2020 Acura ILX

Acura provides the ILX in five varying trims. The barebone base trim starts at $25,900 and goes all the way up to Technology and A-SPEC Package trim at $31,650. All trims are powered by a 2.4L inline four-pot which chunks out 201 horses and 180-pound feet of torque. The power gets transferred to the front wheels via an 8 Speed automated manual transmission.

The base trim gets all the basic necessities, but it's the higher trims that actually do the talking. Various premium features like leather upholstery and GPS enabled navigation system gets added, which adds to the creature comforts.

Trims	Base	Premium Package	Technology Package	Premium and A-SPEC Package	Technology and A-SPEC Package
MSRP	$25,900	$27,750	$29,650	$29,750	$31,650
Engine	2.4L I4	2.4L I4	2.4L I4	2.4L I4	2.4L I4
Features	Power Moonroof with remote operation	All the features in Base trim included and:	All the Features in Premium Package included and:	All the features in Premium Package included and:	All the Features in Technology Package included and:
	LED Headlights	Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror	GPS Linked Climate Control	Unique Interior upholstery colors	Acura Connected Services
	17-inch alloy wheels	Front Passenger 4-Way Power Seat	Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines	A-SPEC Sport seats with ultra suede-trimmed interior	Graphite and chrome dash trim
	Heated Side Mirrors	2 Driver Position Memory for Seats and Side Mirrors	Acura Navigation with 3D view	18-inch alloy wheels	Stainless Steel Sport Pedals
	Acoustic Glass Windshield	Acura Premium Audio System	ELS Studio Premium Audio System	LED Fog lamps
	Leatherette wrapped sport seats	Sport seats with perforated leather upholstery
	Heated Front Seats
	Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
	Adaptive Cruise Control

Which 2020 ILX trim should you go for?

We recommend you to confidently go for the Technology package trim which treats you with a host of features. It includes creature comfort features as well as much needed safety and assistance features at a reasonable price of $29,650.

Honda's engineers installed the ILX with a 2.4L Inline-4 engine mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The powertrain can amass 201 horsepower and 180-pound-feet of torque. The power delivery is linear and refined to the front wheels of the car. 

The entire car is constructed to be more aggressive right from the engine's growl to the firm’s tuned suspension. The transmission is smooth and keen to grab the next gear. Its movement is buttery and better than the usual automatic transmission used by the competitors.

Models	Acura ILX Base	Kia Optima S	Mazda 3 Preferred	Ford Fusion SE
MSRP	$25,900	$24,690	$24,200	$24,500
Engine	2.4L I4	2.4L I4	2.5L I4	1.5L Turbo I4
Transmission	8-Speed Automated Manual	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	201 hp @6800 rpm	185 hp @6000 rpm	186 hp @6000 rpm	181 hp @6000 rpm
Torque	180 lb-ft @3600 rpm	178 lb-ft @4000 rpm	186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	185 lb-ft @4320 rpm

2020 ILX manages to surpass the competition in sheer performance as it is a fair 20 horses more than the competition. Mazda 3 which is powered by a larger engine also fails to overcome the flexible performance provided by Acura.

How quick is the 2020 ILX off the line?

The slightly aggressive sound of the engine might pump you up for a blast, but the lack of a turbocharger results in a mild start. You won't feel your front wheels firing up with torque. The engine’s athletic prime emerges after 4000 rpm. One thing which will have a lasting impression is the smooth transmission and instant response.

The lower curb weight coupled with the quick gearbox plays a crucial role in giving the ILX an edge over the others. It would have done the ILX much more justice if fitted with a turbocharger.

Models	Acura ILX Base	Kia Optima S	Mazda 3 Preferred	Ford Fusion SE
0-60 MPH	6.4 s	6.9 s	7.5	9.1 s
Quarter mile	14.9 s	15.3 s	15.5	18.9
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)	6.3	7.3*	5.8	6.5

Ford Fusion comes in as a sluggish one and this can be blamed on the unwanted extra weight it carries. Kia Optima is the closest rival to Acura which closes the gap of 0-60 to minimum. Mazda 3 has not undergone any road test yet and so we are devoid of its test results. But Mazda’s impressive performance would surely bring it closer to the Acura than Kia. 

How poise is the handling?

Right from the stiff suspension to the sporty seat placement, Acura has planted hints of sportiness all over the ILX's driving mechanism. Starting with the wheel, it feels heavier than its predecessors but its still light for a first-time driver. Road communication is not that loud but the direct response makes up for the lost feel. Take it for a spin and you will notice the high traction, the ILX feels glued to the road even small bumps. Though it feels sporty there are not many sporty cosmetics in the suspension, it feels stiffer than the usual Acura. Still, that car suffers from a notable body roll.

The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is probably the best part of this entry-level Luxury. The transmission is seamlessly synced with the engine, the downshifts are smooth and upshifts balanced for the economy. You will not get an instant dose of power in the Normal mode but the Sports mode manages to stay in the powerband.

How grippy is the 2020 ILX's brakes?

The brakes are quite sharp with a responsive pedal. You don't need to wire your brain in a different way, the pedal is quite limber when it comes to control. During hard braking, the car doesn't wobble. The front brakes on the ILX are rated are 12.3 inches and 11.1 inches respectively.

There is no nose dive at all during hard braking and this can be credited to its low ground clearance which helps lower the center of gravity and thus provides a more composed ride.

Models	Acura ILX Base	Kia Optima S	Mazda 3 Preferred	Ford Fusion SE
Brake Front (in.)	12.3	12.0	11.0	11.8
Brake Rear (in.)	11.1	11.2	10.4	11.9
60-0 MPH (ft)	119*est.)	124*	121(est.)	122*

*2019 Data used for comparison purposes

Acura comes with the largest front rotors of the lot but is the opposite at the rear with the smallest of the lot. Mazda 3 is the lightest of the lot but still stops shy of the ILX because of its smaller rotors.

Being an entry-level luxury Acura delivers decent fuel ergonomic numbers. You won't need to gas up the ILX after every few kilometers. In the city, Acura musters 24 mpg mileage while on the highway it stretches the number to 34 mpg. Together the combined fuel economy is rated at 28 mpg.

It has a small fuel tank which makes frequent fuel fill-ups during long drives a chore. Acura could have added in a few more gallons to the tank which would have made it a decent tourer as well.

Models	Acura ILX Base	Kia Optima S	Mazda 3 Preferred	Ford Fusion SE
MPG (city)	24	24	26	23
MPG (highway)	34	32	35	34
MPG (combined)	28	27	30	27
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.)	13.2	18.5	13.2	16.5
Range (City/Highway)	317/449	444/592	343/462	380/561

Kia Optima is blessed with the largest fuel tank of the lot with an 18.5 Gallon tank. Mazda 3 provides an impressive combined 30 miles to a gallon. This puts it on top followed by the Acura ILX.

The seats sit high above the ground with a lot of thigh support and foot support. though the armrest sits relatively lower. The interior is straight out of last year's civic minus the quality. It feels plasticky, cheap, and doesn't feel qualified to compete with other luxury sedans in the competition. Though the back legroom is a little low and might be unfit for longer routes. Visibility is good, the only germ infecting the ILX's visibility is the fat pillar, rear everything is easy.

The interior seems below average and there are frequent creaks over the hard plastic material. You can fit 5 adults in the cabin with ease. The front seats are spacious with 38 inches headroom and 42 inches of legroom space. The rear cabin is deprived of legroom which is measured at 34 inches. The headroom is fair though, 35 inches. On the luxury angle, you have 6 way heated and ventilated front seats and 3 way heated outboard seats.

Models	Acura ILX Base	Kia Optima S	Mazda 3 Preferred	Ford Fusion SE
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.0/55.6/42.3	39.8/58.1/45.5	38.0/55.7/42.3	39.2/57.8/44.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	35.9/53.6/34.0	37.8/56.4/35.6	37.3/53.5/35.1	37.8/56.9/38.3

Interior space is not the ILX’s strong point as it struggles to house people comfortably. Kia Optima easily takes the lead here with its impressive cabin space. Mazda 3 and Acura ILX have similar distribution of rows with the Mazda having a bit more second-row space.

What are the infotainment offerings?

The ILX features 8-inch dual-screen infotainment parted into the dash one over the other. Though it's not a touch screen you need to control every feature through a rotary knob which is not that precise.

Working on two screens makes it even worse. Though you still have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the ILX.

 Infotainment Features

• ELS Studio Premium Audio System
• 10-Speakers
• SiriusXM COmpatibility
• Bluetooth and USB Audio Interface
• Pandora Compatible
• Auxiliary Input Jack
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatible

How much cargo can the 2020 Acura take?

In practicality, the ILX is not that generous. The 12.4 cubic feet of cargo is what you will get, which is the average in the segment. Practicality goes downhill inside the cabin due to the lack of cubby holes.

It doesn't even provide added storage compartments like its twin, Honda Civic. The ILX would have made a much better practical car if not for these pesky issues.

Models	Acura ILX Base	Kia Optima S	Mazda 3 Preferred	Ford Fusion SE
Cargo Volume (cu.-ft)	12.4	15.9	13.2	16.0

Ford Fusion takes advantage of its larger dimensions which makes way for the largest cargo compartment of the lot with 16 cubic feet of volume. The Optima comes in second followed by Mazda 3 by a considerable margin.

Interior Features

• Sport Seats with Leatherette upholstery
• 8-Way Power Driver Seat with Power Lumbar Support
• Heated Front Seats
• Rear center armrest with cupholders
• Foldable Rear Seats
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Start/Stop Button
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Steering Wheel-mounted Controls

Acura ILX is completely carried over from last year with all the subtle changes done then. The most visible change comes to the front grill, they binned their previous sliver grill and swapped in a new diamond pentagon grille. It's not the most striking one but Acura is taking a detour here with an exclusive design.

Other changes are equated to the taillight and front and rear bumpers. You get a rear lip spoiler and a single chrome-tipped exhaust. Enough to add a little character but not as appealing as other entry-level luxury sedans. It is one of the narrowest cars in this segment which gives it a more compact look and is much easier to maneuver as well.

Models	Acura ILX Base	Kia Optima S	Mazda 3 Preferred	Ford Fusion SE
Length (in)	182.2	191.1	183.5	191.8
Width (in)	70.6	73.2	70.7	72.9
Height (in)	55.6	57.7	56.9	58.2
Ground clearance (in)	5.3	5.3	5.5	7.8*
Wheelbase (in)	105.1	110.4	107.3	112.2
Track width (in) F/R	59.4/60.2	62.9/63.2	61.7/62.2	62.7/62.4
Curb weight (lbs)	3095	3298	3071	3470

For a long time, ILX was out shadowed by its older brother the TLX. It is bigger and more luxurious though the ILX is all set to make a statement with all its updates, however, much of this will not come from its dimensions. Acura builds a decent executive but it's not that sizeable than other cars in the lot. It is 182 inches long which is 10 inches shorter than the usual executive but holds up with Mazda’s offering.

Exterior Features

• Power Moonroof
• Remote Operate Windows
• LED Headlights with Auto On/Off Function
• LED Fog Lamps
• Heated Side Mirrors
• Decklid Spoiler
• Acoustic Glass Windshield
• Chrome Exhaust Tips 
• Rear Diffuser

When it comes to safety and reliability Honda is very conscious about their cars, the same blood runs through Acura's veins too. Acura's signature AcuraWatch suite consists of several safety suits like emergency braking, road departure mitigation, even adaptive cruise and more. 

Safety Features

• Advanced Front and Side Airbags
• Side Curtain Airbags
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
• Rear Cross Traffic Monitor
• Lane Keeping Assist System(LKAS)
• Multi-View Rear Camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Road Departure Mitigation(RDM) System 
• Collision Mitigation Braking System(CMBS)

Acura ILX vs Kia Optima

Kia Optima is a sedan that makes you feel comfortable right away. It is cheaper than the ILX and has a much larger cabin than the narrow ILX which makes it a very roomy car. The engine specs don’t come at par with the Acura but we aren't complaining here as this set of sedans is not made for outright performance. Moreover, it makes up for the loss in power with the involving driving dynamics.

Acura ILX vs Mazda 3

The 3 is Mazda’s offering in the sedan segment with a much cleaner and modern design philosophy. Mazda has loaded the 3 with a list of features that the 2020 ILX fails to cope up with. For a cheaper price, we will vouch for the Mazda 3 for the value for money it provides with extremely comfortable seats and premium usage of materials. 

Acura ILX vs Ford Fusion

Ford Fusion has been one of the oldest players in the market and the 2020 Fusion makes it’s aging just fine. It provides us with an impeccable combination of comfort, features and driving dynamics which theILX has been chasing for a long time. The simple yet elegant interior makes it easy to understand various functionalities. The optional all-wheel-drive setup adds to the character of its sharp and nimble character. Ford Fusion still remains the one to be dethroned.

 

2020 Acura ILX is a very good and complete offering in the sedan segment. It has ample of features with a calm and composed character. But the 2020 Ford Fusion with its experience manages to provide us with an even better car which is hard to go unnoticed. From a lower price point, it provides us with a much larger and comfortable cabin with a cleaner and better-built interior. The Ford Fusion makes for a much better car than the Acura ILX which would justify the money, you pay for it.