Compare the2022 Acura ILXVS 2022 Lexus ES

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 ES doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the ILX and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura ILX is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura ILX is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 11 percent more Acura dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the ILX’s warranty.

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 ES doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

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

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 ES’ standard 55 series tires.

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

For better maneuverability, the ILX’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the ES’ (36.8 feet vs. 38 feet). The ILX’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the ES w/18-19” wheels’ (36.8 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Acura ILX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 650 pounds less than the Lexus ES.

The ILX is 1 foot, 1.7 inches shorter than the ES, making the ILX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The ILX’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

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 ES’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Insurance will cost less for the ILX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the ILX will cost $1335 to $8890 less than the ES over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ILX is less expensive to operate than the ES because it costs $291 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the ILX than the ES, including $48 less for a water pump, $166 less for a muffler, $22 less for front brake pads, $109 less for front struts, $1089 less for a timing belt/chain and $503 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura ILX will be $8336 to $15632 less than for the Lexus ES.