2018 Acura ILX vs 2018 Audi A3 - The Car Connection

2018 Acura ILX

2018 Audi A3

Select style

Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
ILX Sedan	25	35	$26,701	$28,100
ILX Sedan w/AcuraWatch Plus	25	35	$27,932	$29,400
ILX Sedan w/Premium Pkg	25	35	$28,595	$30,100
ILX Sedan w/Premium/A-SPEC Pkg	25	35	$30,490	$32,100
ILX Sedan w/Technology Plus Pkg	25	35	$31,437	$33,100
ILX Sedan w/Technology Plus/A-SPEC Pkg	25	35	$33,332	$35,100
ILX Special Edition Sedan	25	35	$27,458	$28,900

Select style

2.0 TFSI Premium FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium FWD	25	33	$35,666	$38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus FWD	25	33	$35,666	$38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro AWD	22	30	$38,178	$41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro AWD	22	30	$38,178	$41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Prestige FWD	25	33	$35,666	$38,350
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro AWD	22	30	$38,178	$41,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium FWD	25	33	$37,248	$40,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus FWD	25	33	$37,248	$40,050
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus quattro AWD	22	30	$39,758	$42,750
A3 Convertible 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium quattro AWD	22	30	$39,758	$42,750
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium FWD	26	35	$29,714	$31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus FWD	26	35	$29,714	$31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro AWD	24	31	$32,504	$34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro AWD	24	31	$32,504	$34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Prestige FWD	26	35	$29,714	$31,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro AWD	24	31	$32,504	$34,950
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium FWD	26	35	$31,296	$33,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus FWD	26	35	$31,296	$33,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus quattro AWD	24	31	$34,086	$36,650
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium quattro AWD	24	31	$34,086	$36,650
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium	N/A	N/A	$36,736	$39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Premium Plus	N/A	N/A	$36,736	$39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Prestige	N/A	N/A	$36,736	$39,500
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Tech Premium	N/A	N/A	$37,806	$40,650
A3 Sportback e-tron 1.4 TFSI PHEV Tech Premium Plus	N/A	N/A	$37,806	$40,650
RS 3 2.5 TFSI S Tronic	19	28	$51,058	$54,900
S3 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus	22	28	$40,596	$43,650
S3 2.0 TFSI Prestige	22	28	$40,596	$43,650
S3 2.0 TFSI Tech Premium Plus	22	28	$42,362	$45,550
S3 2.0 TFSI Tech Prestige	22	28	$42,362	$45,550

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$26,701

$35,666

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$28,100

$38,350

Monthly Payment Estimate

$468 / month

$639 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

5.8

Read Our Full Review

7.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Acura ILX is an acceptable entry-level luxury car, but a loaded-up mainstream model like the Honda Civic delivers more features and refinements for less money.

The 2018 Audi S3 is a blast to drive, but it suffers from a tiny rear seat and the Volkswagen Golf R offers the same performance with more room for less.

TCC Likes

Rev-happy engine
Excellent transmission
Good safety features

Tremendous performance bang for buck
Great powertrain
High-end LTE connectivity

TCC Dislikes

Based on the old Honda Civic
Interior space compromised
Not exactly upscale interior

Tiny rear seat
No manual transmission
Gets pricey with options

Fuel Economy

City

25 mpg

Highway

35 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Subcompact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

35.9

36.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)

89.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.5

45.7

Front Leg Room (in)

42.3

41.2

Front Hip Room (in)

50.3

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

31.9

Front Head Room (in)

37.4

Second Hip Room (in)

51.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.6

54.8

Exterior Dimensions

Length, Overall (in)

181.9

174.1

Height, Overall (in)

55.6

55.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.2

60.1

Wheelbase (in)

105.1

102.2

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.6

70.7

Track Width, Front (in)

59.4

61.2

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.3

9.9

Brakes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.1

10.7

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

13.2

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.8

36.1

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/45VR17

P225/45HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/45VR17

P225/45HR17

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3093

3428

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

17 X 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

17 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

140

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

410

320

Engine

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

180 @ 3800

221 @ 1600

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.4 L/144

2.0 L/121

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

201 @ 6800

186 @ 4400

Engine Type

Premium Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Description Cont.

Auto-Shift Manual w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.74

0.76

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.08

3.40

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.48

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.94

4.77

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.61

1.77

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.96

0.70

Trans Description Cont. Again

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.62

0.64

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.22

2.90

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.18

2.75

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.22

0.93

Summary

Vehicle Name

Acura ILX

Audi A3 Cabriolet

Body Style

Sedan

Cabriolet

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.1

6.3

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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