DRIVEN + VIDEO: Acura's ILX Is Aiming To Take Down The Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA And Lexus CT — How Does It Do?

The newly refreshed Acura ILX is a vehicle that's had a tough go of it this year. While it came out swinging with an updated look and revamped interior, it's been taking its fair share of punches from reviewers.

Some have said it just isn't premium enough, others have ridiculed its Civic-based chassis and others just can't get over its styling.

Considering Acura has been known to deliver the goods on the technology front though, we were happy to see the geeks over at CNET take it for a spin. Something tells me that Acura may NOT be so happy about it though.

To see what I mean, check out what CNET had to say about the revamped ILX below!


Acura's smallest car makes a bid for premium status with high-tech driver assistance features, but a confusing infotainment interface and noisy cabin let it down.

valhallakey - 7/26/2015 8:56:31 PM

+4 Boost

Features alone do not make a premium car ala the Lexus ES300 - er Camry

TheSteve - 7/26/2015 9:07:55 PM

+3 Boost

Acura makes wonderful cars. The problem is that so few people express that sentiment, that it result in a lack of mass interest, mass excitement, or mass appeal. I believe, possibly incorrectly, that Acura wants to have broader appeal, and thereby result in increased sales and increased mind-share and market share. That's their challenge.

Meanwhile, the Big Three luxury car makers, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes (in alphabetic order, plus Lexus in a very close 4th place), are all substantially different, yet each is doing their thing well enough to get the sales and mass recognition.

cidflekken - 7/26/2015 9:18:50 PM

+4 Boost

Well, it wasn't a horrible review, really. I think Acura is heading in the right direction and hopefully the next-generation ILX will hit the right(er) marks. Clearly, Honda/Acura realize the shortcomings of its dual-screen technology as no new Hondas are offering this feature. The BMW 320i I had as a loaner wasn't a quiet car at all, either and it sounded like I was driving a diesel at times.

MDarringer - 7/27/2015 10:27:07 AM

-2 Boost

As long as Acura is doing the Japanese Mercury thing it will not be taken seriously. The stench of the Civic comes through in the ILX as does the stench of the Accord in the RLX.

Acura makes nice Mercurys. They are Hondas with a lot of crap thrown on, but they are NOT premium.

Acura's sales come with steep discounts. An RLX can easily be had with $20K off.

llaroo - 7/27/2015 1:10:37 PM

-1 Boost

taking on an a3 ? I don't think so. Design, quality, handling, performance, no brainer, A3 all the way

MDarringer - 7/27/2015 8:10:51 PM

-2 Boost

I predict the 1 Series will be scarily popular.

carsnyc - 7/27/2015 3:37:06 PM

0 Boost

Not a chance, not even against the CT or A3.

stampfer - 7/28/2015 3:39:12 PM

+2 Boost

I think Acura builds some good cars- not pretty or attractive cars, but reliable and functional ones - my wife has had 3 MDX's and I have nothing negative to say about them. From my perspective materials, fit/finish, and NVH determine luxury feel or lack thereof, more so than any tech features. If I could have it my way, we'd eliminate all of these ridiculous driver aids that are going to make people inferior drivers when they start to rely on the computers and not their own senses. Plus the radar and laser that makes it all possible, f's with my police radar/lidar detector.

MDarringer - 7/28/2015 7:19:51 PM

-1 Boost

Acura builds Hondas and jacks up the price,