2023 Acura TLX vs 2024 Subaru Impreza

The 2023 Acura TLX faced challenges due to the pandemic and supply chain constraints, making it a rare sight on the road. Despite these hurdles, the TLX Type S stood out with its sporty design, Tiger Eye Pearl paint, and performance upgrades, priced at approximately $67,500 in Canada. The TLX's design, inspired by a concept vehicle, featured a long, low, and lean profile with a rear-wheel-drive look, though this impacted rear-seat space and cargo capacity. Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard emphasized style over practicality, with a control layout that required adjustment.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza, in contrast, showcased a more aggressive and sporty style compared to its predecessor. The larger grille and narrower headlights gave it a serious look, while the RS trim added side skirts for a low-slung appearance. The Impreza's interior featured a modern design with an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, complemented by racy red stitching in the RS trim. The materials used were commendable, with soft-touch surfaces for the front passengers and durable hard plastics in the rear. The Impreza's design evolution focused on practicality and usability, with the infotainment system playing a significant role in the interior's appeal.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The TLX's fuel economy was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.8 combined. The Type S model featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, with enhancements like a sport automatic transmission, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and had a top speed of 250 km/h, though its fuel efficiency was less impressive.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque for the Convenience and Touring trims, and a 2.5-litre engine with 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque for the RS and Sport-tech models. Both engines were paired with a CVT, and all trims featured AWD with active torque vectoring. The RS model, the sportiest in the lineup, provided responsive acceleration and confident handling, aided by AWD. The Impreza's ride quality was comfortable, with reduced road noise compared to the previous generation, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured an Ebony interior with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable with heating and ventilation, while the rear seats were less accommodating due to narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk offered 382 litres of cargo space, more akin to a compact car.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza provided a spacious cabin with logically placed controls and excellent outward visibility. The RS trim included a wireless charging pad and ample storage options. The rear seats offered sufficient headroom and legroom, with a cargo area of 578 litres, expandable to 1,586 litres with the seatbacks folded. The Impreza's design catered to active lifestyles, with roof rack compatibility and practical features for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration, with a 10.2-inch display controlled by a touchpad and buttons. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. However, the lack of wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's 11.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons and physical controls for volume and temperature. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity available in all but the base trim. The RS and Sport-tech trims featured a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Impreza's infotainment system prioritized usability, with intuitive menus and smartphone app integration.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. 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.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The top trims added blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency steering. While crash-test results were not yet available, Subaru aimed for a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, and the Impreza's safety features performed well during testing.