Quick Drive: 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid

Reviews I By John Beltz Snyder I July 26, 2012
—Ann Arbor, Michigan
 
The Acura ILX Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and electric motor mated to a continuously variable transmission. The powertrain offers a total of 111 peak horsepower and 127 pound feet of torque. It’s definitely not a fast car, but as far as hybrids go, it feels very average. Understandably, it feels like it is tuned for good fuel economy, and it features an Econ button that further dulls throttle response making it easier to save fuel, provided the driver doesn’t compensate for the slow feeling with more throttle.
 
EPA fuel economy ratings for this ILX are 39 miles per gallon in the city, and 38 on the highway. These seem like very realistic numbers—that might even be pretty easy to beat—as evidenced by our week with the car. We averaged almost exactly 38 mpg most of that city driving, using a fairly heavy foot and not much concern for fuel economy. Had we paid a bit more attention, we certainly could have beaten the EPA estimates.
 
 
And the ILX does do a bit to coach the driver in efficient driving. As we drove a green circle was displayed in the instrument cluster, and the circle shrank to a small dot when we drove more vigorously. Coasting and gentle driving brought the circle back to its full size, to let us know when we were achieving good real-time fuel economy. It’s not as involving as other systems (for instance, the Prius C’s Eco Score screen), but it does help save fuel by giving constant feedback.
 
Quick Drive: 2013 Acura ILXThe car’s suspension did a good job of soaking up the bumps in the road. At the same time, it was not very communicative, and didn’t feel set up for sporting driving. Steering, though, felt particularly natural, and weighted up progressively through the corners. It was a bit numb, and felt doughy on-center, but reacted quickly and directly with a bit of lock dialed in.
 
The sweet spot of this Acura package is found in the goodly amount of comfort and refinement for a compact luxury car. Interior materials are nice, and it feels roomy for the car’s fairly small size. Seating is comfortable for extended drives, and visibility isn’t a problem. The ride is smooth and quiet, with very little in the way of NVH (though the CVT can make the engine buzzy under full load). The $5500 Technology Package (for a total starting MSRP of $34,400) adds convenience technology such as navigation with traffic and weather, upgraded surround sound audio, voice recognition software, and GPS-linked, solar-sensing dual climate control.
 
When we look at the competition, though—say, the Lexus CT200h—the ILX just doesn’t have much to impress buyers who aren’t Acura brand loyalists. Other cars offer more personality, more entertaining driving dynamics, better fuel economy, or some combination thereof for similar prices.
 
The ILX Hybrid serves as an economical entry point into the brand. To be quite frank, there are better hybrids out there, and there are better Acuras, as well. If you simply must have both, though, your options are limited to the ILX. Plus it’s far less painful to drive than its cousin, the dreadful Honda Civic Hybrid.
 
2013 Acura ILX Hybrid
Engine: Inline-4/electric motor, 1.5 liters, 8v
Output: 111 hp/127 lb-ft
Weight: 2959 lb
Cargo Volume: 10.0 cu ft
Fuel Economy, City/Hwy: 39/38 mpg
Base Price: $28,900

The Guide to Road Racing: Winding Road Magazine's ultimate guide to getting your start in racing.

Table of Contents

Related Articles

Book Review: NASCAR 75 Years

NASCAR 75 Years offers an insightful look into the history of NASCAR, from its humble beginnings as a small family business to its current position as a leader in sports entertainment.

March 14, 2023
WRR’s 5 Best Auto Racing Shoes Under $250

Here are our picks for the best auto racing shoes under $250, with a wildcard winner!

March 14, 2023
Ferrari Purosangue: SUV or Not, We Love It

We’d hesitate to describe it as an ‘SUV’: It’s a Ferrari… just with four doors. But we’re obsessed!

March 09, 2023
WRR’s 5 Best Auto Racing Suits Under $1,000

Racing can be very expensive, so it got us thinking; what are the best auto racing suits under $1,000?  There are plenty of high-end professional…

March 03, 2023
I’d Like to Talk to You About Our Lord and Savior, the Nissan Pike Car

The price may be small, but your smile certainly won’t be – even if it is slow as hell.

January 06, 2023

EMAIL SIGN UP

Get the latest driving and racing news straight to your inbox.

no thanks

Begin typing your search above and press return to search.