Acura
ILX
Owner report available
Acura
TSX
Owner report available
Acura ILX vs Acura TSX
The short answer
The Acura ILX offers fuel economy, while the Acura TSX excels at power instead. Choose the Acura ILX if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the Acura TSX if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
ILX
Overall
Owners generally regard the ILX as a reliable, well-built compact sedan that shares its bones with the Honda Civic, and most describe it as a solid daily driver rather than a true luxury car. Praise centers on reliability, easy maintenance, good highway fuel economy, and the non-turbo K24 engine paired with a dual-clutch transmission in later models. Criticism focuses on the harsh ride, unremarkable handling, transmission clunkiness at low speed, and the fact that it does not feel as premium as its badge or price suggest.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal favors the 2016-2018 models with the K24 engine and dual-clutch transmission, which owners describe as reliable, quick-shifting, and capable of around 40 mpg on the highway.
Known issues
- Infotainment head unit failure after battery death or developer-menu access, requiring full computer replacement at roughly $1,000: Frequency: recurrent (multiple 2019 and 2021 owners).
TSX
Overall
Owners broadly regard the TSX as a reliable, practical, and engaging car, with the K24 four-cylinder engine and its long service life drawing the most praise. The wagon body style is treated as rare and desirable, though many owners argue that rarity does not justify premium asking prices on high-mileage examples. Criticisms center on oil consumption, VTC actuator rattle, timing chain concerns, and expensive parts for the first generation.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus, though the strongest signal favors the 2007-2008 first-generation cars, which owners describe as having the refreshed engine and most of the earlier issues resolved. Owners repeatedly advise avoiding the 2004 model year and recommend 2005 and newer.
Known issues
- Oil consumption: Frequency: recurrent. VTC actuator rattle, sometimes appearing as early as 60k miles: Frequency: recurrent. Timing chain rattle on cold start: Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Acura ILX is the better choice for most buyers.
It has stronger reliability sentiment in owner reports than the Acura TSX, based on the data above. If the specific known issues on the Acura ILX are a dealbreaker, the Acura TSX is worth a closer look instead.
Explore further
Common problems by model year
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Acura ILX or the Acura TSX?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Acura ILX than the Acura TSX. See the known issues comparison above for the specific concerns owners report on each.
Which is better for families, the Acura ILX or the Acura TSX?
Data on family-specific factors like cargo space is limited for one or both models, but based on available reports, both are positioned as practical daily drivers. Check the specs table above for seating and body type.
Which has better fuel economy, the Acura ILX or the Acura TSX?
The EPA rates the 2022 Acura ILX at 28 mpg combined and the 2014 Acura TSX at 22–25 mpg, depending on the version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura ILX or the Acura TSX?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Acura TSX than the Acura ILX. See the known issues comparison above.