Used 2016 Acura ILX

Acura is hitting the reset button with the 2016 Acura ILX. The first iteration of the compact luxury sedan stumbled out of the gate – while it was a good looking sedan, the driving experience was far too similar to its corporate cousin, the Honda Civic. So Acura went back to the drawing board, adding a new drivetrain, updating the exterior and interior styling, offering new technology, and making the car quieter on the road. The result is overwhelmingly positive: The 2016 Acura ILX is a substantially improved car, one that breaks the tie it had to the Honda Civic, and one that deserves consideration against competitors, not just the Buick Verano, but Mercedes-Benz CLA250 and Audi A3 as well.

The powertrain in the new Acura ILX combines last year’s best engine with the 8-speed automatic we’ve already enjoyed in the new Acura TLX. The most remarkable thing about the new transmission’s operation is how unremarkable it really is. Put it in Drive and go about your business, and you’ll never notice it, and when in Sport – especially when you’re shifting for yourself using the steering wheel-mounted paddles – the shifts are crisp and quick, but never jarring. The ILX sedan is just as quick as last year’s sportiest model, and the improved steering and suspension make the ILX surprisingly fun on a mountain road, and equally comfortable just cruising around town. The new ILX is also notably quieter than last year’s car. It’s no Rolls-Royce, but it’s a big improvement, and a quick back-to-back comparison showed just how noisy the old car was.

The best improvement Acura made to the new ILX interior is the gift of silence. There’s far less road and wind noise, and the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder’s song is satisfyingly sporty, and heard at just the right time. Otherwise, it’s fairly standard issue for this class of sedan. There’s good use of materials, not too much hard plastic, comfortable seats in front and rear, and intuitive controls. Well, mostly – some griped that the 2-tier screen system could use another pass through the ergonomics department, but others use it just fine. A-Spec model seats get unique fabric and gray contrast stitching.

The ILX was already visually distinctive from the Honda Civic sedan, but Acura’s tweaks to the 2016 ILX bring it in line with the current Acura aesthetic. First are the Jewel Eye headlights – the multi-lensed LEDs now found on all Acura vehicles – however these have a separate bar of LED running lights, and it looks pretty good. The new headlights flank a redesigned grille, and it’s all above a reshaped bumper. Out back are new LED-accented taillights and a reshaped bumper. All models get new wheels, with A-Spec models getting the first 18-inch wheels fitted to the ILX.

8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Dual-clutch automatic transmissions – which automate the function of a manual transmission for quicker shifting – are offered from several manufacturers, but the Acura version has a twist: There’s an old-school torque converter also, providing a torque boost and smoother operation overall.

TETHERED NAVIGATION APP
For midgrade ILX models without the full navigation suite, Acura offers a smartphone-based solution. Incorporating an app ($60) and a special HDMI adapter cable ($99), iPhone owners can use their phone and data plan for navigation, rather than upgrade to a higher trim level.

In addition to the 2.4-liter engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, all new ILX sedans come packed with premium features. The 2016 Acura ILX comes standard with things like a rearview camera with multiple views, automatic headlights, dual-zone GPS-linked climate control, passive entry with push-button start, and an 8-way power driver’s seat. Both front seats are heated, and keeping things quiet are noise-abating wheels and active noise cancellation. The ILX also comes standard with Siri Eyes Free, which allows access to the iPhone’s digital assistant with the push of a button on the steering wheel.

Acura is breaking with tradition on the new ILX, offering its advanced AcuraWatch safety system suite as a standalone package on base and Premium models, rather than making it only available on the most expensive model. Otherwise, Premium models add leather seats, blind-spot warning with a cross-traffic monitor, the iPhone navigation connectivity mentioned earlier, and an audio upgrade. The top-line Technology Plus models get AcuraWatch standard, as well as an even better audio system and built-in navigation. An A-Spec package adds 18-inch wheels and sporty trim inside and out.

All 2016 Acura ILX models get the same engine this year: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 8-speed is a dual-clutch setup, meaning it’s more like a computer-operated manual transmission than a traditional automatic. But Acura also uses a torque converter in the system for better power delivery and a more familiar feel. Technobabble aside, it’s smooth and quick, especially when you use the steering wheel-mounted paddles to shift for yourself. The high-tech engine uses advanced fuel injection to deliver lots of power and good fuel economy. About the only downside is that it requires premium fuel, but with 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, at least you won’t use a lot of it.

2.4-liter inline-4
201 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
180 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/36 mpg