2017 Acura ILX Review: Yes, You Can Have Comfort in a Compact Luxury Car

Terri Marshall |

Updated: Mar 13, 2017

compact luxury car — Sparkling on the road trip in Catalina Blue Pearl. Photo by Terri Marshall

Because you should have the things that really matter.

For me, there are three things: color, music and safety features. So when I first laid eyes on the 2017 Acura ILX in Catalina Blue Pearl, I knew it was going to be the perfect ride for our little getaway to Maine and Pennsylvania. Sunny skies were in the forecast, and that blue was going to sparkle.

But more importantly, this entry level luxury compact comes with a multitude of safety features, the highest government crash test ratings and a 10-speaker premium audio system—which meant I would be singing along to my favorite tunes. The model we drove was outfitted with the Tech Plus package, which has most available features and, for an entry level luxury compact, an extremely competitive price.

Who this car is for

Couples or singles looking for a compact entry level luxury sedan
Older couples looking for a comfortable sedan with excellent safety features
Small families with 1 or 2 younger children
Buyers who want top safety features standard
Drivers who like a sedan with touch of sportiness
Women wanting touches of luxury at a reasonable price
Anyone looking for a car awarded the Government 5 Star Safety Rating

What it costs

Base Model with core features priced at $27,990
Premium package adds an enhanced driver experience at $2,000
Acura Watch Plus Package offering safety and driver assistance adds $1,300
Technology Plus Package (the model we drove) adds the Acura Watch Plus package, Premium Package, 10 speaker premium audio system, voice commands, navigation system and guidelines for rear view cameras at a price of $32,990 ($33,930 including Destination and Handling charges)

On a long or short drive you want to be comfortable, right?

Leather seats are a great place to start, but the 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat ensures you’ll find a comfy position for your drive when you set out in the Acura ILX. The design of the perforated leather-trimmed sports seats provide comfortable support without being too rigid—you can ride for hours.

A nice level of standard features in the ILX fill out the luxury list, including a sunroof, automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, a fold-down rear seat back, dual-zone automatic climate control, a multi-view backup camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a USB/iPod audio interface and Pandora radio and Siri Eyes Free smartphone app integration. So basically, you’ll be comfortable and entertained.

When you’re taking others along, they’ll need some space too

Even though the Acura ILX is considered to be in the compact segment, the cabin feels spacious and even has considerable leg room in the back seat. If you’re 6 feet or taller, though, the head room in the back might feel a little low. At 5’2” I never have to consider this so I put my husband in the back seat to check that out. But, even though he’s a bigger guy, he said he could ride for a while without complaining. And that’s a very good thing because NO ONE wants to spend a road trip listening to her man complain.

We carried a couple of carry-on type bags along for the weekend and had more than ample trunk space at 12.3 cubic feet. The seats also fold down if you need to carry anything larger. But, it’s not a 60/40 split so if the seat is going down, you probably don’t want anyone sitting in that back seat.

The center console was adequate for smaller items, but there’s no place for a big handbag. Since I had a passenger along, mine went on the floor behind the driver’s seat.

If you want top safety features…this baby is all about it

The Acura ILX Tech-Plus comes with all the safety bells and whistles: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic braking for frontal collision mitigation, lane departure warning system, lane departure warning and road departure mitigation. And my favorite, blind spot detection.

Controls are easily accessible with cruise control and audio features on the steering wheel and buttons to turn on or off the safety tech features just to the left.

The 8-inch navigation screen is large and vivid enough to keep you from distractions while driving. The screen is split with navigation at the top and audio at the bottom. The knob in the center took a little getting used to when setting up navigation but ultimately worked fine for me. If you’re someone that needs to look at the audio screen often, it could be a distraction. Connecting to my iPhone through the Bluetooth was a breeze and I was able to keep my iPhone fully charged with the USB port in the center console. However, there’s only one so you’ll have to take turns if you have someone riding along with you.

If staying connected is at the top of your list, the AcuraLink system will make you smile

Thanks to an embedded cellular device, the AcuraLink system features two-way communication. In an emergency, location and diagnostic information can be sent and retrieved directly from the car. Greater interaction with your smartphone enables even more available services. Many of the AcuraLink features are complimentary but others require a subscription, so be sure to check when considering a purchase.

The AcuraLink services include the following:

Emergency notification if an airbag deploys
Vehicle doors can be locked and unlocked remotely via your smartphone
Tracking if the ILX is stolen
AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic showing traffic levels on side streets as well as highways and assistance with re-routing
With a subscription service a concierge can help you make restaurant reservations and then send directions to the navigation system

What we loved

LOVED LOVED LOVED the Catalina Blue Pearl exterior
Sunroof to let the sun shine in
Premium audio system
Reasonably good gas mileage on the highway
Excellent safety features
Spacious feel for a cabin in a compact sedan
Sense of sportiness

What you need to know

Gas mileage averages 29MPG (25 City/ 35 Highway)
Uses regular fuel
Luxury touches aren’t quite as posh as in rivals like the Audi 3 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Acceleration is a bit slower than expected but sufficient to get you on the highway without issues
Competitively priced with a long list of standard features

Did I mention the sound system?

On any good road trip a solid playlist of singable songs is a must. Our Spotify playlist made the miles between New York City, Maine and Pennsylvania fly by.

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