Compare the2022 Acura ILXVS 2021 Volkswagen Arteon

Both the ILX and the Arteon 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the ILX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Arteon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Arteon ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The ILX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Arteon’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 55 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

On the EPA test cycle the ILX gets better mileage than the Arteon:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura ILX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Arteon requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The ILX offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Arteon doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better maneuverability, the ILX’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the Arteon’s (36.8 feet vs. 39 feet).

The Acura ILX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 800 pounds less than the Volkswagen Arteon.

The ILX is 9.4 inches shorter than the Arteon, making the ILX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The ILX has .1 inches more front headroom and 1.1 inches more front legroom than the Arteon.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 44% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.