2016 Acura ILX Review: Big Changes Make The ILX Competitive, Not A Segment Leader

Timothy Cain
by Timothy Cain

For the entry-level Acura’s fourth model year, the ILX is undergoing a complete powertrain transformation. LED headlights and trim-line changes further differentiate the refreshed 2016 ILX, but the less visible changes are the real difference makers.

• U.S. Market Price As Tested: $35,810

• Horsepower: 201 @ 6800 rpm

• Torque: 180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

• Observed Fuel Economy: 29 mpg

Gone is the ILX Hybrid, the base ILX’s 2.0L four-cylinder, and Acura’s last remaining manual transmission. The sole powerplant is now a 201-horsepower 2.4L from base versions of the TLX.

The Honda Civic-based ILX therefore isn’t using the exact same engine as the range-topping Civic Si, and it’s certainly not using any of the Civic’s transmissions. Instead, the 2016 ILX is equipped with an 8-speed dual-clutch unit.

Honda figured out a way to make the DCT operate with a torque converter, and as a result, it’s a more refined dual-clutch transmission (especially at lower around-town speed) than you’ll encounter elsewhere in the dual-clutch universe, though without some of the hard-hitting edge of some competitors. There’s also an aggressive Sport mode for twisty roads and people who drive around downtown on Saturday nights, windows down, one gear too low, with revs wailing. To impress the ladies, maybe.

Consequently, compared with both the former base and up-level engines, the 2016 ILX is a significantly quicker car; the extra ponies enhancing the performance compared with the old 2.0L and the 8-speed transmission producing faster shifts compared with the outgoing 2.4L/manual combo. As you’d expect from Honda, the 2.4L revs sweetly and makes a pleasant noise.

At the very least, the ILX is now sufficiently powerful, but that’s only one element in terms of what could make an appealing entry-level luxury sports sedan. Don’t be fooled by the A-Spec package – aside from 18-inch wheels, it’s cosmetic.

The ILX doesn’t turn-in with sports car gusto and the steering is generally lacking in feel. There’s noticeable body roll, but it’s not excessive in the real world. The car rides stiffly, especially out back, but not too stiffly. Grip and feel was likely limited during the car’s visit by the Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires on this Honda Canada-supplied press car, but those tires didn’t camouflage the fact that the ILX treads middle ground between performance sedans and conventional, mainstream small sedans.

The ILX also resides in a neutral territory inside, where the interior is a mix of upmarket Acura design and lower-tier Honda materials. The plastic surround on the centre tunnel, for example, is rock hard. The climate control unit would be suitable in a Fit. But the (unintuitive) dual screens, buttons for autonomous Lane Keeping Assist and adaptive cruise control, an effective Cross Traffic monitoring system, and “lux-suede inserts” on the seats would be suitable in an MDX.

Perhaps of greater importance is the spacious back seat and flat rear floor, which aren’t at all the norm in this category. Parents who periodically move child seats between cars won’t be happy with the location of the LATCH anchors, but the overall sensation inside is of sufficient space, not claustrophobia.

In isolation, the ILX is not a disappointing car, particularly when luxed-up and body-kitted like this loaded A-Spec car. But the overly stiff rear suspension and the way the ILX crashes over harsh pavement imperfections reminds me of just how serenely the Buick Verano Turbo makes its way down the road. The ILX’s steering is too numb and its lack of outright athleticism too apparent not to bring to mind the Audi A3’s GTI-like ride and handling balance. And while the additional standard horsepower of the 2016 model finally makes the ILX a competitive car, the 2.4L is surely no torque-monster. These aren’t the VTEC high-revvers of yesteryear – the ILX feels decently quick before it’s revving past 6000 rpm – but with only 180 lb-ft of torque, it’s down by 78 lb-ft compared with Mercedes-Benz’s CLA250, a car which never wants for instant shove. There are ways in which the ILX is better than all these cars, but the Acura’s comparative deficiencies are more obvious than its advantages.

We’ve yet to see the impact of the refreshed ILX’s launch, as this is a 2016 model year vehicle released early in 2015. It’s undoubtedly an improved car, but will near-luxury buyers even know that it’s an updated car? The ILX first arrived three years ago and this refreshed car isn’t obviously new.

U.S. sales peaked at 20,430 units in its first full year, 2013, but the ILX fell 13% in 2014 and first-quarter volume in 2015 is off last year’s pace by 15%. Year-to-date, the ILX sells less than half as often as the Buick Verano, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Audi A3. This least costly Acura accounts for 25% of the brand’s car volume; 14% of total Acura sales.

In order for Honda to move the ILX up the leaderboard and make it a more meaningful product in Acura showrooms, it would need to feel a lot more special than this. “Not special” is a vague verdict, but it can be summed up this way: our test car was a (USD) $35,810 version of a car that starts at $28,820, and it’s abundantly clear that the foundation of that car is a sedan that starts below $20K.

Humble origins aren’t a problem. The failure to adequately mask those origins, however, in a $35K+ car, in an arena controlled by Germans which are afforded special status on the basis of their badges alone, is in fact a problem.

Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures.

Timothy Cain
Timothy Cain

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  • Jacob Jacob on Apr 21, 2015

    A glorified civic. Dunno why anyone would buy this or TLX if offered a comparison side-by-side with a Honda Accord EX-L, or EX-L V6 touring.

    • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Apr 21, 2015

      I prefer the TLX aesthetics but yes I agree with you - esp since TLX and ILX are built on the same lines as Accord and Civic.

  • Jrasero23 Jrasero23 on Sep 23, 2015

    Looked at an ILX in 2012 when it was first released and I was shocked how it was literally just a Civic, literally the leather felt the same, noise reduction, the same, ride the same, 1st year didn't come with leather or powered seats standard, and even the driving experience the same, but you paid thousands of dollars more and it required premium fuel. You might have guessed I passed. The 2nd gen is much improved and looks a whole lot better and really this is what the 1st gen should have been. Now we can go on and on how a top of the line A-SPEC Technology Plus goes for $35,810 and you could get "x" car for that amount and that is true but that isn't the whole story. When I was recently at the Acura dealer I considered getting an ultra low cost lease on an ILX but decided on a RDX but I saw the TrueCar price was $31,372. Now with that said does that change your tune? It does for me since the cars the ILX competes with start around $31,000 like the Audi A3 and Merecedes CLA and these are the base models. Okay so I understand people's qualms about Acura. They aren't exciting, they don't have the cache of German cars, and they lack the details even found on a top of the line Chevy, but the word to best way to sum up why people buy them is: SAFE. I am not not just talking about a safe vehicle to drive which it is, but also a safe car to buy since it isn't wildly/daringly styled, has good reliability, good gas millage, and great resale value. People like DeadWeight are out of their minds saying that a Buick Verano is better than this. While a Verano offers a few more features it's frumpy looks, tacky side vents, piss poor reliability, and horrid resale is unbelievably bad. DeadWeight before you speak THINK. For a guy that is on here so much talking about cars you know nothing about them. I am not saying the ILX is a great car but to say a Buick Verano is better is well just insane. To put this in other terms, there is a big difference between MSRP and sale price. As I mentioned a fully loaded A-SPEC Technology Plus ILX on TrueCar is $31,372, a base Mercedes CLA is $32,050. A 2016 Turbo Verano in comparison TrueCar has it at $28k-$29k. In my humble opinion that extra $2k-3K grand for an Acura over a Buick is worth it's price in residual value and reliability alone.

  • CanadaCraig VOTE NO VW!
  • Joe This is called a man in the middle attack and has been around for years. You can fall for this in a Starbucks as easily as when you’re charging your car. Nothing new here…
  • AZFelix Hilux technical, preferably with a swivel mount.
  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
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