Crossovers sales are booming, but the entry-level luxury sedan segment has seen plenty of new competitors in the past few years including the 2019 Mercedes A-Class Sedan.
Acura has been competing in the segment for decades and recently introduced an updated ILX. Looking far more aggressive than its predecessor, the model adopts a bold “precision crafted” design which echoes the rest of Acura’s lineup.
The exterior styling changes are pretty extensive as the model is all-new from the A-pillars forward. As part of the transformation, the ILX has been equipped with has a new “diamond pentagon” grille which is flanked by restyled Jewel Eye LED headlights. Designers also installed a new hood, sportier air intakes and restyled wheels.
The styling changes continue out back as the model has a new trunk and rear bumper. The license plate has also been moved and this results in a sportier and more cohesive appearance.
Rounding out the styling are new LED taillights and a sporty diffuser. The ILX also has a new exhaust tip with a chrome finisher.
The car seen here is the updated ILX A-Spec which receives the aforementioned styling changes as well as dark chrome accents and LED fog lights. The model also has a gloss-black rear spoiler and new 18-inch alloy wheels with a shark gray finish.
While designers spent most of their time working on the exterior, they didn’t completely forget about the cabin. Changes include new sport seats, silver trim and a machine-finished ignition button. The A-Spec variant goes even further as it has aluminum pedals, two-tone sport seats and contrast stitching on the steering wheel, shifter and hand brake.
While the interior updates are nice, they can’t hide the fact that the ILX was originally introduced at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. As a result, the cabin feels dated and some of the materials and switchgear aren’t up to luxury car standards.
The dual screen layout is also a holdover from a previous update and the setup isn’t as elegant as more modern cars which now offer up to three displays. That being said, Acura has updated the optional dual display and the main infotainment system now features more intuitive menus and a more responsive touchscreen. The system is also about 30 percent faster than its predecessor and now offers performance which is comparable to modern smartphones.
While these are much needed improvements, we still prefer the infotainment system used on newer Acura and Honda models such as the Accord and RDX. However, the second display does provide drivers with the benefit of a navigation screen which is always available.
The interior might be a mixed bag, but I didn’t have any qualms with the driving experience. The ILX features a familiar 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine which produces 201 hp (150 kW / 203 PS) and 180 lb-ft (243 Nm) of torque. It is connected to an excellent eight-speed dual-clutch transmission which sends power to the front wheels.
While the performance specs aren’t ground breaking, the ILX offers significantly more horsepower than the Audi A3, BMW 320i and Mercedes A220. However, all three competitors have more torque.
One of the key benefits about the ILX’s powertrain is that its engine is naturally aspirated and doesn’t suffer any turbo lag as a result. The power isn’t overwhelming, but it’s instantly available with a push of the accelerator. The performance won’t blow you away, but it’s nicely matched to the car and is competitive for the segment.
Speaking of performance, the ILX has an electric power steering system which is light and responsive. It’s not very communicative, but it’s slightly sporty nonetheless.
On the surprisingly smooth roads of Ohio farm country, the ILX was comfortable and quiet. This bodes well for drivers looking for an affordable entry-level luxury sedan which has a hint of sport, but is more geared towards comfort.
The 2019 Acura ILX is currently available at dealerships and pricing starts at $25,900, excluding a $995 destination and handling fee. This is a reduction of $2,200 and it means the ILX significantly undercuts the competition.
The pricing is particularly impressive considering the car’s long list of standard equipment which includes the AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance systems. It features adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and a collision mitigation braking system. The AcuraWatch suite also adds lane keeping assist and a road departure mitigation system with a lane departure warning function.
Other standard features include a power moonroof, heated front seats and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. Drivers will also find a 10-way power driver’s seat, a six-speaker audio system and a passive entry system with a push-button ignition.
Acura understands the importance of the ILX, even though sales have been declining for the past three years. As the company noted, the ILX attracts the most first time buyers to the Acura brand and the model has the highest percentage of millennial buyers in its segment. This effectively makes the ILX a stepping stone to Acura’s lineup and the company freely admits the car attracts a “critical customer base” to the brand.
The updates to the 2019 ILX make the model significantly more appealing than its predecessor as car is now more affordable and better looking. That’s usually a winning combination, but there’s no hiding the ILX’s age especially compared to newer competitors such as the redesigned BMW 3-Series and all-new Mercedes A-Class.
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