Which Years Of Used Acura ILXs Are Most Reliable?
Acura ILX by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0
When it comes to luxury brands, Acura is generally a well-regarded brand that enjoys a good deal of popularity among consumers. As the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda, many people gravitated towards Acura due to the reliability and longevity of its vehicles.
One can say that it’s due to its relationship with Honda who’s known for producing durable cars.
Though Acura may not hold the same level of popularity as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Lexus within the U.S. market, it is nonetheless recognized as an excellent gateway into luxury vehicles.
For prospective buyers considering getting into the used luxury car market, the Acura ILX presents a compelling proposition. As an entry-level luxury compact car, it harmoniously blends performance, comfort, and value. However, it’s worth noting that the Acura ILX’s journey has reached its twilight, with the final model rolling off the production line in 2022.
THE ACURA ILX YEARS TO AVOID
For today, we rounded up the Acura ILX years to avoid, so you can buy a used unit that will provide you with an outstanding ownership experience down the line.
You have a few good options if you want to purchase a pre-owned Acura ILX. Like all cars, some ILX years are more reliable than others. So for today, we go through all generations of the ILX and determine the most reliable Acura ILX year and which ones you should skip. Let’s take a look.
2013-2015 Acura ILX
Although the Acura ILX had a relatively successful launch, it didn’t exactly light up the sales charts. The ILX has had some challenges that might have affected its popularity in the competitive luxury compact car segment. For instance, it competes in a segment that includes offerings from established automakers like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, which have strong brand recognition.
With that said, the ILX shares plenty of its underpinnings with the Honda Civic but with a different suspension tuning and fancier interior and features.
Avoid: 2013 Acura ILX
The 2013 Acura ILX was mildly well-received by customers and critics alike. However, it did have a hard time justifying its existence. Although marketed as an entry-level model, drivers had some expectations about performance. Some drivers felt the ILX’s performance wasn’t as sporty or powerful as its segment competitors. It’s powered by a 150 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine which was weaker than most of its rivals.
Reliability-wise, being a debut model certainly didn’t do the 2013 ILX any favors. CarComplaints collected 69 complaints and six recalls for the 2013 ILX. On the other hand, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 50 complaints about this ILX model.
The issue that received the most complaints is the defective Takata airbags. This defect led to the largest automotive recall in history, with tens of millions of cars affected worldwide. Tragically, several deaths and many injuries have been linked to the defect.
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Avoid: 2014 Acura ILX
The 2014 Acura ILX had fewer complaints and recalls compared to its predecessor. However, with a price range between $16,950 - $20,590, we’re having a tough time recommending this model year due to its various drawbacks.
For instance, the 2014 ILX was severely lacking in interior quality. Many drivers commented that the materials and finishes seem more typical of mainstream brands. You’ll have to pay more to get fancier features like leather upholstery. Moreover, the base model of the 2014 ILX was outfitted with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine boasting 150 hp. While this might suffice for daily driving, it falls short of expectations for buyers who want a more spirited, sporty performance.
2016-2022 Acura ILX
The initial years of the ILX struggled to shed its image as a more affordable option rather than a luxury vehicle. However, beginning with the 2016 model, Acura implemented extensive changes that significantly enhanced the appeal of this entry-level small luxury car.
Buy: 2016 Acura ILX
The 2016 model year marked a significant update for the ILX, which saw several changes in design and features. However, arguably the best update was axing the previous model’s 2.0-liter engine with a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit that generates 201 horsepower. As expected, this resulted in better performance and responsiveness, which was severely lacking from the previous models.
Furthermore, this is the most reliable Acura ILX year due to fewer complaints and known significant issues. The 2016 Acura ILX received only 36 complaints and four recalls, per NHTSA. Perhaps its most notable issue is about the service brakes. A few drivers reported that their vehicle would accelerate when braking.
One user shared his experience of almost colliding with a car in front of them. While at a stop and putting the vehicle into reverse, the car started moving even though their foot remained on the brake. It’s not the most widespread issue, but it’s worth checking if you buy a pre-owned unit.
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Buy: 2018 Acura ILX
The 2018 Acura ILX packs an impressive punch despite a seemingly lackluster appeal. Not only does it come with a more affordable price tag than its competitors, but it also boasts some of the lowest ownership costs in its class. The excellent value proposition and proven long-term reliability make the 2018 model a worthy choice for the most reliable Acura ILX year.
The 2018 Acura ILX doesn’t have a lengthy list of major reliability issues to be concerned about. With only eight complaints reported to the NHTSA, the model is either relatively problem-free or less popular, possibly a combination of both.
Moreover, the 2018 ILX impresses with its commendable fuel economy, which is always a good selling point for used car buyers.
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Avoid: 2019 Acura ILX
Unfortunately, the 2019 Acura ILX is another year you should avoid – not because it’s wildly unreliable but because it’s so mediocre it hurts. U.S. News ranked the 2019 ILX squarely at the bottom of the heap, with an overall score of 6.2 out of 10. While it does boast plenty of standard tech features and a user-friendly infotainment system, it fails to stand out in a field where many of its rivals offer the same advantages.
With its subpar predicted reliability ratings, lackluster driving experience, and a cabin that disappoints with hard plastics and outdated tech features, the 2019 Acura ILX falls short of expectations.
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