2016 ACURA ILX 2.4L 8AT FWD (201 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Acura improved the ILX in 2014 for the 2016 model-year and brought more power, better handling, and three trim levels to the market. Yet, it didn’t make the fuss it intended.

Based on the same platform as the tenth Civic generation, the ILX benefited from all the new technologies that came with Honda’s compact sedan/hatchback. But since Acura was the premium sibling, it had to prove its price difference, so it came with a different powertrain than its mundane compact sibling.

Right from the start, it was easy to recognize the facelifted version thanks to the new LED headlights named Jewel Eye. The ILX also sported a new grille design and a more aggressive lower front bumper design, with an A-shaped but small, lower air intake flanked on the sides by impressively sized air-inlets that cooled the brakes. Moreover, on the sides, the carmaker added new side sills and, depending on the trim level, sets of 17″ or 18″ light-alloy wheels.

The 2012 ILX was well received by customers, but there were complaints about the sound insulation. Acura understood that a quieter cabin was preferred by its customers and added some weight due to the sound-deadening materials used. There were also upgrades on the materials and the infotainment system that sported a seven-inch touch-screen on the center stack.

But the most important addition was the introduction of the K24 engine under the ILX’s hood, and it was mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. That was something unavailable for the mundane Civic. Its all-wheel independent suspension with enhanced adaptive dampers offered the driver the possibility to soften or stiffen them.