Compare the2022 Acura ILX VS 2022 Hyundai Elantra

The ILX has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Elantra doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the ILX and the Elantra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ILX the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 213 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the ILX second among small premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Elantra isn’t in the top three in its category.

The ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (201 vs. 147) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (180 vs. 132) than the Elantra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

For better stopping power the ILX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Elantra:

	ILX	Elantra
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.3 inches

The ILX’s standard front disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The front discs on the Elantra are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the ILX has larger standard tires than the Elantra (215/45R17 vs. 195/65R15).

The ILX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Elantra SE’s standard 65 series tires. The ILX A-SPEC’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Elantra’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ILX has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Elantra SE. The ILX A-SPEC’s 18-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the Elantra.

For superior ride and handling, the Acura ILX has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Hyundai Elantra has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The ILX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Elantra’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

The ILX has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the ILX flat and controlled during cornering. The Elantra’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The ILX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Elantra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the ILX offers cargo security. The Elantra’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the ILX. The Elantra doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 27% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 24th.

The ILX offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Elantra doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the ILX, the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Elantra doesn’t offer a memory system.

The ILX’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Elantra’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the ILX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Elantra can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The ILX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Elantra’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The ILX’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Elantra’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The ILX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Elantra and aren’t offered on the Elantra SE.

When the ILX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Elantra’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The ILX has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Elantra SE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The ILX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Elantra SEL/Limited.