 08/11/2012
2013 Acura ILX Hybrid 4dr Sedan w/Technology Package (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I love this car.
Gas mileage, suspension, and stereo are great.
Bluetooth integration and Pandora integration work perfectly. Suspension and noise cancellation work amazingly well.
Although it looks small, it has plenty of room and has always been big enough.
Gas mileage has been from 42 to 45 without really trying.
5 out of 5 stars
New to me ILX
VIP, 07/26/2016
2013 Acura ILX Technology Package 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5A)
I purchased my 2013 ILX from the dealer used with 30k miles in 2016. So far so good. I had a Honda before and loved it so figured my next step would be an Acura. First the positives: Car rides well, love the GPS, blue tooth connectivity, and voice control. For a 4 cylinder vehicle it accelerates quite quickly and is very good on gas. Also the car is spacious, it comfortably fit me plus 3 … other adults on a short road trip. Now the not so good: storage is extremely limited! the car doesn't even have a place to put spare change, I literally dump everything into the center counsel. Also the USB cord is awkwardly placed, when I first test drove the car I thought it was damaged (if you've seen it you know what I mean). Lastly, I got the tech package so I have leather seats but when I first started looking I was shocked to see that the base model comes standard with cloth seats, I've never seen a luxury car with cloth seats.
4.63 out of 5 stars
I absolutely love this car!!! Best car purchase I have made.
aeroj101, 06/23/2014
2014 Acura ILX Premium Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M)
I bought the manual 2.4 version about a month ago, and I am completely in love with this car. First, I think I am probably the target consumer (young professional at a corporate job). I wouldn't want a Civic Si, but I definitely wanted a manual transmission (and the MT option is the ONE main reason I chose the ILX over a Lexus IS; I don't care if the IS is faster, I wanted an MT). The … sound isolation is good, road comfort is great (I'm not trying to experience all the bumps on the road), and I personally love hearing the tune of engine revving up (it's beautiful, and it's a manual, and that's part of the fun). I am committed to only owning MT cars, and am glad Acura makes a few.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Excellet Commuter Car
bybchucky, 09/13/2013
2013 Acura ILX Hybrid 4dr Sedan w/Technology Package (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I recently purchased a 2013 ILX with the Tech pkg, and I am very pleased with it. I had a 2008 Acura TL prior to purchasing this car, and I thought I would miss the V6 acceleration, but I honestly don't. A lot of the reviews say the 150 hp is underpowered, but I find the car to be adequate. In fact, it picks up quite nicely on the highway and I don't have trouble passing cars. The … interior is nice, well built, and feels a lot wider than what the outside appearance would make you believe. The rear leg room is also excellent considering this is a compact car. As stated above, this is an excellent commuter car.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2014 Acura ILX, so we've included reviews for other years of the ILX since its last redesign.
2014 ILX Highlights
Base
Base MSRP | $26,900 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $169/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover10.7%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
People who viewed this also viewed
4.5 average Rating out of 41 reviews. |
Starting at $23,450 |
4.4 average Rating out of 11 reviews. |
Starting at $39,850 |
3.4 average Rating out of 38 reviews. |
Starting at $49,550 |
Related Used 2014 Acura ILX info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Lexus LS 500 2020 Review
- Lexus LC 500H 2021 Review
- Lexus LS 500H 2021 Review
- Lexus LS 500H 2020 Review
- Lexus LS 500 2021 Review
Shop similar models
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Aston Martin DB12
- Aston Martin DB X
- 2023 BMW 7 Series
- 2022 Ford Explorer
- Nissan Kicks 2023
- Electrified G80
- 2022 Trailblazer
- 2024 Ford Bronco
- 2022 Nissan LEAF
- BMW X3M Comp
Research recent models from same make
- Acura Integra Type S
- Acura MDX
- Acura TLX
- 2023 Acura TLX
- Acura RDX
- Acura NSX
- 2023 MDX
- 2023 Acura RDX
- Acura MDX 2024
- Acura Integra 2023
Research similar vehicles
- Toyota Toyota Corolla
- 2023 Honda Civic
- Lucid Air
- K5 Kia
- M 340I
- Hyundai Elantra
- Stinger Kia Stinger
- Mercedes Car C Class
- Q 50 Infiniti
- Nissan Altima2023
Other models
- New Jeep Grand-Wagoneer-L for Sale in Farmington, MI
- Used Rolls-Royce Phantom-Drophead-Coupe in Farmington, MI
- New Audi Q5 for Sale in Farmington, MI
- Used Acura Tsx-Sport-Wagon in Farmington, MI
- Used Volvo V50 in Farmington, MI
- New Lexus GX-460 for Sale in Farmington, MI
- Used Lincoln Navigator-L in Farmington, MI
- Used GMC Sierra-Classic-2500 in Farmington, MI
- Used Chevrolet Tahoe in Farmington, MI
- New Volvo V90-Cross-Country for Sale in Farmington, MI