2020 Acura IL-X A-Spec – Test Drive, Review, Ratings, Spec
Organic, Old or Both?
Acura is a brand that sets itself apart from its competitors with performance expertise and luxury; albeit more so on the latter category. But it’s still built from the back bone of its parent Honda fundamentals – mechanical simplicity and ultimate reliability. The IL-X is perhaps the best representation of what Acura is ultimately trying to accomplish here – organic performance with a bit of luxury. The minimal fuss naturally aspirated non-turbo 2.0L 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine and an 8-speed dual clutch transmission is how the IL-X makes it all happen.
Powertrain
The naturally aspirated 2.0L 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine pumps out a respectable 201 horsepower. Instead of fitting it with a turbocharged engine, the IL-X incorporates a snappy 8-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission to deal with torque continuity. The end result is uninterrupted and ultra-linear acceleration with exceptionally quick and seamless gear shifts especially in manual mode via its steering-mounted paddle shifters.
Acura press boasts its power-to-weight ratio selling point and our test-drive attests to that statement. Apart from its smooth and organic acceleration, the IL-X handles corners exceptionally well around bends and windy roads with its light weight and agile feel.
Helping keep the IL-X a smooth ride is its Amplitude-Reactive Damping suspensions that has two levels of damping to adjust its stiffness in real time. It doesn’t quite compare to the more authentic dynamic dampening suspensions out there as the overall ride is still on the stiffer side.
Design and Quality
Let’s not forget that Acura is in the luxury brand and the IL-X has to look like it belongs. The IL-X is dressed up by a complex polygonal front grille patterned by a unique holographic mesh pattern. Added deck-lid spoiler, side skirts, LED fog-lights and a good paint job completes the overall sharp and aggressive formality.
Interior appeal is maintained, but its nostalgic styling is where things start to taper off. Material of choice and overall interior design especially the basic red-dial instrument cluster feels stale while the center-console infotainment screen still looks and feels as if it was still the first iteration nearly a decade ago. The lack of congruence between the red-dial instrument cluster and blue infotainment system is what really puts the interior down into the pits.
Still, the dual screen infotainment system, Acura navigation with voice-recognition and rain-sensing windshield wipers available with the A-spec tech package keeps the IL-X somewhat up to date.
Speckles of effort are observed to upscale the interior with red-dyed leather and suede suits; but it was still not enough to fool one into believing the IL-X is of top-grade quality here.
Final Verdict
The bottom line is you can’t have it all and the base price point of the IL-X of just $32,690 speaks loud and clear. Despite its archaic interior, the IL-X delivers a true and organic driving experience unmatched to many sports sedans offered today. Opting for the IL-X A-Spec trim gets you additional A-Spec badge, suede leather trim seats, side skirt and deck-trim spoiler while the A-spec tech upgrades you with navigation with voice recognition and Acura Home-Link remote system for $36,690 and $38,090 respectively.
Specifications
- Vehicle : 2020 Acura IL-X
- Model : A-Spec Tech
- Price as Tested : $38,090
- Vehicle Type : Luxury Sedan
- Seating Capacity : 2+3
- Powertrain Configuration : FWD
- Engine : 2.0L I-VTEC
- Transmission : 8-speed Automatic with Direct Shift
- Horsepower : 201
Pros
- Contemporary and sleek exterior styling
- Smooth and uninterrupted acceleration
- Seamless and snappy gear shifts from 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission
- Excellent Handling
Cons
- Dated Interior and quality of materials
- Dated infotainment and tech features.