Acura returns from a spate of years devoted to the higher-end luxury market, and they do so in style with a car that practically invents its own segment. The ILX Hybrid is the half electric portion of the brand new ILX series – a tasteful four-door to be reckoned with, that boasts just the right touch of pampering combined with tech components. Despite its pricey feel and genteel appearance, the price tag doesn’t require a millionaire’s bank account.
Key Features
The ILX Hybrid is rife with standards like a sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity, leather-wrapped steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, a backup camera, and USB/iPod interface with Pandora integration. The optional Technology suite will net you a better sound system and hard-drive based navigation.
Changes for 2013
This is the maiden model year for the Acura ILX Hybrid.
What We Like
This sassy little sedan fares well in crash and safety tests, the interior is attractive and well-arranged, and the tech features even in just the base model make this car a fun choice. The exterior doesn’t push the boundaries of too progressively styled, maintaining a classy look that’s just sporty enough. And of course the gas mileage is very respectable for a hybrid car.
What Concerns Us
Due to the battery pack, the trunk space is limited at just 10 cubic feet. You won’t find leather seats on the options list, which means if you’re going for an authentic luxury feel to an affordable sedan you might want to look at a bit more upscale model like the 1 Series by BMW. As might be expected, the hybrid engine isn’t quite as peppy as the premium 2.4L option, so it’ll take you about 10 seconds to go from 0-60.
Available Models
The ILX Hybrid comes with a 1.5L inline 4-cylinder with 127 lb.-ft. torque, 111 HP, and 39/38 mpg.
Major Recalls
There have been two recalls issued for this model – August of 2012, and July of 2014. The first was due to a problem with the door lock cable – activating the door locks while the handle is in use could cause the cable to come loose or shift positions, increasing the risk of the door coming open during travel or a crash. The second recall was due to overheating in the headlamp area, presenting a risk of melting, smoking, or fire. Honda notified owners on both issues and offered to fix the problems for free.
Common Issues
Aside from a smattering of random incidents like a battery needing replacement at low mileage and a flat tire occurring just moments after the tire pressure warning light came on, there aren’t many repetitive complaints on this model.
