The 2016 ILX boasts dynamic new front and rear styling cues, including standard Jewel Eye™ LED headlights, combination LED taillights and available upsized wheels and tires. The new LED headlights and taillights are complemented by a new design Acura grille and front and rear fasciae. Sleek, sporty and aerodynamically efficient, the new Acura ILX exterior simultaneously combines themes of luxury, performance and efficiency. The new A-SPEC Package, available on Premium and Tech Plus models, gains 18-inch 10-spoke machined-face alloy wheels, fog lights, sporty side sill garnish and a deck lid spoiler. The Acura ILX delivers both with its wide stance, long nose and a short tail that are keen-edged and individualistic, aerodynamically efficient, and immediately recognizable as an Acura.
What’s NEW for 2016
- NEW front fascia and grille design
- NEW Jewel Eye® LED headlights
- NEW rear fascia design
- NEW combination LED taillights
- NEW standard 17-inch 10-spoke aluminum wheels
- NEW standard Active Noise Control
- NEW Next-Generation ACE body design for improved rigidity, cabin quietness and enhanced frontal collision performance
- NEW sound insulating materials and design features, including thicker front side door glass.
- NEW A-SPEC Package with fog lights, side sill garnish, deck lid spoiler and new 18-inch machined aluminum wheels
- NEW Catalina Blue Pearl paint
Design Concept
The ILX’s keen-edged design is simultaneously edgy and fluid, with dynamic forms and expressive lines flowing from the front of the signature Acura grille, along the body sides and across the three-dimensional cabin to the crisply styled trunk.
The latest evolution of Acura’s bold shield grille features a slimmer satin-finish center bar. Flanking the grille are new Jewel Eye® LED headlights, a first for the entry premium segment. Each headlight features five LED clusters that sweep outboard from the edges of the new grille and wrap into the fenders. Vertically-faceted side marker lights and reflectors are positioned at the outer edges of each headlight cluster.
Below the grille is a new design front fascia with an aerodynamically tailored lower edge and wider center recess along with a pair of taller outboard recesses with a honeycomb grille design. Models equipped with the A-SPEC Package include fog lights.
The long aluminum hood has a central character line that flows from the top of the grille back to the windshield. Narrow A-pillars afford good front visibility through the new acoustic glass windshield.
All ILX models feature body-color side mirrors. The door windows are surrounded by satin trim that groups the windows together and visually elongates the cabin shape.
Broad front fenders and pronounced front and rear wheel arches lend the ILX an athletic presence. The fenders are highlighted with crisp-edged flares that further emphasize the ten-spoke wheel design (18-inch diameter on Premium and Tech Plus models with the A-SPEC Package and 17-inch on all others).
The most prominent character line on the ILX starts behind the front wheel arches and then rises as it flows rearward through the front door handle, over the rear door handle and rear wheel arches, and finally toward the deck lid. This rising character line imparts a sense of muscularity and motion, even when the ILX is at rest. At the bottom of the doors lies an additional character line—a deeply set three-dimensional element that provides a look of solidity at the base of the body.
The rear of the cabin emphasizes the appearance of the wheel arches and compliments the strong, wide rear fenders. The taillight array wraps around the rear fenders and extends onto the back of the deck lid. The backup lights are located on the deck lid and the CHMSL is located at the top of the rear window. Models equipped with the A-SPEC Package are distinguished by a deck lid spoiler that further improves fuel efficiency.
Body Features
Standard exterior features for the 2016 Acura ILX include:
- 17-inch diameter aluminum wheels (10-spoke with silver-painted surface)
- P215/45R17 all-season tires
- Body color, power-actuated, heated side mirrors
- Power door locks with auto-lock feature
- 2-speed intermittent windshield wipers (headlight linked)
- Impact-absorbing body-colored front and rear bumpers
- Jewel Eye™ LED headlights with Auto On/Off function
- Combination LED taillights
- Power windows with auto up/down feature
- One-touch power moonroof with tilt feature
- Keyless Access System with pushbutton start
- Multi-View Rear Camera
ILX Premium/Tech Plus with A-SPEC Package
Added exterior features (above Premium/Tech Plus) include:
- Fog lights
- Side sill garnish
- Deck lid spoiler
- 18-inch machined-face and painted 10-spoke aluminum wheels
- P225/40R18 all-season tires
- Aluminum brake and accelerator pedals
Specifications:
Aerodynamic Efficiency
The ILX’s aerodynamic refinement provides benefits including high fuel efficiency, interior quietness, handling stability and low emissions. Numerous engineering details contribute to the ILX’s aerodynamic qualities, starting with its sleek surfaces and keen edges, progressing to its nearly full underbody panels.
- Front Fascia – A spoiler located at the lower edge of the front fascia reduces aerodynamic drag and lift, which improves steering feel at high speeds.
- Front Bumper Cover – Optimizing the front bumper corner shape reduces aerodynamic drag at the front tires.
- A Pillars – Streamlined A-pillars reduce turbulence, aerodynamic drag and wind noise.
- Wheel Strakes – Located ahead of the front and rear wheels, special aero strakes help move air smoothly around the tires, reducing side aerodynamic drag.
- Full Undercover – To smooth airflow underneath the ILX, an undercover starts behind the front fascia, extends under the engine, cabin and fuel tank, while also covering the open space behind the rear suspension and beneath the trunk.
- Rear Deck Lid Spoiler (A-SPEC Package) – Helps air separate cleanly off the back of the vehicle, resulting in a lower aerodynamic drag and improved stability at higher speeds.
Outward Visibility
The swept-back position and narrow dimensions of the A-pillars result in a wide 84-degree front windshield view angle. The rear sightlines are improved due to the location of the CHMSL at the roofline rather than on the rear parcel shelf.
Rigid Unit-Body Construction
The ILX utilizes a rigid unit body that offers outstanding ride and handling characteristics, as well as low interior noise levels. The upper part of the instrument panel, A- and C-pillars, floor area and rear trunk surround are designed for maximum strength with low weight. The body’s high torsional stiffness contributes to ride comfort and handling precision that have long been Acura hallmarks. Among the notable unit body structural elements are:
- Advanced computer modeling ensures maximum unit body stiffness with minimal weight, resulting in peak ride and handling qualities with low weight and high fuel efficiency
- Smooth load flows are particularly important for maintaining structural strength throughout the body. Particular emphasis on load flow was made at these areas:
- Lower B-pillars
- Lower C-pillars
- Rear wheel houses
- Floor panel
- Lower corners of the front bulkhead
- Side of the parcel shelf
- Rear suspension spring base
- Floor tunnel
- Rear floor cross member
- Mid floor cross member
Further development of this concept for 2016 again enhances body rigidity and contributes to improved ride quality. Among the changes this year are stiffened B-pillars, an added floorpan tunnel brace and cross member, and stiffeners in the C-pillar, rear wheelhouse, side sills and rear parcel shelf. These and other changes help increase the robustness of the ILX body structure and occupant collision protection, including a targeted GOOD rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small-overlap frontal crash test.
High-Strength Steel
For high strength that fosters long-term durability, the Acura ILX utilizes high-strength steel (HSS) in more than 50 percent of its body structure. This high-grade, high-tensile steel provides the required strength for these enhancements without adding excessive weight, which in turn improves the ILX’s steering and handling precision, while also enhancing fuel economy.
Various grades of steel are used in different areas of the body according to need. These include:
- 780 and 980 grade HSS – Inside sill, front floor cross member, front damper extension, etc. (for 8% of the unit body)
- 590 grade HSS – Used for most structural load paths for ACE™, including front side frame, front floor frame, center tunnel frame, mid-floor cross member, rear frame and center pillar stiffener (for 38% of the unit body)
- 440 grade HSS – Dashboard lower panel, rear damper base, etc. (for 4% of the unit body)
- 270 grade steel – Outer skin panels, floor panels, etc. (for 42% of the unit body)
Aluminum
Aluminum stampings are used in certain locations to reduce the ILX’s curb weight, which provides additional benefits in handling and fuel efficiency. Among the aluminum body components are the hood and front bumper beam.
Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ Body Structure
The 2016 ILX employs the Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. This uses a network of interconnected structural elements, now employing an even greater amount of high-tensile steel to absorb and distribute crash energy in the passenger compartment. This enhanced frontal crash energy management can also help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash. Additionally, Next-Generation ACE helps minimize the potential for under-ride or over-ride situations that can happen during frontal impacts should the ILX collide with another vehicle of a different size.
Collision Safety Targets
The 2016 ILX is designed to more efficiently absorb and dispense the energy in a frontal collision and targets a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA*) and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a targeted GOOD rating in the IIHS small-overlap frontal crash test.
*Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).
Cargo Area
The ILX trunk area features a wide opening and low lift-over height for easy loading and removal of items. The trunk interior is cleanly designed with smoothly finished hinges and premium panel fit. Inside is a high-quality molded lining. A temporary spare tire is located under the trunk floor panel.
The trunk cargo volume is 12.4 cubic feet, or 12.3 cubic feet with the Premium, Tech Plus and A-SPEC packages. The ILX can accommodate a significant amount of bulky cargo, including three golf bags, two large traditional suitcases, a large cooler or a wheelchair. When more space is needed for cargo, the one-piece fold-down rear seatback can be lowered to reveal a cargo pass-through to the rear seat area.
NVH Design Features
Extensive measures have been utilized to eliminate noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) from the passenger cabin of the ILX. Extensive analysis of systems and components – from the engine and transmission and their mounting systems, to the unit body, chassis and interior – result in a reduction in NVH in all operating parameters, particularly at highway cruising speeds. Key design elements include:
Vibration Mitigation
- Special attenuation for engine and transmission mounts, steering and suspension systems
- NEW Increased isolation for side engine mount and transmission mount
- Sound-reduction air intake system
- Body vibration damping system
- Rigid floor panels
- Low-vibration radiator support
- Stiffeners in rear body panels and trunk
- Highly rigid floor areas
Sound-absorbing Materials
- Front inner fender insulators
- Carpet mass tuned for maximum noise absorption
- Rear body tray insulator
- Tuned insulator panels
- Sound absorbing rear inner fender materials
- NEW Noise attenuator added to wheels
- NEW urethane rear fender bulkhead inserts
- NEW noise-insulating rear parcel shelf lining
Sound-absorbing Glass
- 4.5 mm acoustic windshield glass
- NEW Thicker, 5 mm front door glass
- 3.5 mm rear door glass
- Full-width sealer at bottom of windshield
Sealers and Insulators
Numerous sealers, sound absorbers and insulations are utilized to absorb noise, including:
- Floor melt sheet with plastic constraining layer located beneath the seating area and rear body area
- Broad use of Thinsulate™ insulating material
Active Noise Control
Now standard on all ILX models, Active Noise Control captures low-end drivetrain frequencies entering the cabin, and then creates a precisely timed reverse-phase audio signal to cancel them. The result is a reduction in exhaust booming noise as well as road noise. Overall, a substantial 10-dB reduction in unwanted noise is attained.
Jewel Eye® LED Headlights
New Jewel Eye® light-emitting diode (LED) headlights with an Auto On/Off feature replace the projector-beam halogen headlights and HID headlights on previous ILX models. Creating a dramatic new light signature, the Jewel Eye LED headlights are arrayed in sweeping diagonal lines running from the new grille’s center bar and wrapping into the fenders. Each Jewel Eye unit is composed of five large high-output full LED clusters. The three outermost LED lights are utilized for low beams, while the innermost two are dedicated as high beams. LEDs are also deployed for the daytime running light (DRL) function, with a light pipe that runs along the bottom edge of the five headlamps. Altogether, they create a dramatic and distinctive appearance with superior lighting capability.
Light Distribution
Both the low- and separate high-beam LED headlights offer outstanding performance in all nighttime driving conditions, including highway, winding roads, intersections, and in inclement weather conditions. The result is that the driver can see further with uniformity, making high-speed nighttime driving easier and less fatiguing.
LED headlights offer a brighter light than halogens and a warmer tone than HIDs. The full LED headlights produce light at around 5500 kelvin, which is close to the color of natural sunlight. LED headlights allow drivers to perceive contrast more easily, thus reducing eye strain.
A summary of LED benefits include:
- Outstanding light distribution
- Excellent distant illumination performance
- Clear illumination of the road surface and white lines
- High visibility of the entire visible color spectrum (white, red, green, blue and yellow) compared to HID and halogen headlights
- Response time when switching between low and high beam is shortened
- Light congruity is improved between low and high beams
Power Savings
Because LED headlights are efficient light producers, they require less power than conventional halogen bulbs. This reduces the car’s charging system load, helping to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. Using just 47 watts total, the ILX’s LED headlights use 57 percent less power than traditional halogen headlights, contributing to the ILX’s overall operating efficiency.
Long Lasting
Besides producing better light characteristics with lower energy usage, the ILX’s LED headlights are longer lasting. With an estimated life expectancy of 10,000 hours, the LED headlights are projected to last up to five times longer than HID headlights and up to 10 times longer than traditional halogen headlight bulbs — contributing to less frequent replacement and potential cost savings. Further, their compact packaging allow for an improved aerodynamic frontal design.
Many states now require the headlights to illuminate when the wipers are operating, so the ILX headlights are linked to the windshield wipers. When the driver activates the windshield wipers the headlights automatically illuminate, even during the daytime. The instrument panel lighting does not dim as it would during nighttime headlight illumination, however. This assures consistent high visibility of the gauges. The headlights stay illuminated for a short time after the wipers are switched off.
Combination LED Taillights
LED taillights are part of the ILX’s comprehensive exterior lighting array. Highly stylized to compliment the ILX body design, they are also brighter than traditional incandescent-bulb taillights, with a longer projected lifespan. Use of LEDs allows the addition of a “light pipe” styling element extending across the center of the lenses, contributing to the ILX’s unique blend of design and engineering. The ILX taillight system features incandescent bulbs for the turn signal and back-up lights, and LED illumination for the Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL).
Windshield Wipers
Positioning the ILX’s windshield wipers below the rear edge of the hood line keeps them out of the driver’s normal sightline for improved forward visibility. In addition, the wipers are positioned out of the airflow going over the hood to help reduce turbulence that can contribute to unwanted aerodynamic drag and interior noise.
One-Touch Turn Signals
The ILX turn signals feature a simplified activation to simplify lane changes. One quick, light push on the turn-signal stalk blinks the turn signals three times— a typical number required for lane changes. The turn signals may be fully activated in the typical manner (by pushing the stalk past its detent), which will activate the signals until cancellation occurs.
Side Mirrors
Aerodynamically shaped side mirror housings minimize turbulence and reduce wind noise. The mirror housings are body colored for a more integrated appearance. All models include as standard power-actuated mirrors that are heated. The heating elements help remove condensation, ice and snow that would hinder rearward vision and are switched on whenever the rear defroster button is depressed.
Expanded-View Driver’s Mirror
The ILX features a new expanded view side mirror on the driver-side door. As required by law, the main area of the mirror uses a traditional flat reflective plane on the inner portion of the mirror (that is closest to the door), while the outer portion of the mirror uses a convex element to provide a broader field of view. The convex portion of the mirror generates an additional 6.5 degrees of visibility that can assist the driver in detecting other vehicles that might not have otherwise been seen in a traditional side mirror.
Fuel Tank
Located forward of the multi-link rear suspension, the fuel tank is constructed of polyethylene for reduced weight and lower evaporative emissions. The molded composite design also allows for a 13.2-gallon fuel capacity. The tank also incorporates a returnless fuel supply system that helps reduce vapor generation and reduces overall weight.
Keyless Access System
All ILX models feature the Keyless Access System with smart entry and pushbutton ignition. The system has a unique digital identity that lets the ILX owner gain access to the car without having to unlock it with the remote transmitter or a conventional key. With the Keyless Access Remote in his or her possession, the car will be unlocked automatically when the driver pulls one of the front door handles.
Once the door is opened and the driver is seated, the system allows the engine to be started by depressing the brake pedal and pushing the Engine Start/Stop button positioned on the instrument panel.
When leaving the car, a press of the soft-touch button on the outside of either front door handle simultaneously locks all the doors. Alternatively, a press of the Lock button on the Keyless Access Remote will simultaneously lock all the doors.
Remote Engine Start
Bi-Directional Keyless Remote Engine Start is available as an accessory for U.S. customers. The feature is a convenience for owners who may desire to warm up the interior and defrost the windows on a cold day or cool down the cabin with the A/C system in hot weather before driving away. After pressing the lock button on the special bi-directional keyless remote, the owner starts the engine with a 1-second push of the engine-start button on the remote.
Multi-View Rear Camera
All ILX models feature a multi-view rear camera. The standard ILX displays its image on the 5-inch display in the instrument panel, while the ILX with the Premium or Tech Plus Package present the rearward view on the 8-inch W-VGA color navigation monitor. The driver can select among a choice of top view, normal view or wide view.
When the ILX transmission is placed in Reverse, the view from a rear-mounted camera is displayed. To make it easier for the driver to judge distance and clearance, solid yellow on-screen guidelines indicate width, as well as distances of approximately 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 meters (approximately 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 yards) as measured from the rear of the ILX.
The primary view is “Normal View,” which delivers about 130 degrees of rearward visibility. For special conditions, there is the “Wide View,” which delivers some 180 degrees of rearward visibility. The “Top View” generates a straight-down look at the area just rearward of the bumper, thus easing maneuvering in tight parking spaces.
Exterior Colors
Six colors add drama and personality to the 2016 ILX. Making its debut on the ILX is an all-new color for Acura: Catalina Blue Pearl.
- White Orchid Pearl
- Slate Silver Metallic
- Graphite Luster Metallic
- Crystal Black Pearl
- NEW Catalina Blue Pearl
- Basque Red Pearl
Body Accessories
A line of Acura Genuine Accessories was developed simultaneously with the ILX to provide vehicle personalization for owners. As with all Acura Genuine Accessories, ILX accessories are covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty if purchased and installed by the dealer at the time of original vehicle purchase. Available accessories include:
- Unique 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels
- Front underbody spoiler
- Rear underbody spoiler
- Side underbody spoiler
- Body side molding
- Rear decklid spoiler
- Rear appliqué
- Door edge guards
- Car cover
- Splash guards
- Wheel locks
- Fog lights
- Remote engine starter
- Engine block heater
- XM Radio installation kit