Hybrid cars are extremely common nowadays and we can expect to see even more roll out in the near future as automakers do their best to meet the EPA standards and make their lineups more fuel-efficient. However, this cornucopia of fuel-saving autos didn’t arrive without a lot of trial-and-error as brands, such as Acura, have released hybrid cars and then discontinued them quickly when they didn’t sell well. One such car is the Acura ILX Hybrid, which was short-lived on the new car market, but is currently quite the bargain if you need a reliable gas sipper.

The Acura ILX Hybrid was based on the Honda Civic

You may not remember the Acura ILX Hybrid, and we wouldn’t blame you because it was only in production for the 2013 and 2014 model years and was discontinued due to slow sales. It worked well as an entry-level luxury hybrid sedan as it garnered great fuel economy numbers, had comfortable seating for five, and provided more luxurious touches than its Civic counterpart, however, there was one fatal flaw: it was too expensive.

Acura priced its “budget-friendly” ILX Hybrid at around $35,000, which was around $7,000 more than the base ILX 2.0 at the time and around $10,000 more than the Civic Hybrid at the time. What’s more, the Civic Hybrid was rated at 43 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway, while the ILX Hybrid was rated at 38 city/38 highway. Interestingly enough, the ILX Hybrid was powered by the same 1.5-liter engine and electric motor setup as the Civic Hybrid, yet it got worse fuel economy. On top of that, it used the Civic chassis as well.

Why get an Acura ILX Hybrid over a Civic then?

Despite the similarities, higher price tag, and less-efficient fuel ratings, we still think that the Acura ILX Hybrid could still be a good choice for anyone looking for a budget hybrid. Why? Because you can currently find an ILX Hybrid anywhere between $8,000 to $10,000 on the used market with some decent numbers on the odometer. Also, it’s still nicer than a comparable Civic Hybrid.

The Acura ILX Hybrid came with leather seating, a sunroof, and all of the power amenities you would expect from a budget luxury car, however, it provided a quieter ride and nicer materials than its Honda counterpart. If you do find yourself perusing the classifieds for one of these cars, then we recommend finding one with the Technology package as that added navigation, a rearview camera, a premium ELS sound system, heated seats, auto climate control, and xenon headlamps. Keep in mind that this was before the days that LED headlights and Apple Carplay were standard features, so don’t expect modern features like those.

Is it worth it to buy one now?

While many would argue that buying a Civic Hybrid, or even a base-model LX, would be a wise choice over an ILX Hybrid, we would still argue that the slightly upscale feel of the Acura is worth the extra coin. And while its fuel economy ratings aren’t as good as the Civic Hybrid on paper, keep in mind that your mileage may vary and your real-world numbers could come close. So if you’re not planning to diligently track your fuel economy and want an affordable and reliable car that’s a little nicer than a Civic, then the Acura ILX Hybrid could be a great choice.