2013 Acura ILX: close up

Based on the Honda Civic platform but with an entirely unique design and cabin, the ILX offers a lot of interior room; the rest of the cars in this group don't.

The interior is in line with the TSX and RDX in terms of materials quality. The center stack of controls is perhaps the simplest I've seen in an Acura in years. The interior design also feels sporty, but what impressed me most was the legroom in back. With the driver's seat adjusted for my 5-foot-10 frame, I had plenty of knee room in the backseat. Pardon the poor iPhone photo below.

The practical stuff is all here, including modest powertrains, but at least the ILX is a looker. This is also why I applaud automakers for bringing more than one exterior color. The car that was placed on the pedestal was a boring bronze, but one nearby in black showed off its curvaceous rear much better.

Acura's much maligned beak-like shield is also better integrated on the ILX than on the TL and RL.

Perhaps Acura is clawing its way out of the doldrums with what should be its most boring car.

2013 Acura ILX

Even if you find the 2013 Acura ILX’s powertrain options underwhelming, it would be disingenuous to suggest the car is a quick 2012 Honda Civic rebadge. The new Acura has presence and a bit of style for what’s intended to be an entry-level, compact, premium sedan. Don’t believe us? Take a closer look at the gallery below, which features the 2013 Acura ILX alongside the 2012 Honda Civic and 2012 Acura TSX. Compared to the Civic and TSX designs, we think the ILX’s styling is sufficiently different to justify its existence.

From the front, the 2013 Acura ILX is instantly identifiable as an Acura thanks to the power plenum badge. Unlike the 2012 Acura TSX sedan, though, the 2013 ILX features a carefully sculpted hood that draws more attention to the grille. The ILX’s lower front fascia is more subtle than the TSX’s layout, and that theme continues to the wheel well flares.