Is Acura ILX better than Honda Accord?
When it comes to choosing between the Acura ILX and the Honda Accord, car buyers often find themselves weighing luxury against practicality. Both vehicles are popular choices in their respective categories, but which one is better for you? At Kevin's Autos, with years of experience in car maintenance and repair, we’ve seen both models up close and can provide insights to help you make an informed decision.
Performance and Driving Experience
The Acura ILX is a compact luxury sedan, while the Honda Accord is a midsize sedan. This distinction plays a significant role in their driving dynamics and performance:
- Acura ILX: The ILX offers a sporty driving experience with its 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower. It’s designed for those who enjoy a more agile and responsive ride, making it ideal for city driving and tight corners.
- Honda Accord: The Accord, on the other hand, provides a range of engine options, including a turbocharged 1.5-liter and a 2.0-liter engine, as well as a hybrid variant. With up to 252 horsepower in the 2.0-liter model, the Accord offers more power and versatility, especially for highway driving and long trips.
Interior and Comfort
Both vehicles excel in interior quality, but they cater to different preferences:
- Acura ILX: As a luxury sedan, the ILX features premium materials, a quieter cabin, and a more refined design. However, its compact size means less rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to the Accord.
- Honda Accord: The Accord boasts a spacious interior with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. Its trunk space is also larger, making it a better choice for families or those who frequently carry luggage.
Technology and Features
When it comes to technology, both cars are well-equipped, but there are some differences:
- Acura ILX: The ILX comes with standard luxury features like leatherette upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced safety systems. However, its infotainment system can feel dated compared to newer models.
- Honda Accord: The Accord offers a more modern infotainment system with a larger touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard features. Higher trims include additional tech like a head-up display and wireless charging.
Price and Value
Price is often a deciding factor for many buyers:
- Acura ILX: As a luxury vehicle, the ILX comes with a higher starting price. While it offers a premium experience, it may not provide as much value for the money compared to the Accord.
- Honda Accord: The Accord is more affordable and offers a wider range of trims to suit different budgets. Its combination of features, performance, and practicality makes it a better value for most buyers.
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice between the Acura ILX and the Honda Accord ultimately depends on your priorities:
- If you’re looking for a compact luxury sedan with a sporty feel and premium features, the Acura ILX is a great option.
- If you need a spacious, versatile, and feature-packed midsize sedan that offers excellent value, the Honda Accord is the better choice.
At Kevin's Autos, we’ve worked on countless Acura and Honda models, and both are reliable vehicles with their own strengths. If you’re still unsure, feel free to reach out to us for advice or to schedule a test drive. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acura ILX same size as Honda Accord?
Passenger Space Comparison: The Honda Accord, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Acura ILX and Honda Accord are comparable in regards to front leg room.
What is more reliable Honda or Acura?
Most drivers consider both Honda and Acura to be great choices that aren't as hungry for auto service, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Acura vs. Honda reliability is a tie. That's not just our opinion: RepairPal.com gave both the Acura and Honda brands a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0.
Is Acura ILX considered a luxury car?
As previously mentioned, Acura is a luxury brand because it ticks all of the above boxes. Here are just some examples of luxury features — which you can find in Acura vehicles — that might not be found on non-luxury vehicles: Advanced technology interfaces. Luxe lighting options.
Is an Acura ILX expensive to maintain?
Maintaining a Acura ILX will cost $464 per year on average through the first 5 years of new ownership. Costs and probability of repair increase over time.
How long will Acura ILX last?
250,000 to 300,000 miles
MotorAsk.com – “Acuras can last anywhere from 250,000 to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance. According to Acura owners, some of the brand's vehicles can even last 400,000 miles or more in ideal conditions and with a responsible owner…
Is Acura more expensive to fix than Honda?
In general, luxury cars are more expensive to maintain due to their higher-end components, and Acura is no exception. However, because Acura shares many mechanical underpinnings with Honda, many parts are interchangeable, which can help in keeping maintenance costs down compared to other luxury brands.
What is the most reliable car model?
Consumer Reports' 10 most reliable car models
- Toyota RAV4. CR reliability score: 86. Overall CR score: 76.
- Toyota Corolla. CR reliability score: 84.
- Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. CR reliability score: 84.
- Mazda MX-5 Miata. CR reliability score: 84.
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. CR reliability score: 83.
- BMW i4. CR reliability score: 82.
What car is more reliable than Honda Accord?
Toyota Is The Most Reliable Car Brand
According to the 2023 Consumer Reports highest reliable brands, Toyota is the number one most reliable brand, while Honda is a few step below at number five.
Why is Acura discontinuing the ILX?
The Acura ILX has been discontinued because the company plans to focus on the Acura Integra for the sedan market in the United States. The Acura NSX, on the other hand, has been discontinued due to declining sales and the company's focus on electric vehicles.
Is the Acura ILX a reliable car?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 6% for the Acura ILX, compared to an average of 11% for luxury compact cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
