There’s a joke now about me as I test drive vehicles. Unlike other auto journalists, it takes about an hour for me to take all of the kid stuff out of my own car and transfer it to the tester. Car seats, sporting equipment, groceries, garbage, dried cheerios and dirty coffee mugs make their way into the clean new car as everyone around me chuckles. Luckily whenever I drive an Acura, I feel so much like a princess that I don’t mind the extra work. I drove the Acura ILX Hybrid (MSRP $35,050) and ILX Technology (MSRP$32,350) back to back and was delighted by what I found.
Though they are different to drive (and a tad distracting if you watch the dials as much as I do), hybrids are winning my love at the moment. Typically it’s all about the environment and the time and money you save at the gas pumps, but as an under-appreciated mom, I have other reasons. I feel like I’m in control; of how I use the fuel, how I drive, and the noise level within the car. I also feel good about myself for simply driving a hybrid (and am able to park in hybrid-only parking spots). That’s nice too.
That aside, here’s what I loved about both vehicles:
1. The Valet key is genius. The removable key portion ensures that the valet or a burglar can’t get into trunk if the ‘valet’ option is switched off. For this reason there is no passthru on the trunk on hybrid. (Skiiers beware).
2. Flat tire seal repair kit for the hybrid ensures you have no need to change a tire on the side of road. Perfect safety for women!
3. There’s a hard drive in the vehicle so that when you insert a cd it will copy your music and store it on the hard drive (150 cd capacity).
4. Like in Hondas, there is a flat back floor which gives backseat passengers more room – especially if someone is sitting between two carseats.
5. Pant protector and the double seal on doors ensures that you don’t get oil and grease on your new designer jeans.
6. Seat warmers remember last setting so nobody can play a joke on you by making your backside too hot.. Ditto for the navigation system with voice recognition.
7. The push button start, while leaving the key in your purse is a must for moms.
8. The look is super sporty with a low profile and great viz.
9. Rear windows are nice and low so that the kids can see out (hopefully avoiding some car screaming time).
10. The SMS text message function reads you texts as you drive, and you are also able to respond with a few stock responses such as ‘I’ll text later, I’m driving’. Much fun can be had with passengers in the back seat depending on the propriety of incoming text messages.
11. There is a “feedback” system in the Hybrid that lets a driver know how well they are performing. A big green ball grows larger if you drive sensibly and shrinks if you don’t. So try to limit the shrinkage.
Drawbacks:
1. I thought the trunk of the hybrid was small, as the battery is behind the back seat (or perhaps I carry around too much junk…)
2. Totally not a drawback with the vehicles but either with my kids or my ineptitude as a Mom. Where does all of the kid-dirt come from? I am SO glad I don’t have to clean the car after a week of driving. What’s with the blue playdoh?
The Verdict?
Loved both of these vehicles and for the extra couple of thousand dollars, I’d choose the Acura ILX Hybrid. The savings in fuel, the rear spoiler and the self-love you’ll receive make it a slam dunk.
Check out the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Acura RDX too.