The 2016 facelift changed more than the nose. Acura dropped the weaker combinations and standardized the ILX around the 201 hp 2.4 i-VTEC and 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox, turning it into a more coherent compact sedan than the early cars.
That makes service history even more important. A healthy facelift ILX should pull cleanly, shift without hesitation and stay composed over broken surfaces. Neglected city cars often show tired engine mounts, worn front brakes and front-end bushings that make the car feel older than it is.