2018 Acura ILX

Pros: Surprisingly hospitable rear seat; competitive pricing; good range of available luxury and safety features; improved quietness; nice ride/handling balance

Cons: Only one powertrain available; cabin ambiance and materials a bit drab for the class; engine occasionally feels coarse to some testers

CG Says: The 2018 Acura ILX gains a Special Edition package that includes 18-inch wheels and special trim. The ILX is a premium compact sedan that is positioned between regular compact cars and the majority of premium compacts. A 201-horsepower 2.4-liter cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automated-manual transmission is the sole powertrain. Available features include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The numerous improvements for 2016 made ILX a more credible contender in its segment. The 2018 Acura ILX still doesn’t quite match the premium ambiance of some of its class rivals, but competitive pricing and a long list of desirable available features make it a worthwhile choice.