Acura gives 2016 ILX a luxury makeover

Small seems to be the trend for cars, and Acura is giving small cars a luxury makeover with its 2016 ILX.

The second generation car has an extra dose of style and it mimics the design theme of the larger TLX, which was introduced last year.

The ILX also features an extra dose of technology, which is something buyers of premium cars typically want. An option on the car is what Acura calls "Acura Watch." It is basically a suite of safety features to help keep drivers out of trouble. It comes with blind spot assist and collision avoidance features.

It isn't a huge secret that the ILX is based on the Honda Civic, but Acura's designers and engineers did a good job of hiding that fact when compared to the previous ILX, especially with the interior.

Acura is no stranger to making premium small cars that stand out from the Honda side of the family. When Acura was launched in the mid-1980s, one of the company's first two models was the Integra, which was popular for years.

Today, small premium sedans are offered from European brands such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz, but Acura offers a different take on the segment.

The ILX comes with a really smooth four-cylinder engine that is just over 200 horsepower.

It also has decent fuel economy, with 29 miles per gallon combined on the EPA cycle, though premium fuel is required.

The ILX also has one transmission, an eight-speed dual clutch automatic that has a select sport mode. It also shifts almost like a manual car when driving in a spirited fashion.

The 2016 Acura ILX has all the bells and whistles and a big dose of style. Buyers who want a combination of trim size and big features may find this newest premium sedan to be a nice fit.