The serenity of a luxury car is a welcome feeling for many. With their refined entertainment and tech, enhanced performance, and top-of-the-line safety features, though, they can be pretty expensive. Used examples can slash the price by more than half, but there’s no sense in picking an older model with reliability issues. But the 2013 Acura ILX fits the bill nicely.

U.S. News picked the 2013 Acura ILX as one of the most reliable used luxury cars. Even better, potential buyers can easily pick one up for under $20,000.

2013 Acura ILX performance and interior features

The ILX is only offered in one trim, but two optional packages are available, as are two engine choices. Base powerplants include an “underwhelming” 150-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. But the configuration will achieve an EPA-rated 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A much quicker 201-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder is available exclusively with a six-speed manual, but it shouldn’t be considered sporty. Fuel economy drops by two mpg in city and highway driving conditions.

Inside the 2013 Acura ILX, premium interior materials are standard, but competitors provide additional extravagance for a similar price. Cloth upholstery covers the seats; the only leather is on the steering wheel. Yet, leather upholstery can be had with the Premium package, along with a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Either includes comfy, well-padded seats, but adults may struggle with relaxation in the back with a lack of headroom.

A myriad of features came standard in the 2013 Acura ILX. They include Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, a six-speaker stereo, a sunroof, a push-button start, keyless entry, and a USB port. Available upgrades in the Technology package include a hard-drive-based navigation system with a music-storing surround-sound audio system. However, the package wasn’t available on the 2.4-liter models. A 2013 ILX starts around $11,400 for those in good condition, going up to roughly $13,700.

Is the 2013 Acura ILX reliable?

Given its connection to parent company Honda, the 2013 Acura ILX has excellent reliability. When it was new, J.D. Power rated the ILX above compacts from BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes, and even some Lexus models. But a decade later, issues have mounted with the ILX.

CarComplaints shows that 2013 Acura ILX owners have dealt with numerous suspension problems, brake malfunctions, electrical issues, and transmission failures. Several issues were reported early on in the car’s life. Moreover, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration issued six recalls on the vehicle. They include corroding driveshafts, rupturing airbags, failing front door latches, and fire-causing headlights.

How many miles will a 2013 Acura ILX last?

Despite the imperfections, the 2013 Acura ILX will likely stay on the road for a while. 2013 was the first year of the ILX, and typically, inaugural models have a few bugs to be worked out. Regardless, with its Honda Civic underpinnings, the ILX’s life should be longer than most luxury models. The threshold of 200,000 miles shouldn’t be hard to hit.

RepairPal says the average annual repair cost for the ILX is $435, much less than competitors. So, even if problems arise, they’re easier and cheaper to solve. They give the small four-door a reliability rating of “4.5 out of 5.0,” making it second among a crowd of 17 luxury compact cars.

The 2013 Acura ILX is a good choice for an upscale compact sedan. Like other older models, it does have its faults, but its low cost of ownership shouldn’t be ignored. A used ILX with the Premium package will provide more comfort and trimmings over the base configuration. The Technology package will also net advanced features, but only if potential buyers don’t want the quicker, stick-shift Acura.