’16 ILX A WINNER
Minor changes help make entry-level Acura feel more like a sports sedan
While some would argue that the changes to the latest Acura ILX are subtle in nature, the reality is they help deliver a more credible near-luxury sedan. Yes, it’s based on the Honda Civic, but this is not such a bad thing, as there is enough separation between the models to make a meaningful difference, especially when the ILX is in A-Spec guise. Among other things, it’s the body kit, headlight treatment and rear spoiler that serve to set it apart and give it some real road presence.
The cabin is very nicely attired, although some of the materials are modest in nature given the A-Spec’s station in the lineup. That stated, it’s chock full of gizmos and gadgets. The list includes everything from an advanced audio system with 10 well-placed speakers to a navigation system with voice recognition.
One of the interesting items proved to be the lane-keep assist system. Set the cruise, which maintains speed and a set distance behind the car ahead, and the ILX searches for the line markings. When it finds them, it actively steers the car to keep it in the lane.
What you have here is a semiautonomous car: it accelerates, brakes and steers all by itself. For now, if the driver lets go of the steering wheel for a short period, the system gets annoyed and flashes a warning telling the driver to get a grip, but the autonomous age is well on its way.
As for the rest of it, the front seats are supportive, the correct driving position is readily established and the ILX has clean sightlines in all directions. The rear-view camera counters the higher deck lid the rear spoiler brings.
Finally, if you have a button fetish, this is your car. Aside from the buttons on the centre stack (and there are plenty), there are no fewer than 18 controls on the steering wheel, if you include the transmission’s paddle shifters. While it struck me as being cluttered, I’m sure many will appreciate the proximity of the functions.
The rear environment is surprisingly spacious for a compact car. There’s enough head- and legroom to accommodate a pair of taller riders. The centre rear seat is domed, but the lack of a central tunnel intrusion means it works for a third rider, should the need arise. Behind that sits a 348-litre trunk, but the opening is on the small side, and the one-piece seatback does not fold flush to the floor, which limits its usefulness.
One of the bigger changes is in the powertrain. The 2.4-L fourcylinder engine twists out 201 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and it does so in a silky fashion that never gets noisy, in spite of the fact the meat of the powerband is found at the upper end of the rev range. In other words, it is exactly what’s expected of a free-revving Honda engine.
The engine is now teamed with an eight-speed twin-clutch transmission. Now, make no mistake, I loved the gearbox and the fact it shifts smoothly and quickly. However, I would like a “Normal” mode. As it stands, Drive mode forces early shifts to the point where you are in sixth gear by the time you reach 60 km/h, which makes it more of an economy mode, as it promotes fuel efficiency. Sport mode functions as expected, but it tended to hold its gears too long in a city environment. A setting that balances the best of the two modes would be perfect; it could hold the gears a little longer, without forcing the engine too far up the rev range. It is a very small issue, but one I would love to see corrected.
Regardless, the powertrain combination proved to be rewardingly fast. The A-Spec ILX runs from rest to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and turns the 80-to-120 km/h passing move in 4.8 seconds. The latter speaks to the engine’s work ethic in the mid- and upper ranges. The plus was found in the fuel economy, delivering a test average of 8.7 L/100 km. That surprised me, given the level of performance and the driving gusto used during the test.
Another of the A-Spec’s upgrades is the fact it feels light and alive on its larger P225/40R18 tires. The front MacPherson struts, multiple rear links and adaptive dampers combine to keep things flat and unflustered, even as the A-Spec pushes toward the ragged edge. It really does hold the driver’s line very nicely. Ditto the steering; it is nicely weighted and turns off centre crisply without needing constant correction on the highway.
In the end, the attributes bring a decidedly sporty feel to the drive. On the flip side, the suspension delivers the ride comfort demanded of an entrylevel luxury car. It is a well-sorted setup that caters to divergent needs quite nicely.
The Acura ILX A-Spec is a polished sports sedan that has plenty of space for a family of four. It also looks the part; the LED headlights give it a menacing look that seems to underscore the fact it’s a driver’s car. At the end of the test, I walked away pleasantly surprised in spite of my admittedly minor quibbles. The sum of the improvements do indeed make for a much tidier drive.