The 2018 Acura ILX is powered by a 2.4-liter I-4 rated at 201 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and it comes paired exclusively to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy ratings are 25/35 mpg city/highway. There’s 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space and it can be expanded via the folding rear seats.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/start, heated front seats, LED headlights, leatherette upholstery, a multi-information display, a 5.0-inch screen, and Bluetooth connectivity. Options include 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation, a larger 8.0-inch screen, leather upholstery, a moonroof, fog lights, and an ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec package adds a rear spoiler, side sills, red instrument lighting, aluminum pedals, suede inserts on the seats, fog lights, and unique 18-inch alloy wheels.
Safety
The NHTSA gave the 2018 ILX a five-star overall safety score (out of a possible five stars). The IIHS has yet to test the 2018 ILX but the 2017 model received a Good score on all crashworthiness tests except the headlights test, where it received a Marginal rating (Good is the highest possible score). In the front crash prevention test, the ILX received a Superior rating after it reduced the impact speed of a 12-mph collision by 11 mph and the impact speed of a 25-mpg crash by 15 mph (Superior is the highest score for front crash prevention).
Available as a its own package, AcuraWatch bundles together forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and road departure mitigation. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are available as part of the Premium and Technology packages.
What We Think
In a 2016 First Drive, we said that the 201-hp 2.4-liter I-4 offers plenty of power and the dual-clutch automatic fires off quick shifts to keep the car in its power band. The car’s steering is surprisingly well-calibrated and linear, making it easy to operate when driving through winding roads. Cabin noise levels are low thanks to the addition of noise cancelling tech in the car. However, the interior has minimal headroom as we noted in a 2016 First Test. The infotainment system, on other hand, has way too many buttons and can be finicky to use. Although it has folding rear seats, it only folds as a single piece, making it less practical than some of its rivals.