Acura ILX

2013 Acura ILX

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With Acura rapidly--if unpredictably--revamping its brand image at every opportunity, it's no surprise the company decided a new model would help it reach a new audience. Enter the Acura ILX, aimed squarely at a mature group of youthful buyers (younger Generation Xers and most of Generation Y).

Introduced for the 2013 model year, the ILX is based on the core technology of the Honda Civic, but with its own exterior, a much-upgraded interior, and its own equipment list--all intended to bring a compact luxury sedan into Acura's fold.

Three models are available in its initial year, all front-wheel drive: the base 2.0-liter model, powered by a 150-horsepower four-cylinder paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. A 201-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder comes in the sporty offering, paired to a six-speed manual transmission only. The ILX Hybrid completes the range, using a 1.5-liter four-cylinder and an integrated hybrid drive system for 111 horsepower and an EPA estimated 38 mpg highway.

There are three main trim specs for the ILX: the base model, the Premium Package, and the Technology Package. The standard ILX specification includes cloth seats with leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth hands-free calling, a power moonroof, keyless entry with pushbutton start, rear-view camera, and more.

The Premium Package adds leather seating, eight-way adjustable power driver's seat, heated front seats, a multi-view rear camera, and a premium sound system. The Technology Package (not available on the 2.4-liter model) adds navigation with voice recognition and real-time traffic and weather, the premium sound system, and AcuraLink satellite communication services.

The standard ILX 2.0L rates an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The ILX 2.4L focuses on sporty driving, but still manages 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the ILX Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.

With comfortable ride quality, a still-somewhat-sporty demeanor in the turns, and the performance-oriented ILX 2.4L, the newest Acura offers a taste of sport-sedan in the entry-luxury arena, while the 2.0L model is a relatively efficient commuter, and the Hybrid ekes out better-than-average fuel economy, though it comes up short on power (compared to other small luxury cars) and gas mileage (compared to other hybrids). Rather than focusing on any one of these aspects, the ILX seeks to deliver a balance of luxury, performance, style, and efficiency that appeals to the younger professional.

Being a brand-new model, none of the safety agencies have yet crash-tested the Acura ILX.