MotorMouths

The 2012 Model S is simultaneously stylish, efficient, roomy, crazy fast, high-tech and all electric. It defies the notion that electric cars are range-limited conveyances.

Excellent build quality, good fuel economy and palatable starting prices make the 2013 Acura ILX an intriguing option for those who’d like a luxury car without the big payment.

More than a Civic with a new personality, the ILX is also a return to what the Acura brand originally stood for, attainable luxury, but now with modern fuel economy and we see that as a right turn for Acura.

All in all, though, the ILX is a vehicle that ultimately makes sense as it expands the Acura brand to new buyers that want to graduate to a premium car without breaking the bank. We see it as a step toward reviving the Acuras we so fondly remember driving.

The 2013 Acura ILX is sure to appeal to some efficiency-seeking entry-luxury shoppers. The ILX’s handling is competent, with good front/rear balance for a front-drive car, but there’s noticeable body roll, and the car simply doesn’t beg you to drive it hard.

The ILX offers looks, refinement, and amenities, and it has a distinctive feel, especially in terms of ride quality. Surprisingly, the ILX 2.0 is pleasantly peppy, though it trails a few competitors in terms of power.

A well-rounded car, the ILX offers luxury for less and is certain to also deliver brand qualities like reliability and durability. What is lacking, however, is a more engaging driving experience, once a hallmark of Acura vehicles.

If you want a refined compact car that has everything you and your smartphone need and not 1 cubic foot more, there’s a case to be made for the ILX over the larger, less efficient cars in this price range.

There will certainly be those who dismiss the ILX for its modest performance and small size relative to its $26,000 base price. But others might focus on its premium nameplate, refinement, and features and consider it a bargain.

The Acura ILX strikes me as a second-marriage car. This is a roundly sensible, tolerably attractive little luxer with very decent build quality, diverting performance and a score or more of easy-to-use digital amenities. It also has a substantial pedigree for safety and reliability.

The ILX straddles the fence between entry-level and luxury, but doesn’t seem sure where it wants to commit. Pricey either way, buyers will take a hard look at it.

Overall, the ILX doesn’t make a strong statement in how it looks or how it performs, but it possesses the willing responses and light, almost delicate feel that has historically typified Hondas (with a nicer interior then you’ll find in a Honda).