2023 Acura TLX vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan, available in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, presented a more mature and conservative design compared to its predecessor. The new model year Civic resembled the larger Accord sedan, offering a tailored and grown-up look that appealed to those who found the previous styling too bold. The interior of the Civic embraced simplicity, with a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. The dashboard featured a metal honeycomb mesh that elegantly concealed the air vents, and the improved interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a newfound maturity.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura TLX stood out with its dramatic styling, based on a concept vehicle that introduced a new design language to the brand. The TLX, despite its front-wheel-drive platform, boasted a rear-wheel-drive appearance with a long, low, and lean profile. However, this design choice compromised rear-seat headroom, legroom, and cargo space. Inside, the TLX featured a layered dashboard design emphasizing width, but the control layout prioritized style over practicality, causing some distraction. The TLX Type S, with its turbocharged V6 engine and performance enhancements, was the most expensive version, offering a sporty and eye-catching presence on the road.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options, both improved from the previous generation. The LX, EX, and Sport trims featured a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. This engine was adequate for everyday driving but paled in comparison to the turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine in the Touring trim, which delivered 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Step Shift programming, enhancing the driving experience by mimicking a traditional automatic. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, improving responsiveness and complementing the car's enjoyable ride and handling characteristics. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, averaging 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2023 Acura TLX, on the other hand, offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The TLX's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to choose from multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The Type S model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, along with performance enhancements such as a sport automatic transmission, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes. While the Type S was undeniably fun to drive, its brake-by-wire system occasionally caused a mismatch between driver inputs and braking response, detracting from the overall driving experience. The Type S averaged 11.8 L/100 km during testing, highlighting its less-than-stellar fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort, with redesigned front seats offering improved support. The Touring trim featured leather-lined seats with power adjustments for the driver, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic's low ground clearance made entry and exit challenging for some, but the back seat offered ample legroom. However, the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a notable oversight. The Civic's trunk provided generous cargo space, with 419 litres available, though the Touring trim's premium sound system components reduced it to 408 litres.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured a premium interior with Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The front sport seats offered 16-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, ensuring excellent comfort. However, the rear seat was cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk held 382 litres of cargo, more akin to a compact car than a midsize model. Despite its stylish design, the TLX's interior space was compromised by its dramatic exterior styling.

The 2022 Honda Civic impressed with its digital instrumentation and infotainment systems. The Touring trim featured a 10-inch display panel with greater customization and a Vehicle Activity display, ensuring drivers were aware of their lighting status. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the Touring trim offered a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system performed well, with voice recognition technology being a significant improvement over the previous generation.

The 2023 Acura TLX, however, faced criticism for its True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a touchpad and buttons, which proved distracting. The TTI occupied valuable centre console space, making it difficult to use the wireless smartphone charging pad. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system, but the lack of wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted an upgraded Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic also featured a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, replacing the outdated LaneWatch system. The car's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, ensuring drivers checked the back seat before leaving the vehicle.

The 2023 Acura TLX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Type S added rain-sensing wipers, a wiper de-icer system, and a surround-view camera. The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility (ACE) body structure and eight airbags contributed to its safety credentials. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though the front passenger's seating position received a four-star rating in frontal-impact collisions.