Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Acura TLX

The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI was introduced for the 2022 model year and enters 2024 essentially unchanged. The main news is that 2024 marks the last year a manual transmission will be available in this classic hot hatchback. Volkswagen is making a 380 special edition package standard on all stick-shift GTIs to commemorate that. A more substantial update is expected for the 2025 model year.

Verdict: The GTI is a great all-rounder held back by poor interior design choices and a staid personality.

The 2024 Acura TLX introduces a handsome new grille and some bigger screens, but it retains the same chassis and powertrains as the 2023 model. Available with either a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a turbo V6 in the speedy Type S trim, the TLX puts performance first, practicality second.

Verdict: It’s weirdly sized, looking like a midsize sedan on the outside but feeling like a compact sedan on the inside, but the TLX is an excellent performer. Overall, it’s a great choice for shoppers looking to buy a sports sedan on a budget.