2018 Audi A3 vs. 2018 Acura ILX

When taking a look at the Audi A3 vs. Acura ILX, the two are fairly evenly matched in a number of categories. But when you get down to the details, the Audi A3 consistently outshines the competition. When comparing fuel economy, for example, the A3 and ILX both generate identical highway fuel economy numbers of 35 mpg. However, the A3 produces 26 mpg in the city and the ILX only generates 25 city mpg. While that difference may seem slight at first, imagine how much you could save per year by squeezing an extra gallon out of every tank of gas. The difference in annual fueling costs could be huge.

Next, let’s look at your performance options. The Acura ILX only offers one powertrain, a 2.4L 4-cylinder with direct injection technology. It produces 201 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque in total. The Audi A3 offers two different options under the hood. The standard 2.0 TFSI FWD has slightly less horsepower at 186, but plenty of extra torque at 221 lb-ft. And if you want more power, just choose the available 2.0 TFSI quattro for 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Audi gives you more choices, so you can pick between heightened efficiency and heightened horsepower. If you opt for the Acura ILX, what you see is what you get.

Finally, which vehicle will protect you and your passengers from the hazards of the road? While both models have plenty of safety features in common, like airbag systems and anti-lock brakes, the Audi has integrated state-of-the-art features into its list of standard offerings. For example, take the Audi pre sense system. This suite of driver assistance features can help prevent fender benders from occurring, thanks to technology like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. While the Acura ILX has its own Collision Mitigation Braking System, you’ll need to pay extra and upgrade to enjoy these features.