cars dot com auto review
Hi I'm Joe Weisenfelder with cars.com this is the 2013 Acura
ILX it's an all new sedan comes in three versions on one
hand you've got a higher ed on the other end you've got the 2.4 which has a 200
horsepower
2.4 liter four-cylinder and in the middle you got this one
the ilex 2.0 it as a 2-liter four-cylinder
and a 150 horsepower that's one of the main things
that distinguishes it from the Honda Civic on which it's based
to in several years since Acura based
a car on a Honda Civic that was the RSX a sportier number
they insist that this is a different approach
and then it's more than just a dialed up civic it's about an inch and a half
wider it's a little bit lower the torsional rigidity the the actual
strengthen the structure is higher
and their number of other mechanical changes as well the two liter
four-cylinder
paired with a a five-speed automatic transmission is a nice combo for this
car
it's quick enough not super quick the five-speed automatic is pretty well
behaved the kicks down pretty quickly when you go to pass I feel a little
quicker than the Civic
for that matter different shock absorbers in the Civic they're called
amplitude reactive pampers
which are intended to be soft term for the ride quality
but without giving up some other protection against really big bumps and
shocks
I they do a good job but definitely rides well you know I can confuse the
car for civic
I'll be still feel the service the road you know what kinda road you're going
over
terms of handling the cars okay and as this imbalance but it's not something
that begs you to drive really fast
then there's the steering actor says the steering has been changed it has a
larger diameter steering shaft and a faster ratio
up unfortunately I don't think steering feel is that good it's a little bit numb
I I seen better even with electric power steering which is what this one has
actor took many steps to control noise in this car
compared with the civic of course a thicker when does
mora insulation all around and also there's an active noise cancellation
feature
on miles with 17-inch wheels they've done a pretty good job it's a quiet car
but it's not an exceptionally quiet car at highway speeds but it's not a serene
as the Buick Verano
a which is an apt comparison because it's another premium sedan
same size and it is based on a Chevrolet Cruze
so there's that comparison to the cruise compares with the Civic in terms of
quietness
I think I go through around was gonna confuse the interior of the ilex with
a Honda Civic %uh it's pretty nicely done is very familiar Acura
layout to it a mix of materials most im it's pretty comfortable
where you put your arms on top the doors soft armrests all soft given the task
force got a soft and low gloss which is good
I really like the a bezel here from the center control panels an interesting
look
not as crazy though about the plastic piece over stuff which so many
manufacturers are getting away from
also the plastic on the leading edge up the
armrests somehow looks particularly plasticky
having a technology packages car also has the top level seats which are
a perforated leather with of finals side bolsters
if you get the lower levels you get plop some vinyl
as well um I have to mention the the color in this is
is a nice way to break up the inside this car because generally speaking
actor goes with blacks and grays in a little bit a silver
so many competitors are experimenting with color nowadays I think they really
need to branch out
they can stay competitive luxury brands
market small cars like this they do a balancing act they wanted to be
affordable enough to be attractive to buyers but they don't wanna see the
cheapening the brand
a twenty six thousand dollars to start for the ilex
on up I mention the Buick Verano a buncha times
it starts thirty five hundred dollars cheaper and its top trim level
is equal to the 26,000 I love the ilex here where it starts and that one comes
with leather a lot of the other goodies
then there's another question do they need and I'll acts
when there's a the Acura TSX for thirty thousand dollars it's only a little bit
larger
then there's the even larger question what we've been asking for a while
which is is their demand for small premium sedans like this
that we'll have to see over time
for more car-related new Skoda cars dot com or block
kicking the tires dot net