Mark KennedyFast facts
' Model: 2016 Acura ILX' Exterior color: Crystal Black' Interior color: Ebony' Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder' Horsepower: 201' Transmission: eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic' Fuel economy: 36 mpg highway, 25 mpg city' Dealer: Pye Acura' Price (as tested): $30,820
Test Drive: A second opinion
After riding in the Acura ILX as a passenger for a little while while shooting video for this report, Mark suggested that I take the driver's seat. It made him a little nervous when I instinctively extended both feet out to drive. (I usually drive a manual transmission and this car was an automatic). But after the initial fumble, we were cruising down the highway. I normally drive a Honda Civic, and the Acura felt like a fancier version of my car. Mark told me that's because they're built on the same platform. The seat was comfortable, the steering wheel felt nice to the touch, and the turn signal had a pleasing "click" when I pushed it. As far as luxury cars go, this is one that I could see myself driving. It felt luxurious without being ostentatious. But, is it really worth the $30,000 price tag? The newest Civic sedan costs about $10,000 less. For me, the Acura was nice, but not $10,000 nicer than a Civic.
The Acura ILX compact luxury sedan travels in fast company. Slotted in the same, under-$30,000 segment as the sexy Audi A3 and classy Mercedes CLA-250, the ILX must stand out in a well-heeled crowd.
With a platform that shares parts with the Honda Civic, the ILX resides in a more upscale neighborhood by virtue of a performance-oriented, 201-horsepower engine; a race-car inspired transmission and a refined interior.
When Acura introduced the ILX in 2013, it was an attempt to lure entry-level luxury car buyers to the nameplate that could be converted into CFL's, "customers for life." The sales results were solid, if not spectacular. With the addition this year of a silky, 2.4-liter, direct injection engine it shares with some versions of the larger Acura TLX sedan, the ILX now drives like it belongs in the big leagues.
Our tester this week is a Crystal Black 2016 ILX Premium provided by Pye Acura sales manager Gregg Black and demonstrated by sales associate Johnny Garth. With destination charges added, the ILX test car has a sticker price of $30,820. The sticker price range for ILX models is $27,900 to $34,890.
STYLING AND FEATURES
New "Jewell Eye" LED headlights flow out of the Acura's trademark chrome grill like diamonds flying in formation. Although LEDs are becoming ubiquitous across auto segments, they represent the most efficient way to update a car's looks, and they work especially well on the nose of the ILX.
The 2016 ILX also features a coup-like roofline; smart-looking, 17-inch alloys and hidden exhaust tips. Acura says it has rounded the exterior corners of the ILX this year for added aerodynamics and noise reduction.
Inside, the ILX looks upscale. Perforated leather seats are handsome and well-bolstered, and should prove breathable on hot Chattanooga days. Front seat heaters are standard for cold mornings. The dash features big, readable analog gauges. Too, the curvature of the dash compartmentalizes each occupant in typical Honda/Acura fashion. Two stacked display screens complete the dash's architecture. There's a "just-right" quality about the ILX that reflects years of Acura ergonomic refinements, from the tone of the turn signal to the shape of mirrors.
For audiophiles, there is an available 10-speaker premium sound system with a cute feature: Speak an artist's name and the system will dial up a custom play-list from your MP3 music collection. So if you notice an ILX driver cruising down I-75 and and mouthing the words, "Willie Nelson," you'll know what's up. Teched-out ILX models include an 8-inch display screen for an optional navigation system which features real-time traffic-flow levels, a nice touch if, for example, there's a traffic backup on Amnicola Highway.
All ILX's include as standard features, push-button ignition, multi-view rear camera display and keyless access. Our Premium trim tester adds the leather seats, blinds spot and cross-traffic monitors, and HD radio.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
For 2016, Acura has made significant updates to the ILX's power plant; adding both a more-powerful engine and a new dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. The 201-horsepower engine is a huge upgrade from the 150-hp base motor in previous ILXs, and the performance boost is enormous.
The transmission makes the shift-points nearly inaudible and helps increase gas mileage to 29 mpg in combined driving. Together, the new direct-injection engine and transmission give the ILX sportier driving dynamics and put it on par with the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA-class.
On a test drive around Chickamauga Lake, the ILX felt more planted and considerably more nimble than the car I drove three years ago. The transmission is silky smooth and power flows in a smooth arc through the RPM range. When you get to cruising speed, the engine is much quieter than before and doesn't rev as frantically as the former 2-liter engine.
BOTTOM LINE
It took the new powertrain tweaks to put the ILX in the same performance range as its competitors, but it's now a solid choice for entry-level luxury sedan buyers.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.