2021 Acura ILX Review

Name: 2021 Acura ILX
Brand: Acura

Price Range: $16,445 - $25,990

Acura ILX Technology and A-SPEC Packages Sedan Exterior Shown

The 2021 Acura ILX feels like a car stuck in time. It looks fairly stylish and in line with Acura's other products, but the interior, powertrain and technology features are dated and not up to the standard set by the segment leaders. That said, the ILX is significantly less expensive than rivals such as the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

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Average price: $21,224

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Appraise My 2021 Acura ILX

Acura ILX model years

Acura ILX for Sale

Pros

Plenty of features for the money
Good fuel economy

Cons

Lightweight, plasticky interior trim
Overly stiff ride
Many tech features are outdated
Leisurely acceleration, especially for the class

What's new

Navigation system adds real-time traffic information
Part of the first ILX generation introduced for 2013

Overview

Written by automotive expert Travis Langness

12/17/2020

The ILX is a small entry-level luxury sedan from Acura. The least expensive vehicle in the automaker's lineup, the ILX offers a luxury badge at an affordable price. As you'd probably expect from a luxury brand, the ILX comes with lots of standard safety features, but there are some missing elements. Unlike rival sedans from BMW and Mercedes, the 2021 Acura ILX doesn't feel as modern or as special as it should. It also doesn't feel as refined as it should. To find out more about the ILX and how it stacks up against competitors, read the full Expert Rating below.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

26 listings

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2021 Acura ILX
Base Sedan w/Premium Package
$21,900
fair price
$487 above market
- 46,932 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 24 City / 34 Hwy MPG
- 1 US Motors (69 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Edgewood, MD
Vehicle Overview: **Vehicles come with complimentary Lifetime Powertrain warranty (with Qualifying purchase) The Eprice does not include state taxes s...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (24 City/34 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 19UDE2F76MA001545
Stock: 001545
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2021 Acura ILX
Base Sedan w/Premium and A-Spec Packages
$20,487
fair price
$217 above market
- 93,475 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, rental vehicle
- 24 City / 34 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (177 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Roanoke, VA
CarFax No Accidents Reported,Rare Find,Apple CarPlay,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Heated Seats,Keyless Start,Lane Keeping ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (24 City/34 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 19UDE2F80MA001890
Stock: RL036314PAA
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

6.6

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Acura ILX on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

6/10

How does the ILX drive? Overall, the ILX is underwhelming to drive. Acceleration is sluggish, and you really have to dip into the gas before it picks up. Passing on the highway and accelerating on an on-ramp are fine but a step or two behind what you experience in the class leaders. Performance from the brakes and steering are equally lackluster. Emergency braking distances are also longer than average.

The ILX improves when experienced at a higher pace, with relatively agile handling. There's a moderate amount of body roll, but the ILX works with it and feels mostly composed. Better tires could go a long way since the standard all-season rubber doesn't match what the ILX feels like it could deliver. The dual-clutch transmission is a high point, with quick, smooth shifts and none of the low-speed lurching you'll find in less refined transmissions.

Comfort

6.5/10

How comfortable is the ILX? The ILX doesn't meet our standards for how comfortable a luxury car should be. The driver's seat is comfortable enough, with decent bolstering and soft cushions, but it lacks the same level of adjustment you'll find in competitors. The cushions only go so far to smooth out the ILX's less-than-stellar ride. It feels a bit too firm all the time. While that quality helps the car feel sporty and nimble, it also means the ILX crashes over bumps.

The cabin is also just too loud. The idle is rough, and the buzzy engine's exhaust note never goes away. There's also a good bit of wind and road noise, especially at highway speeds. You just don't get the same level of isolation you do in other cars in this class.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? Acura's two-screen infotainment system is disappointing. It's unclear what information gets sent to which display without pulling out the menu, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay appear on the top non-touchscreen display. The menus aren't intuitive to navigate, and overall it's several steps behind the class leaders. Controls not linked to the infotainment system are much better. They're easy to read and reach, and most major systems have dedicated buttons.

The relatively roomy interior is let down by a driver's seat that won't go down far enough. On more than one occasion, one of our test drivers hit his head on the roof when driving over large bumps. Otherwise, there is ample legroom and shoulder room, and backseat passengers won't feel confined or compressed. The view out of the ILX is also fine, with large windows and relatively thin windshield pillars.

Technology

6/10

How’s the tech? The ILX is way behind the times in terms of tech. The infotainment system is the same one you found in Honda and Acura products five or so years ago and hasn't been updated since. The two-screen setup is frustrating to use. The audio quality is fine for audiobooks and podcasts but lacks pop when playing music.

Likewise, the ILX's driver aids feel a generation behind the leaders. The system is cautious and unrefined, sending up false readings on multiple occasions. The adaptive cruise control leaves large gaps and doesn't work below 20 mph, a major knock since that's when these systems are often most useful.

Storage

6.5/10

How’s the storage? The ILX's storage is a mixed bag. Most modern small sedans have places to hold a phone and door pockets large enough to store a bottle of water or two. The ILX does not. The center console is a decent size, but the bin in front of the shifter is small and the front door pockets are narrow. The rear lacks pockets altogether. The 12.4-cubic-foot trunk is a nice size and roomier than the trunks of cars such as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but the trunk hinge design cuts into overall storage.

Things are a bit more sunny when it comes to installing child safety seats. The rear doors open relatively wide, and there's a decent amount of space. Larger rear-facing seats might be a tight fit, but that's not unusual for vehicles in this class. The outboard rear seats both have car seat anchors that are relatively easy to access.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Acura ILX gets 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We managed an impressive 33.3 mpg on our evaluation route. That's as good as or better than just about every other entry-level luxury sedan.

Value

8/10

Is the ILX a good value? The ILX is priced significantly less than its rivals. It's not lacking features either. There's also a decent suite of standard driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. In interior quality, it isn't quite as premium as other luxury sedans, but it's a step up from what you'll find in most cars at this price point.

The warranty coverage is typical. Acura offers a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. You also get four years/50,000 miles of roadside assistance, though there's no included maintenance as you'll find with some rivals.

Wildcard

6.5/10

The ILX looks sharp. The design is handsome without feeling overdone, and there are obvious connections to Acura's other models, including the NSX. The interior too looks pretty good, though it's not quite as good-looking as the exterior.

Unfortunately, it's not quite as good to drive as it looks. The ILX shares some mechanical bits with the old Honda Civic Si, including the 201-horsepower 2.4-liter engine. The issue is that the power is all at the top end, so you really have to work to get peak performance. And while the chassis feels pretty nimble, the lifeless steering dampens much of the fun.

2021 Acura ILX trim level differences

The Acura ILX starts with a reasonably well-equipped base trim level and offers three major upgrade packages: Premium, A-Spec and Technology. All trim levels use a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (201 horsepower, 180 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The ILX is front-wheel-drive only. Compare the 2021 Acura ILX trim levels in-depth.

Which ILX trim does Edmunds recommend?

While the base ILX comes with a number of standard safety features, we recommend upgrading a bit by going with the optional Premium package. It adds smartphone integration along with an upgraded stereo and some improved interior materials. Plus, the Premium adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert — one of the few safety features that doesn't come standard on the ILX.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$159/mo

$148/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2021 Acura ILX has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #1 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent

#1 out of 26 among Luxury Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$372/yr

vs. $554/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Frequency

0.86x/yr

vs. 1.57x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Severity

4.4%

vs. 11.1%
for Average Luxury Compact Car

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2021 Acura ILX

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles

Acura ILX Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

27 reviews

5(67%)

4(11%)

3(4%)

2(11%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

2020 ILX an Incredible Vehicle

Rob, 05/14/2020

2020 Acura ILX Technology and A-SPEC Packages 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM)

Before purchasing this car, I did a TON of reading both professional and consumer reviews as well as watching YouTube review videos. Some professional reviewers get behind the wheel, floor the gas pedal, and then say it's noisy and not fast enough. But the truth is most drivers don't floor the gas in everyday driving. For a driver like myself going to work every day in a normal commute I …

Good bang for the buck

D, 03/19/2021

2021 Acura ILX 4dr Sedan w/Technology and A-Spec Packages (2.4L 4cyl 8AM)

Great entry level luxury sedan, from the sporty look and feel to the excellent handling. We opted for all the upgrades, A-spec, premium and technology packages. Nice jump off the line, but not as robust once going 60 or more, but that is a tradeoff. The voice navigation system is well done, allowing for hands free lookup and routing to restaurants, shopping and other points of …

The Best Car I've Ever Owned

Scott, 07/04/2020

2020 Acura ILX Premium Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM)

I first saw the ILX at the auto show near me in February and was immediately drawn in by its styling, logical controls, and price. My daily driver was a 2011 Civic at the time, which had been consistently reliable and had a nice character to it. (It's now my second/backup car; why get rid of a perfectly good vehicle?) Honda's reputation for quality and reliability was the first factor in … my decision to look further into this car. When I started researching it, I was shocked to see so many negative reviews. Then I realized what they were comparing the car to. This isn't one of those cars that young people drag down the freeway. It's also not an Audi or Mercedes in terms of price (I even cross-shopped the Mercedes-Benz A220 along with the Honda Accord). What this car truly represents is a step between mainstream vehicles (Accord, Camry, etc) and full-blown luxury (BMW 3 Series, Audi A4). It's a spot which, at one time, belonged to the Oldsmobile Cutlass. You bought a Cutlass to step up from Chevy and after you had your performance car phase with Pontiac. It wasn't a Cadillac, but you didn't need a Cadillac--just something that was a little nicer than your Malibu. Oldsmobile (and Mercury, for that matter) are long gone, so many people have trouble placing a "step up" model these days. What the ILX gives you is a car that is fun to drive, is very comfortable, and is easy to use. Controls are often difficult to figure out on new cars; even something as simple as shifting into drive can be a challenge for someone who hasn't bought a new car in a while. The ILX uses traditional controls and was very easy to learn, even coming from a low-tech model like a 2011 Civic. It's also nice to see a car with a non-turbo engine and a regular automatic transmission rather than a CVT. You even get a CD player. Some of us appreciate the old-school touches like that, especially knowing what long term reliability and proven performance look like! I have no problems with the interior materials, and I even sat in the A220 and rented an Evoque last year! The leather is high grade and the plastic, in no way, feels cheap. The steering wheel has a very nice feel to it as well. The dual screen setup, to me, is a huge perk. I worked with a similar system on an older Accord a few years back and I'm shocked Honda seems to want to phase it out. It was easy to learn and works very well. Again, it's a proven winner. Regarding comparisons to Civics--I have a Civic and have driven the current model. These are two entirely different vehicles in character and refinement. The Civic may have more performance options in the Si trim, but if you're buying the ILX, you're probably looking more for refinement, not to win a drag race. That's what this car gives you--a lot of luxury in a small package. Just because it's derived from the Civic doesn't make it a Civic. Remember, the CR-V was also derived from the Civic platform and is an entirely different vehicle. As a longtime Civic owner, I can also tell you that being related to the Civic is a good thing. Aside from age-related maintenance like a muffler and brakes, my Civic has never let me down, 145K miles later. I drove an Accord as well and it's a similar car in terms of feel, but smaller. In fact, the ILX feels more like a small Accord with a few refinements. A comparably-equipped Accord is bigger, but $5000 more. If you don't consistently haul around passengers but want the luxury, go for the ILX. The Accord is a little bit quieter in terms of road noise if that matters to you, but also has a steeper learning curve with some controls. To sum this up: test-drive the ILX and see for yourself what a wonderful car it really is. I've enjoyed every minute behind the wheel of mine since purchasing it and am looking forward to having it as my daily driver for a long time.

Very satisfied

Percy, 10/11/2020

2020 Acura ILX Premium Package 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 8AM)

I purchased a 2020 ILX Premium. Not my first Acura. This car is everything it is designed for. Easy to drive, stylish, comfortable for four, power when you need it, smooth on the highway, smooth in town traffic. Fit and finish, very satisfied. Price is great. It is not a Civic, it is not a BMW. If I wanted one of those I would have bought one.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Acura ILX, so we've included reviews for other years of the ILX since its last redesign.

2021 ILX Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$25,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$159/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the ILX models:

Collision Mitigation Braking System: Warns if a front collision is imminent and will apply the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Keeping Assist System: Warns if you are drifting out of your lane without signaling and will nudge the car back if no action is taken.
Blind-Spot Information System: Indicates if a car is lurking in your blind spot and will beep if you signal for a lane change in that direction.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Acura ILX Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Acura ILX trim level differences

Which ILX trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Acura ILX Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 ILX Highlights

Safety

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