Used 2016 Acura ILX Consumer Reviews

ILX Tech pack.

Got the ILX like 3 weeks ago, so far no problems, fast, corners nicely, good on gas, I like better than the A3, felt cramped inside, handles as well as IS250, anyone feels differently about you are subject to your own opinion, I am not a critic just a regular guy typing my own views...

I LOVE this car!

This car has met all of my expectations and surpassed most of them, it is everything I was looking for at a very reasonable price point. I previously owned a 2014 Civic EX 4dr, which I bought, at least partially, because Civics are traditionally modders, with a lot of potential for customization. Not so much the case (mechanically) anymore, unless you get the SI, but I work in the city and bumper to bumper commuting with a manual, forget it. At any rate, the ILX offered everything I wanted my Civic to become, sporty, both in appearance and performance (big emphasis on performance), as well as more luxury and Honda/Acura's legendary reliability. I did a LOT of research before pulling the trigger on the purchase and I just don't think that anything out there can touch the ILX if price is at all an issue for you. Go to Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Lexus websites and "Build and Price" their entry level offerings with same/similar features and you will see what I mean. In NONE of those cases are you getting anywhere near the ILX in features, performance, quality or reliability for under 40K (the model I bought, w/ premium package, stickers at $30,820 with destination charges). If you are looking to buy a status symbol, this isn't the car for you, but if you want luxury quality and performance combined with unmatched reliability, this is definitely worth a look and test drive, I consider it a class leading example of what I call "practical luxury". Also worth mention, I had a 2015 ILX base model (with the 2.0) loaner for a day and a half while the dealership installed a remote start and was NOT impressed, the 2015 would not have won me over, I would still be driving the Civic, so if you have an earlier model and weren't pleased or it didn't meet your expectations, give the 2016 a test drive. The only Cons I have to offer are getting into and out of the vehicle (at 5'11" with short legs and a long torso) can be slightly awkward and low speed crawl can be chunky at times (for the first week till you get used to shift points) however from the reviews I have read on its competitors it still excels in this area (I haven't test driven any of them). UPDATE: After 8 months driving it every day, I still love this car. My only takeaway after 8 months is that without Navi the 2 screen layout can feel pretty redundant, but that's such a first world problem I don't even feel good complaining about it. Sport mode is awesome, whether or not you use the paddle shifters, which by the way can be used in normal drive mode as well.

I love it

I absolutely adore this car. I have no idea what some people are talking about regarding the seats being uncomfortable. These are the most comfortable seats I've ever driven in. This car is just what I was looking for...a beautiful, reliable and luxurious commuter. The white model really turns heads and by the first week I'd already gotten so many compliments. Interior road noise is perfect, road feel is excellent, steering is excellent, ever little detail in his car screams luxury. Really nothing bad I can say about this car, and no I've not been paid to say these things...this car is just that good.

Hard to Categorize

This is a great combination of luxury and economy. I paid $9,000 less than the dealer's best offer on a comparable BMW 320i. It's pretty quick at 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds ( .2 seconds faster than the BMW according to zeroto60times.com) but still gets 36 mpg (the same as the BMW epa estimate) on the highway. After driving the BMW 320i and the X1, the ILX interior materials seemed just slightly inferior. And the noise and handling were just a little off. I am very sensitive to squeaks and rattles. So far, not a single one. The 8 speed DCT is very smooth and precise. Driving in sport mode changes everything. The shift points are at much higher revs and the engine responds much more quickly. This is my second Acura. I drove the first one for nearly 200,000 miles and all I did was change the fluids and bulbs...not a single problem. I can't attest to the reliability of the ILX, but I'm betting it will be similarly phenomenal. The expert reviews are all over the map on this one. Do you compare it with a Toyota Corolla, or a BMW 2 or 3 series? Therein lies the problem. They have to put it in a category to make sense of all the vehicles and this one doesn't fit. You have to read between the lines.

Best Value - Entry level luxury sedan

If you're in the market for an entry level luxury sedan, you're most likely considering the Audi A3, MB CLA or the BMW 320, along with the ILX. Pricing-wise, the base MSRPs are not that far apart; but, once you start adding options, the prices begin to spread apart. Comparing all the features in an Acura ILX with Technology Plus and A-Spec, the price differences can vary as much as $5k-$10k. Add to that the recent year-end incentives, and the price difference can go as much as $12k. Considering the reliability of Acura, and its traditionally high resale value, the ILX represents the best value in this category.

Solid Commuting Car

I use this car almost exclusively for commuting, about 20 miles each way. It's a good solid car with great value. Acceleration is more than adequate and the extra tech you get with the tech plus package is great. I did have a problem with my car upon delivery. About a week after I got the car I noticed a vibration, especially in reverse. I brought it in to the dealer and they found that the engine mounts weren't aligned. They fixed it and I was on my way. About a month later the vibrations came back. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced the engine mounts (covered under warranty). I haven't had a problem since. Pros: Great value for what you spend. Braking is excellent, gives a real secure feeling. I know a lot of pundits complain about the dual screen system but once you get used to it there's no issue. Cons: Transmission at highway speed is very smooth. At low speeds, particularly stop and go traffic, the transmission can be very choppy and downright uncomfortable. After about a month of driving I became more attuned to this and am able to avoid a lot of the choppiness. It can still be a minor annoyance. My other complaint would be a lack of lumbar support. Any car that claims to be luxury must have it.

Bells and Whistle Galore!

I really love this car. It has everything I wanted for a great price! PRO: ($30,000 out the door) This is the perfect car for me since I am not searching for people's envy. This car has everything in my opinion. It has great gas mileage(I am averaging 32/gallon), galore of standard features like my favorites(resetting the gas odometer and mileage whenever I refuel, also 3 different backup camera viewing angle was very helpful when I need to back into my garage). The leather are very comfortable. Stereo with 7 speakers and sub-woofer, usb, bluetooth, HDMI, and sat radio keeps me going on my daily grind. Great value for my hard earned cash. I would recommend this car to anybody that appreciate great value and reliability. CON: If you are looking for true luxury entry-level luxury sedan, this is not it. As per the review said, the interior are nice but not as luxuries as Mercedes or Audi. It does not drive with peppiness that you get with Mercedes or Audi. I find the acceleration weak but the thing is because this car is trying to save gas, so it keep shifting below 2000rpm....(you can do manual shifting if you are into burning up your gas and driving faster). Your neighbor is not going to b like "oh my! you got a new Mercedes or Audi!). But you know what? I got good price and great value for my car so F the neighbor...haha!

My second Acura ILX

Got a great deal to trade my 2013 ILX for a 2016 ILX Premium pkg Granite Luster/Graystone interior. I never had any problems with my 2013 and really like the updates on the new one. Performance is up due to the new engine but the old one was efficient and peppy. Good ride quality and very good value in the entry level luxury class. Compare to A3, CLA feature for feature and you'll see what I mean.

Maybe not a German killer but one heck of a value

Just traded my 2016 RDX Base for the 2016 ILX Premium. Obviously I am loosing the utility and AWD of a RDX but gaining more features, slightly lower payment, better gas millage, and a car easier to park. Compared to the 1st gen the 2016 ILX is a huge improvement in every category. Looks while subjective are much better with a more pronounced front end and a less frump tail end. The amount of tech and features you get are way up from the 1st gen and the performance of the 2.4 direct injection 8 speed DCT is awesome. While the performance is much improved the car might be a tad racer boyish for some with it's loud exhaust for those who prefer quiet luxury. The ILX isn't as luxurious and doesn't perform as well as the Lexus IS 200T, BMW 320i, Mercedes CLA250, Audi A3 but it costs thousands less (up to $10,000 less). I am leasing my ILX for 24 months but I negotiated my premium edition with a MSRP of $30k to $26,260. Furthermore the highest trim Tech with A-Spec only adds up to $35k, so is True* luxury really worth thousands of dollars? For me the ILX has just the right amount of luxury, tech, and value that I can ignore not having AWD, real wood accents, or a German branding. What I can't ignore is the back seats being a 1 piece fold down and not a 60/40 split and not having a pass through. Nor am I huge fan of the car requiring premium and the fact that AcuraLink only supports iOS! Also, while Acura would love to capture a young audience the base and base with AcuraWatch are pointless because the Civic Touring features and price beats those models. Acura you can't have you cake and eat it too, just sell the Premium and Tech Versions which still are reasonably priced at $30k-35k Msrp. The Premium with Blind Spot, cross traffic alert, real Milano leather, and the two tier screen system are worth every penny.

An Expensive Civic No More!

I am quite familiar with the 2013 ILX and it was a great disappointment. The refreshed 2016 ILX is what we expected in 2013, but instead got an expensive Honda Civic. The 2016 feels much more premium and is quieter on the road. The suspension feels tighter and more solid. The exterior refresh is quite nice; it gives it a sportier look, but still looks like a luxury vehicle. The greatest attribute of this car is the 8 speed duel clutch transmission, that is paired with the 2.4L engine. The K24 is already a seasoned and beloved motor and this new 8 speed DCT is incredible. The shifts are smooth, quick, and the rev-match down shifting is addicting. This truly is the best compromise between an automatic and manual transmission. This is my sister's car, which already has 47,000 miles on it and no problems have occurred. That is no surprise, as my dad has an 09 TSX with 95k(never using the required premium gas) and never a repair once. My father is now eyeing to replace his TSX with the ILX A-Spec and I too, will now be in the market for one, as well.

More for the money!!

We were searching for a good lease rate and reliable vehicle that was stylish and had good ratings. This car has a sports car feel, fun to drive, and handles beautifully (except for a small turning radius)! The stripped down version gets you a sunroof, backup camera, and very nice front seat, all safety features, great Bluetooth, all for less than many non-luxury compacts, including the Civic, which has higher lease costs and less features for the price. Well worth our investment!!

Just the right car.

My 2nd Acura to date and just like the previous one, it's been great. Excellent highway mileage of 39 mi/gallon and is not a slouch if you want speed. The car handle really well around corners and have a very good braking system. We currently have 6 Honda made products; 2 Civic (2005 and 2007), 2 CRV (2009 and 2013), the Ilx, and a lawn mower and all have been super reliable. I place reliability above anything else and my experience with Honda cars have been excellent. Both Civicc and the 2009 CRV have way over 100k miles and not one ever had a single problem. I don't expect less from a Honda built automobile and I don't expect less from the Acura either.

Not as thrill asi thought to be

I came from a manual stick shift 2003 Acura RSX Type S. I love that car and the only reason why I stick with Acura. I need a small compact 4 doors vehicle since I'm a family man with two kids. I looked at the Civics, the Accords. But they just blah and not exciting in terms of styling. Plus. I didn't want to be like 80% of the car out there on the road, so many of them. From teeny boppers, grandma's, Grandpa, to your soccer moms. No thanks. So there it is, I got the 2016 Acura ILX with premium/Aspec package. Honestly, its not really an upgrade from my RSX. Everything about this car feel cheap and could be better. Feels like they are rushing it. The gears always shifting. It can never stay in one gear long, it always shift to make sure the gears are highest fuel economy at the current speed. It's good for gas saving but when you trying to merge or switch lane, you need it to be in a gear that responsive to the throttle. Instead, the car will downshift creating that half to second delay acceleration. Coming from a cable, maybe it have to do with the new electric drive by wire, who knows but its really annoying when you need that quick acceleration. Now on the other hand, the Dual Clutch mode is awesome, stellar and works perfectly. I think that pretty much the only part of the car that stands out. Very responsive, smooth gear transition from downshift and up shift. The steering is numb and you don't feel that much road feed back. The handling is good. Not much body roll. The car puts me to sleep. I need some excitement, the thrill of a screaming VTEC kicking in. Instead I got a very boring tone. The seat doesnt have much bolster to snug you in. I feel Acura lost touch with its racing heritage. My other pet peeve is the head room, I'm 5'11" but it really cramp in there. Only about in of space left from the ceiling to my head. I will probably pass this car to my wife in a few more years and get myself a stick shift car. If you like driving like grandma, just chill, relax, cruising and looking good in it. Then this car is for you.

Deserves one more star but please read it.

I got my car back in April of 2015. Reason I took off one star is squeaky front brakes issue. It's factory defect and acura is aware of it (Please google on tgat issue if you are interested). Acura did not want to change my brakes at time I came in and I don't have any more time to waste with them so I live with it. It's a huge disappointed especially for a brand such as acura. Another star I taken off because I believe few other things could have been better. Such as, very rough ride over uneven pavement and especially potholes. No 40/60 rear fold, whole rear seat just folds. Steering is a little numb as well. Not too much headroom for tall drivers. Never the less its an enormous value. For $27k you get compact (a plus for some) 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, great fuel economy, decent handling, sunroof, keyless entery, duel clutch transmission, full Led head lights, Adaptive cruise, crush prevention system, auto dual climate, heated seats and mirrors, back up cam, Acura badge (Might matter to some.

Excellent for its price & quality

Have own the fully loaded Tech plus A-SPEC ILX with the bigger 18" wheels, GPS and all. First what it lacks: 1. A HUD, which I feel is a must for all luxury cars 2. Lack of lumbar support 3. Poor entertainment system. Other brands offer a Bose or a bang and olufsen system. This car's audio is WEAK! It is sort of OK at its highest settings. 4. Complicated command system. The voice command is OK, but messes up most of the time. Rerouting the GPS is a pain. Not very intuitive at all. 5. The car takes a good half-one second to catch up if you suddenly floor the gas pedal - then it is sheer pleasure, with the engine roar and sudden burst of speed! The Good parts: 1. The interiors don't feel cheap, very well done. A true luxury car! 2. Low center of gravity, and very good handling. Very smooth start due to the 8 speed gear box. 3. The looks ! With the 5 LED headlights, to the complicated body lines! This car is a looker, and people keep staring at it. 4. Cost & maintenance. I also own an Audi A4. The windshield wipers on an Audi are $250 Bosch. They are $18 on the Acura!!! You can drive into a honda dealership and get parts, servicing, tune-ups. The german cars will bleed you dry, these won't! The german cars are quieter inside. But they cost $15,000 more to own, and are horribly expensive to maintain. I've started to spend about a $1000 annually on my Audi - the other germans are very similar. 5. The seats are quite alright. I am about 6', I've tested the BMW 3 series and the Merc C-300s. The head room is the same, maybe slightly better on the ILX. The problems I've faced with mine: 1. The cars don't come with a spare tire. BIG PROBLEM. I blew mine in one month, ended up buying a donut. The boot won't fit a full sized spare. Not ideal, but I can live with that. 2. The lane correction system on all these cars is a pain in the neck. I now drive with it turned off. 3. A problem with the transmission handle shifting to gear mode without the release /safety button being pressed. Has happened once. Will have it checked out at the next servicing. And oh, the servicing, including oil change, carwash & tire rotation was $100 only !!!!! I would love for Honda / Acura to improve the negatives that i've listed, and this will be a really 5 star worth car!

Awesome Entry Luxury

This is a great car in the sporty entry luxury space. The engine and transmission pairing are strong and energetic. The technology package adds great safety and convenience features.

Great Car, Fun to drive

No one is paying me to write this review. Just thought you'd like to know. I sincerely don't understand Edmund's grade of "C" for the ILX. I drove the Lexus IS 200t. Yes, it was very smooth and very powerful. But it costs almost $10,000 more than the ILX. And has anyone noticed that the front grill of the Lexus looks like the mask for Darth Vader? I'm sorry, but once that picture became fixated in my mind, I just couldn't stand looking at it any longer. I also drove the BMW 228i. A little more money than the ILX but with half the standard features and honestly, I didn't feel much difference between the BMW and the ILX. I love the look of the ILX with the Prem and Aspec package. The spoiler and upgraded wheels make the vehicle. The upgraded interior is also really nice and the seats have a nice sporty feel to them. The acceleration for this 200 hp engine is tremendous. Okay, so I also drive my 013 Toyota Tacoma so getting into the ILX is like getting into my own sports car. I like the sound of the engine and I like the feel of the road. We also own a 014 Acura RDX and it drives like a charm. My only tiny complaint is I wish Acura would make a coupe the size of the new TLX or the ILX. Updated review....Still fun to drive, just not as fun as I first thought The 8 speed transmission lags when extra speed is needed. Also, the transmission kinda jerks when it is down-shifting and then I need to punch it to accelerate. Also there is a rattle that just drives me crazy. It is a fun car to drive. I'm not sure I will buy another ILX. Who knows.

Bought 2 in one year

Ok....so after driving my Mini Cooper hardtop and commuting 70 miles a day 6 days a week I decided it was time to trade in the stick shift and grow up. After looking at all the entry level luxury vehicles, I decided on the Acura ILX. My situation is, I wanted economical luxury. I wanted a car I could drive until the wheels fell off. I wanted a car that I didn't have to make difficult appointments for to get serviced or maintained. I didn't want to worry about what service needed to be done when the service due light came on....a burden I had driving the mini. For me, this car works great! I bought the premium package in black right around when they launched the 2016's... Drove it for a year and realized I had made a huge mistake. Black is a horrible color to keep clean when you commute and don't park in a garage! So when I took my car in today for its second ever service, I was somehow made an offer I couldn't refuse on a brand new white premium with ASPEC. There is a major difference between the two. I love the ASPEC seats and odometer and foot pedals. The front looks less like a beak! I'm so glad I upgraded! Maintence is painless and affordable! No stress car for younger commuter! I'm happy! ***update 1 year later. This car is a great commuter and is so easy for me to get serviced. No hassle ! I'm so glad I got a white car because I think I only washed it 4 times in a year! I'm driving the heck out of it and it's great! Only complaint is the scraping if you exit a driveway or take a dip too fast.. you must be very very slow since the front end sits kind of low. Other than that, no complaints so far!

Can I have my TSX Back Please?

This is my 3rd Honda and my 2nd Acura. After 300K+ miles and 11 years, I gave my old 2004 TSX to my son who is still driving it. I decided to lease a new 2016 ILX after Acura did the redesign of the exterior and put back the peppy and quick VR4 that was in my TSX. On the plus side, the car is just like the TSX: great handling, terrific on corners and curves, super reliable, solid feel, awesome braking, beautiful long drive on the road touring vehicle, takes 5 passengers around town comfortably with room for luggage, and gets lots of compliments on the styling and interior design. Gas mileage is okay - but not the 29 mpg average promised. Only getting 27 consistently when 1-2 passengers, much less with a full car. On the minus side, I wish the car was like the TSX: the dual screen technology seems redundant and is very distracting compared to the single touch screen the TSX had, the acceleration is hesitant - the car seems to 'think' about moving faster before it actually goes into gears. Gas mileage sucks in city driving. Freeway is 31mpg only, not the 35mpg promised. UPDATE after 1 Year: Exterior pain gets stained easily. Design flaw. Looks like the clear coat is easily damaged by on road flying liquids. OVERALL: Great car, just wish Honda/Acura had not removed the 'fun' and 'simple' aspect of the TSX. Sadly, sometimes I want to take back my old TSX from my son and give him the ILX....

ILX 2016 model

This car is great! The ride is snug and very quiet. The only major complaint is storage space within car. My last acura, i had storage in the middle compartment, doors, and behind seats. It doesn't have an overhead storage for glasses either. Besides those minor challenges, the car handles great, i haven't really openned it up, i just reached 1500 miles on it. I am happy with the car, acura makes very good products, look forward to enjoy car for a long time

Electronic safety systems reduce driving effort

**NOTE** ILX not TLX -- I liked everything about this car except for a few items -. Hate the speech recognition system: doesn't recognize my commands, very inflexible command structure,. Cabin noise is to high with the premium tires, the navigation system is not compressive with current systems., even, no speed limit indication, messy to input destinations and 2nd waypoints. The good thing is Siri works well and does understand voice commands. Likes: snappy, 8 speed transmission is outstanding, Best reason to own are the electronic safety controls. These take about 50% of the effort out of long distance driving. Also getting 39 mpg on highway trips. Low roof for tall people

Just an Ok Car

I purchased the car in 2016. I purchased it for the technology and safety features. It’s been OK. The navigation is very slow. And the DVD updates are not updated yearly when they’re supposed to be. The technology is kinda outdated now. But the car runs fine and great mph on the highway.

Thumbs UP!

In October 2018, I purchased a prior leased 2016 Acura ILX with 23k+ miles and I love all things about it with the exception of the road and pronounced engine noise.

Almost Right

This car is almost a great car. The transmission is a bit jerky, particularly when driven at a leisurely pace. You sit very low in this car. As Time went on, getting in and out of this car became increasingly irritating. My wife and I are in our 60s; this may not be of consequence to young people. I never had a problem with the car; for me it was very reliable.

Issues with infotainment

This is my first Acura and generally I am very happy. I haven't had it in for the first service yet but wanted to know if anyone is having issues with the infotainment system. About once a week when I start the car the radio stations will come up with all the programmed numbers wrong. The stations are correct if you select them but the numbers displayed are wrong. Sometimes it will correct itself after a while and sometimes it won't. Twice the backup camera has not gone off when I shift out of reverse and the upper display stays on the back up camera the entire time I am driving. Next time I start it will go back to normal.

Acura ILX 2016 Is A Hidden Great Deal Used

I think because Consumer Reports gave such a bad review of the Acura ILX 2016 (unjustified based upon my direct experience) this car has a great price used. I picked up my car a few months ago in 2022, and it only had 17K miles, with records of regular maintenance visits--it is like a brand new car despite its model year being 6 years old. My only complaint is with the narrow views available due to the stream-lined car. Otherwise, the car looks great, it is fast and luxurious and it gets great gas mileage. The Sport mode allows the driver to use paddles, and if you want to play, it wrings out excellent race car performance and handling. The 2016 model and above received the 201 HP engine with 8 speed dual clutch--which makes this car much better than previous versions. I read through a great number of reviews, and I noticed that all of the reviews seemed to focus on minor issues--such as the trunk size (on a compact) or that the seats in the back did not fold down individually, only the entire seat folded for longer items. Other complaints faulted the interior--which in the premium leather version, I am very happy with the interior. I think the reviews are a case where jaded reviewers do not see the complete value package due to some small pet peeves. This is a great car, and although I have only owned it for a few months, I am very pleased with this vehicle.

55 months- 98000 miles

Like other Hondas I have owned in the past, this 2016 ILX has been flawless. It doesn't drive like a BMW or Audi, but it handles very well and the ride is good, except on rough pavement. I love all of the tech gadgets and the sound system is good. I live in the city, but most of my work commute is on the highway. I am a stickler for gas mileage and this car does not disappoint. It routinely gets over 40 mpg on the highway, averages 36 in mixed driving, and has never clocked less than 31 mpg (winter) on a tank of gas. I run it with regular gas and have seen no difference in performance compared to premium.

Swing and a miss

I bought this car because after test driving it reminded me of my '07 Civic Si, which I sold to go back to school, only a bit more refined. However, having spent a couple months in it, any refinement I perceived was a false assumption based on the Acura badge. I'll start with the positives: The engine is good; it's a rev-happy Honda engine with an okay noise and feels quick enough. Certainly not under powered, though it can feel like it's working a little hard sometimes at 80mph and above. The transmission is pretty good too, but it's an automatic. This car needs a manual transmission. And finally it has the right balance between ride comfort and feel for the road. Now to the bad: everything else. The worse is the driver's seat. The lumbar support is not adjustable. If you don't like to crank lumbar up to 11, you're not going to be comfortable. The upper part of the seat is even worse. There is absolutely no support for the shoulders, and consequently, zero lateral support. If you make a left hand turn at more than 5 mph you’re going to fall into the passenger seat. And somehow my feet even seem to get lifted off the floor when making turns at a reasonable speed, giving an odd weightless feeling that leaves me grasping for something to brace myself on. Which makes driving rather difficult. So you can forget about any spirted driving on twisty mountain roads. Then there’s the fact that in the best position I’ve found, my head is about half an inch from the ceiling, which creates more than a few visibility problems. The rest of the interior just feels cheap, like it was made by Fisher Price. I had been driving a mid-level Ford Fiesta. I assumed that even the cheapest Acura would be a huge upgrade in quality. I was wrong. Here’s the things that were betting in the 3 year older and $12,000 cheaper Ford: Steering/handling; leather wrap on the steering wheel; stereo (the stereo in the ILX is garbage)’ phone call quality; ease of using phone controls…pretty much everything related to the infotainment system. And the overall feel of the interior materials is just not that much, if any, better in the Acura. Also, the trunk is extremely cheap on the ILK. The lid feels like it’s made of tin and weighs about 2lbs. So you might think that if you don’t care about the infotainment system or having the feel of a luxury car, and just want something with decent driving dynamics, this car is worth a look. If it weren’t for the issue with the driver’s seat and lack of a proper 6-speed manual, I might even recommend it. But as it is, there are many other cars in this price range to look at, such as the GTI, WRX, and even the Civic Si.

So Very Disappointed!

Wanted to stay with Honda products, having been an owner of Honda or Acura since 1980. Like the exterior styling of this car very much. However, I have a spine condition and find the buckets are too deep and make my back hurt after 30 minutes. Hate the hesitation with acceleration & feel like I'm driving a tank, but need to make allowances here since I am coming for a car that has 260 hp. Wish I had gone for the Navi on upper level package because there is a stupid black screen behind the clock that is distracting. The cabin feels claustrophobic and small. The seating adjustments are not enough. I'm trying to find a seat cushion to fix the bucket issue, but everything pushes my head into the headliner. I've had this car for 3.5 weeks and am counting the days until I can sell it & get something else. I've sat in every Honda and Acura product and only found 3 seats that were comfortable for my back...Honda Fit & HR-V, and Acura TLX. Latter is too big and hated the push buttons (had those on my teenage car and not going back!), car also too big. Fit is OK, but feels like I'm downgrading from old Acura. HR-V was OK, but don't want an SUV. Finishes on interiors of Honda & Acura products really cheaped out now. Still looking for something to replace this Acura ILX. SOOOOO very disappointed in Honda/Acura now. Feeling really let down by this manufacturer.

Better than my A4

Was talked into buying a 2016 ILX certified pre-owned with 2,000 miles and it was the best life decision I have made. Premium (leather pwr pass /drvr seats, etc.) Acura Watch Plus fully loaded (not A Spec) with 100,000 bumper to bumper, free roadside assistance, those expensive rubber trunk/floor mats,and 7 complimentary oil changes /tire rotations for $27,000 and 0% financing. It handles like my old 1997 A4 Quattro 6 speed and not like the over priced, poorly designed, bastard-driving Audi's-BMWs-Mercs of this generation. I used the paddle shifters to easily drive through icy conditions and felt incredibly safe. It corners as well as my old A4, looks great, and with the Acura Watch Plus, I feel safer than I did in my large SUV. Use your turn signal and the car tells you everything around you. Forget about the turn signal light on the side mirrors, you don't need it. Rear camera, lane departure, adaptive cruise, brake warning, BLIS, all standard with the Acura Watch Plus. The best part is the driver can not only manually enable and disable, but also modify the settings for almost each feature. Couldn't do that with the Volvo, Audi, BMW or Merc I test drove. Got a job in LA and drove this car I-40 from NC to CA and at one point on cruise control, I looked down and the meter registered 500 miles before empty. Normal city driving is usually closer to 350 miles per tank. Cruising at 90+ felt like 55...so watch the speedometer. The nav system takes about 20 seconds to register once you start the car, but it got me through 2500 miles and not one wrong turn. It even automatically reset the time zones for me. I knew exactly where I was all the time. The complaints about its awkwardness is probably from some professional reviewer who was paid by Volvo. The bluetooth is clean and clear and Siri sync works 99.5% of the time if only Apple would update software more often. If I had to complain, the pass through is right at the wheel house, so it narrows and you lose about 12 inches of space where the seat drops. But I was still able to load the trunk with two 40" LED TVs with oops I forget to pack this in the moving van room to spare. People are really impressed with its comfort and style. I drove 2500 miles in 3 days and the seat was incredibly comfortable. Best part is I laugh when I pull up to get gas and all the PREMIUM UNLEADED people watch their $$$ pour right into their tank. My 1997 Audi was great, but when it needed repairs $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and $$. I've owned American muscle cars and European sport sedans and a crappy Nissan Maxima swearing I would NEVER buy a Japanese car again. This Acura is the best car I've EVER owned and I know I will easily and safely get over 100,000 or miles out of it. Shhhh... don't let the secret get out.

Great car!

I got the Premium pkg. This car handles really well. Great pickup, very stable, breaks nicely, feels solid and safe. I am ver happy with the great mileage. The interior is nice and roomy. My husband and son in law, who are tall fit fine, no complaints. Great looker, I love this car. The Navi I'm not too crazy about, but I just use my iPhone; for me, the rest of the great pros override this one feature.

Worth a Second Look

If you’re currently looking at used cars and are considering a Civic, buy one of these instead. You’ll likely find one of similar year with similar km to a Civic for quite a bit less coin, but likely with more features. It’s fantastic on fuel and overall a responsible choice with a “little more”. As the other reviews state, the transmission does act a bit clunky on occasion but it’s not that big of a deal. Also, the key fob can unlock/start the engine from an incredible distance. It’s kind of impressive actually.

Expensive Name with Basic Entertainment

Very disappointed in the hands-free system when in actuality it's Hands-On. You can only dial numbers that are stored in your speed dial other than that you are having to use your phone to dial numbers. While driving your phone book and dialing is not accessible which is the reason why you need these options accessible to you while driving so that it can be hands-free. I feel as though for this car to cost so much that I paid for a basic Ford Focus entertainment system on the inside of it. This car doesn't have a dial pad to dial a number you have to roll the button and push the numbers which is Hands-On. The technology in this car doesn't make sense and is not a safety feature as they say it should be. I feel as though for this car to be as expensive as it is that this Siri radio should have come along with it. But no it's a basic radio station with speakers that are not loud at all and there's no touchscreen to do anything. This is by far the worst car I've bought and wish I would have kept my Hyundai Elantra which features on the inside were so much better than this Acura and I paid 10 - 15 G less. I've contacted Acura numerous of times with only to be told that this will go in a file for my complaints. I sure wish they would give me another car with the features that are basic in other cars or buy this one back. This is a $30,000 car and I am so disappointed in it . I advised them that I would sell them this car back in a heartbeat and now I'm stuck with an expensive car with basic features and a High car payment. So definitely think twice about buying the ILX because you will really be disappointed in the features that they offer you in such an expensive body. Review: nothing has changed for the better. No room in car and I've almost received ticket due to having my phone in hand for trying to make a phone call because the Calling system in the car is poorly done. I've call the company and they still have not tried to rectify my problem or even offer me a better car from my money. Their attitude is oh well. They may would have helped me If I was of political or entertainment status.

Midlife madness

The good , the bad, and the ugly

I was looking forward to driving this car because I liked the styling and have owned two Acura TL's. After owning 10 Honda's also , I thought I'd check it out The car has a nice cockpit but no lumbar support or adjustment so it was out for me with back issues. It is laid out nicely but storage is the least I've seen in any other car. console compartment is small and cheap feeling and the door storage can fit a tennis ball?? My main compmaint is a general one with the CVT transmission on ANY car. It COMPLETELY takes the fun out of driving and one feels like they're a passenger in a very expensive lawn mower or sewing machine. These transmissions are solely for fuel effiiciency. Very effective for that but that's where it ends. In one minute I knew this wasn't the car for me. It shifted five times before I got to 26 mph. The 8 speed transmission makes this worse Over al the car has great styling and will last for hundreds of thousands of miles like all Japanese cars. I just want to actually enjoy the driving experience. Acura is only better than Honda of you can spend over $30K. The Civic is a superior car to the ILX and less expensive. Back to Honda or maybe Subaru

Amazing Car

If you’re looking for an affordable extremely well maintained car, please look no further. On top of that, you’re getting the Acura name and performance. You found it.

Survey

Complete style

I love my new 2016 Acura ILX

I ended up trading in my 2016 Acura ILX after owning it for only 3 months. There was a brake defect where the brakes kept squeaking and after the rotors were replaced once and pads twice, the issue came back. I think a recall will come at some point, but I was not going to wait because I was very disappointed. The other Acura's I have owned have been great, I was very surprised that this car was released with this issue. I traded it for a Mazda CX-3 and it is more fun to drive and and feels more powerful then the Acura. The other issue with the Acura I noticed was the engine hum, it actually bothered my ears when I had the windows open. The 2014 Acura ILX I had I liked better overall after owning this one for 3 months. Before purchasing ask the dealership to give you one of their loaner cars that has a few miles on it and make sure you like driving it in everyday driving. I would recommend buying a used 2013-2015 ILX instead. Or a Mazda 3, I think the Mazda 3 GT would be more fun to drive everyday than the Acura.