The 2013 Acura ILX is positioned as the new entry to the Acura brand, and is priced under the TSX. I was able to spend a day driving all three ILX variants – the Hybrid, the 2.4-liter manual, and the 2.0-liter base – at the ILX launch event in New York state.
I started off with a run up the Saw Mill Parkway in an ILX Hybrid, which is EPA rated at 39 city / 38 highway miles per gallon (MPG) and had no problem easing through the mid forty MPG range within the first half an hour of driving.
Make no bones about it, the ILX rides on a modified Civic platform, with increase torsional rigidity, a more supple suspension, slick under car aerodynamics, and a quicker steering ratio. A great deal of attention was placed on decreasing noise and vibration within the cabin using sound absorbing materials and active noise control.
The sum of the parts? The ILX is more than just the tightest, quietest Civic you’ve ever driven. Acura has achieved their stated goal of efficient performance.
While the ILX forgoes the Civic’s intuitive space-age split-level dashboard for a more conventional design, it includes an efficiency display somewhat reminiscent, but far more benevolent than 2001’s HAL.
The 2.0-liter ILX is fitted with a five-speed automatic and rated at 150 horsepower (HP) and 140 foot pounds of torque, with fuel economy ratings of 24 city / 35 highway. The 2.4-liter manual, is rated at 201 HP and 170 foot pounds of torque, and 22 city / 31 highway (an automatic transmission is not offered with the 2.4L). The Hybrid’s 1.5-liter engine is mated to a CVT transmission and rated at a modest 91 HP, with the electric motor adding another 20 HP. Together, the Hybrid powertrain delivers 127 foot pounds of torque.
The 2.0-liter ILX is starts at just under $26,000 and tops out at $31,400 with the Technology Package. The ILX Hybrid starts at $28,900, running up to $34,400 with the Tech Package. The 2.4-liter with the Premium Package is priced at $29,200.
Stay tuned to MPGomatic for full scale reviews of the ILX …
– by Daniel Gray
