The 2022 ILX is one of the best deals among subcompact luxury sedans. Acura think that value is optimized with the optional Premium package, which adds leather upholstery, upgraded infotainment features, and more driver assists. The A-Spec package may give the illusion of enhanced performance, but the kit only supplies superficial improvements that aren’t worth the dough. The 2022 Acura ILX looks like a luxury sedan bargain, as it wears a premium exterior styling treatment and an attractive starting price. Look closer though and you’ll notice that the smallest Acura sedan is merely a reskinned previous-generation Honda Civic with a less desirable standard features list. Its infotainment is woefully out of date, and it lacks the sporty driving dynamics we expect in this class. Its 2.4-liter four-cylinder is at least fuel efficient, and its ride is smooth and agreeable.
A sculpted hood and Diamond Pentagon grille highlight the dynamic front end, while the fierce styling of the trunk and LED-illuminated taillights ensure the ILX exudes edge-to-edge power and prestige. NSX-inspired Ultrasuede®-trimmed seats hug you through the corners. The black chrome Diamond Pentagon grille and gloss black rear decklid spoiler take bold styling to the next level. Illuminate your view with Jewel Eye® LED Headlights. With 4 LED outer lamps dedicated to normal lighting and 3 inner lamps for high-beam, the 7 LED projectors light up the way. The Acura premium paint process uses successively tinted clear coats for a noticeable sleek finish. The ILX is available in several vibrant upgrade colors. For an additional $500, your ILX can be even more head-turning. Choose from six dynamic wheel designs that express the race inspired spirit of the ILX.
The Acura ILX’s cabin is roomy for the driver and the front-seat passenger but cramped for those in the rear. Standard equipment is plentiful and includes a sunroof, heated sport seats with power adjustments for the driver, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, the dashboard design looks outdated compared with the slick-looking screens that adorn the dash of the A-class. While its interior cubby storage is nowhere near as useful as inside the Civic, the ILX has a large trunk that belies the sedan’s subcompact classification. touchscreen infotainment system isn’t standard on the base model, but all other trims come with an 8.0-inch unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. While Acura’s dual-screen setup can be operated via physical knobs and buttons, the system’s outdated graphics and lack of intuitive menus make it obsolete compared with more contemporary rivals.
The 2022 ILX houses a high-revving 201-HP82 DOHC i-VTEC® engine with 180 lb-ft of torque111 and amplitude reactive dampers, creating an intensely agile and responsive drive-feel. The 2022 ILX houses a high-revving 201-HP82 DOHC i-VTEC® engine with 180 lb-ft of torque111 and amplitude reactive dampers, creating an intensely agile and responsive drive-feel. The ILX earns fuel-economy ratings of 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway—competitive with front-wheel-drive versions of the A3 and A-class. Over 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, the ILX delivered exactly what its window sticker said it would: 34 mpg. The sole powertrain is a 201-hp four-cylinder with front-wheel drive mated to a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine revs easily and although the ILX isn’t the quickest car in its class, its character makes us pine for the VTEC-powered Honda and Acura sedans from years gone by.
