The Acura ILX is a blast from the not so recent past. They certainly don’t make cars like this anymore: compact, analog, naturally aspirated sedans with dual-clutch transmissions and handsome styling. While the ILX is certainly not the most well-packaged and spacious four-door, the interior is aging faster than a wine without a decanter, and the new (and cheaper, I might add) tenth-generation Honda Civic is miles more refined and attractive, the ILX still makes a compelling argument for itself in the 30.000 USD range.

Depending on who you ask, that’s not exactly a bad thing. Personally, I find the ILX refreshingly analog, and it offers an incredibly characterful driving experience that you won’t find in modern-day vehicles.

2020 Acura ILX A Spec 2

The sole engine choice is a free-revving 2.4-liter inline-four unit that carries a great deal of personality. It rewards fast driving and the ability to trigger its 6,800 rpm redline. Sure, the 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox is a slow-shifting clutz, and most of the power lives on the right half of the tachometer, but that means you actually have to work for your acceleration, a refreshing change from the laziness of a torque-filled turbocharged engine. It reminds me of Honda engines of yore, sweet-sounding reactors that only got better the higher you revved it. The same goes for the ILX, and though it may not be the most efficient example on the modern market, we’ve been pining to get behind an S2000 for quite some time. The ILX gives us a bit of that sensation.

2020 Acura ILX A Spec 3

The ILX gives off a modestly premium vibe from the choice of materials but the interior packaging is poor and minuscule compared to the roomier tenth-generation Honda Civic. I stand six feet tall and in my standard driving position, my hips are squeezed and my head is nudged up against the headliner due to the sunroof’s elevated ridges that exacerbate the confinement. I have to carefully adjust the seats and recline more than I’m used to getting into a mildly comfortable position. The seats are mounted too high up on the platform as well without any downward adjustment available. The rear seats are even more cramped.

2020 Acura ILX A Spec 4

Argumentatively, if you take the engine out of the equation, the ILX doesn’t exactly give us a compelling reason why we should choose it over like-minded 30.000 USD vehicles like the Honda Civic Si, Volkswagen Golf GTI, or a Subaru WRX. They all cost roughly the same amount of money, carry sporting potential, and are more refined, more comfortable, and better packaged than the ILX. Now, the Acura may not boast modern amenities that are almost expected in this day and age, the gearbox is plagued with inconsistencies, it’s not smooth, and it’s not polished, but you can’t deny that it’s got presence and personality. For that, we praise it.

2020 Acura ILX A Spec 5

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