Unless you spend big and opt for some form of Lexus, combining affordable running costs with luxury is quite a tough balance to nail. High-end luxury cars tend to come with posher equipment, which can cost a fortune to repair if it goes wrong. In addition, vehicles like the Lexus LS 500 come loaded with a big and powerful engine, which not only costs a fortune to keep running due to being thirstier than smaller units, but also because they're more demanding to maintain and service.Not everyone has the budget needed to run a full-fat luxury machine, but that's where the Acura ILX comes in. For less than half the average cost of a brand-new car in the United States, you could have the Honda Civic-based sedan, which neatly combines dependability with a welcoming cabin. For those on a tighter budget, it could be the ideal option if you're looking to enjoy a touch of the high life every time you head out on the school run. Acura's Entry-Level Sedan Uses Trusty Fundamentals AcuraFrom the outset, the ILX makes sense as a budget luxury choice not just because of how cheaply you can buy them on the used market, but also due to its bones. The ILX is based on the ninth-generation Honda Civic Sedan, meaning the components it uses are cheaper and more readily available than many high-end luxury offerings. Acura's engineers made some key changes versus the Civic to ensure the ILX was a step above in terms of refinement though, with one of the best examples being a greater amount of high tensile steel being used throughout its revised body.The superior quality metal provided a stiffer and better-put-together feel on the road, not to mention reducing the amount of road noise that entered the cabin, while the sleeker body afforded the car a more upmarket look versus the more grocery-getter Civic. The ILX was also afforded an upgraded steering rack to improve smoothness, as well as an adaptive damper setup named "Amplitude Reactive Dampers", which presented a more versatile ride. Acura made just enough changes to the Civic's foundations to make it feel different and more luxurious, but without turning it into a unique machine that costs a fortune to keep running. The ILX Provides A More Performative Driving Experience AcuraThere was more to the ILX than some plushness-boosting engineering, too. Being an Acura, there was also a push to make the ILX a more entertaining drive, as opposed to simply more comfortable. The adaptive dampers are useful in this area, as they can stiffen up to provide a sportier ride when needed.The ILX also gets stiffer stabilizer bars to help further in this regard, while its multi-link suspension setup was finely tuned to provide a compliant, but also engaging handling balance. The ILX's wheelbase is also slightly shorter, which ensures the car is more agile when the time comes to change direction.Then we get to the engine. The ILX comes loaded with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter inline-four engine, which sends 201 horsepower to the front wheels. If you opt for the range-topping Civic Touring, you'll only be granted a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit, which has 174 hp on its books. The latter also forces you to make do with a less thrilling CVT transmission, whereas the ILX comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. If you're after a more driver-focused manual unit, you'd be better off opting for either the Acura Integra follow-up, or the Civic Si.Another thing to note is that, due to the NA engine found under the hood, the ILX can only muster up an average MPG of 28. This puts it well behind the Civic Touring, which can achieve 33 MPG on the average cycle. The Sleek ILX Offers Up A Nicer Cabin AcuraAcura went further than simply juicing up the Civic's underpinnings when designing the ILX. The model also provides a more sumptuous interior, with better-quality materials being used to give the ILX a more luxurious feel versus its cheaper sibling. Body-hugging leather seats are available in a range of colors, while an ebony headliner and graphite dash combo help to make the vehicle feel more expensive than a Civic. As it should.You also get more equipment, especially if you opt for higher-end trims like the Premium A-Spec. Aside from providing a more aggressive body kit and LED headlights, you'll also be graced with a convenient remote trunk release, as well as memory seats. In addition, the cabin is bathed in soothing ambient lighting, which exists to further separate the two models. It's not exactly a Mercedes-Benz, but the Acura makes you feel like you're in a higher-end environment than a standard Civic. You'll Have To Give Away Some Interior Space AcuraThere is one area you'll have to compromise on if you decide to spend your cash on an ILX: interior space. Despite retaining the same footprint as the Civic, the ILX's sleeker body means there is less space to enjoy within the vehicle's confines. While front headroom is slightly superior, there is less head- and legroom for rear passengers versus the Civic. The Civic's hatchback-style tailgate also provides more trunk space than the ILX's sedan-based design, with the former able to boast an extra couple of cubic feet of total cargo capacity.Ultimately, those after a practical daily driver will likely be better off opting for the Civic, especially given it's also more fuel efficient. If these elements aren't so far up your list, and you're more driven by having the finer things on a tighter budget, the ILX is a tantalizing prospect. A Used ILX Won't Cost The Earth To Buy In The First Place AcuraThe ILX was never the most expensive machine on the market, with even the higher-end trims being offered for comfortably under $35,000. Since the nameplate went out of production way back in 2022 though, depreciation has been at work to lower the values of used examples ever since.According to the CarBuzz Marketplace, the average value of a higher-end Premium A-Spec currently stands at just $22,228. This is a good couple of grand less than even a base brand-new Civic, which provides way less equipment, a fraction of the performance, as well as a more run-of-the-mill interior and exterior designs.As a general rule, spending this sort of money will get you a 2022 example with around 60,000 miles on the odometer, whereas spending a few grand less could secure you a higher-mileage specimen. If you can up your budget closer to $28k, you'll be able to secure an ILX with as few as 15,000 miles on the clock. Given the dependability of the model, that should afford you a machine that'll act as a loyal servant for years to come, especially if you look after it properly. An ILX Should Prove Light On Your Wallet Over Time AcuraThe beauty of the ILX is that, aside from being cheap to buy in the first place for a well-appointed modern car, it's also cheap to keep running sweetly. RepairPal reports that the car should only cost around $435 a year to keep well-maintained, and few common issues have been reported with the model thus far. The government-run National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports only the usual scattered problems, with the odd electrical and quality-based issues cropping up every now and again.The ILX is proving to be a straightforward and cheap car to run on an everyday basis, making it a great option for those looking to roll around in luxury, but without having to pay high-end prices for the privilege.At the same time, the ILX's sporty design and underpinnings mean it provides a fun driving experience when the mood takes you. Plus, its striking body has the tendency to catch your glance as you leave it behind, which is always a positive. If you're after the luxury lifestyle but don't want to part with most of your savings, the ILX is well worth consideration.