2013 Acura ILX Pros and Cons: Why (Not) This Car?

	Compared to the Jetta
Powertrain performance	Better Worse

The Integra sold well partly because it was fun to drive. Two-pedal ILXs aren't. They're powered by either a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter engine or a 111-horsepower 1.5-liter hybrid. You'll be hard-pressed to find a car with a sticker price over $35,000 that's more sluggish than the latter. But if you're willing to shift your own gears, Acura's outstanding six-speed manual is paired with the 201-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine from the Honda Civic Si and heavier Acura TSX. With a 7,000 rpm power peak and little shove below 4,000 rpm, the 2.4 must be revved for thrills. But the solid, precise shifter and willingness of the engine to spin make this a joy rather than a chore. This said, torque junkies will be happier with a turbocharged competitor like the upcoming Audi A3 sedan or Buick Verano 2.0T. Until these arrive, the ILX 2.4L has no direct competitors aside from a 2005.5-2011 Volvo S40. I personally prefer the sound and feel of a non-turbo engine.

Handling

Better Worse

More than for its straight-line performance, the Integra was prized for how it handled. The Acura ILX doesn't dazzle in this area. A Jetta GLI feels more composed in aggressive driving (but much rougher otherwise). The ILX's steering doesn't feel as quick as that of the half-size-larger, 400-pound-heavier TSX, while being equally incommunicative. But the ILX has a light, tossable feel the GLI and TSX lack. If other upscale compacts feel too heavy to you, the ILX could be your best bet.

Materials & workmanship

Better Worse

Acura has struggled with a semi-premium position, nicer than a Honda but a clear cut or two below a top-tier luxury make. Let's focus on "nicer than a Honda." The ILX has a much higher quality interior than the current Civic. Faint praise, perhaps, but it's also a clear cut or two above a Mazda3 or VW Jetta GLI, avoiding direct competition with these driver-oriented compacts. A Buick Verano is a closer match.

Front seat support & comfort

Better Worse

For me, Acura's front seats provide a very good combination of lateral support and comfort. Opinions of seats are bound to vary from person to person, though, as it's difficult to design one seat to fit all shapes and sizes of people.

Driving position & visibility

Better Worse

The view forward is a touch bunker-like, owing to smallish windows, but it's far better than in the Civic, which has a much more steeply raked windshield and a massive, bi-level instrument panel.

	Compared to the Jetta
Price or payments	Better Worse

Though it's smaller and feels less substantial, the ILX 2.4L is priced nearly as high as the TSX: $30,095. A price closer to 29k would make the new car more competitive. After adjusting for feature differences, a VW Jetta GLI is about $3,500 less.

Fuel economy

Better Worse

Why doesn't Acura offer the larger four-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission? Likely because its fuel economy is already iffy with the stick. The EPA ratings are 22 MPG city, 31 highway. One benefit of turbochargers is that they enable lower rpm shifts and taller gearing. A Jetta GLI matches the Acura in the city, and does a couple MPG better on the highway. Not bad, but you'll find some much more powerful, much larger cars that score better than either of them.

Rear seat room & comfort

Better Worse

The ILX's rear seat is considerably tighter than that in the Civic--functionality has been sacrificed in favor of a stylishly lower roofline. Six-foot passengers won't quite fit.