2021 Acura ILX vs. Its Competition

2021 Acura ILX
Andrew Ganz Andrew Ganz Senior Editor

The ILX appeals mostly for its luxury car badge and a sub-$30,000 price tag.

Spend a little more—and it may not be a lot more if you’re leasing or financing—and the Audi A3 is a highly compelling choice with plenty of tech and available all-wheel drive.

The BMW 2-Series is stylish and sporty, though it can get expensive fast.

So too the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but there’s something to be said about parking a car with the three-pointed star in your garage.

Don’t bypass the Honda Civic—the latest model is leaps and bounds ahead of the ILX, and it’s less expensive.

Mazda’s 3 splits the difference between mainstream and luxury, and the sporty sedan and hatchback should be on every shopping list.

2021 Acura ILX2021 Acura ILX
2021 BMW 2-Series Competition Coupe Side Exterior View2021 BMW 2-Series
2021 Honda Civic2021 Honda Civic
2021 Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo2021 Mazda MAZDA3
2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class2021 Mercedes-Benz A Class
2020 Audi A32020 Audi A3
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Quick Specs
4.7
The 2021 Acura ILX is cheap for a luxury badge, but it’s not especially luxurious.
6.0
No matter the flavor, the 2021 BMW 2-Series lineup offers plenty of appeal—if not so much back-seat room.
6.7
The 2021 Honda Civic doesn’t let social responsibility get in the way of a good time.
6.7
The 2021 Mazda 3 straddles the mainstream and upscale markets with a quality cabin, power that ranges from pedestrian to plentiful, and available all-wheel drive.
6.6
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a cheap way to get into the three-pointed star’s lineup, but it doesn’t skimp on much.
6.7
The 2020 Audi A3 is a well-equipped entry-level compact sedan that delivers more substance than flash.
MSRP From     
$26,100$35,700$21,250$20,650$33,650$33,300
Gas Mileage     
24 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy18 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy23 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy22 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Premium Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4
EPA Class     
Compact CarsCompact CarsLarge CarsCompact CarsSubcompact CarsSubcompact Cars
Style Name     
Sedan228i Gran CoupeLX CVT2.0 FWDA 220 SedanPremium 40 TFSI
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
555555
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
SedanSedanHatchbackSedanSedanSedan
Transmission     
Auto-Shift Manual w/ODAutomatic w/ODCVT w/ODAutomatic w/ODAuto-Shift Manual w/ODAuto-Shift Manual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2021 Acura ILX vs. 2021 BMW 2-Series2021 Acura ILX vs. 2021 Honda Civic2021 Acura ILX vs. 2021 Mazda MAZDA32021 Acura ILX vs. 2021 Mercedes-Benz A Class2021 Acura ILX vs. 2020 Audi A3