2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Honda Civic

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan in a competitive class. It featured an assertive stance with a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler. The front end was bold, with a grille pattern radiating from the large Acura logo and horizontal “jewel eye” LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and high-quality paint added to its premium look. Inside, the TLX showcased high-quality materials and a well-organized dashboard. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was prominently placed, and the overall design exuded a sense of luxury and attention to detail.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic had a history of setting new standards in the compact car segment. The 10th-generation Civic, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, continued to impress. The Civic sedan, particularly in Touring trim with Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, had a polarizing design that some loved and others disliked. The interior, while not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing. The cabin was spacious, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, and the trunk offered ample cargo space.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available. The TLX offered an engaging driving experience, with drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire systems, electric power steering, and adaptive dampers in the Advance package. The car felt solid and balanced, with impressive handling and a sporty character, especially in Sport mode.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The EX, EX-L, and Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. While the turbocharged engine provided a spirited driving experience, the CVT was less satisfying, with a droning sound and ineffective paddle shifters. However, the Civic excelled in fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop.

The 2021 Acura TLX benefited from performance decisions that enhanced its form and function. The shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a streamlined center console with a mini touchpad for infotainment controls and ample storage space. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, and the trunk offered 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with available perforated Milano leather and heating/ventilation options.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan had a low seating position, making entry and exit a bit challenging. However, once inside, the seats were comfortable, with the driver’s seat offering eight-way power adjustment. The rear seats provided excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, though rear air conditioning vents were absent. The center console was highly practical, with ample storage space. The trunk was spacious, offering 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly reduced in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2021 Acura TLX was loaded with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting, a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, and a comprehensive infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package included a head-up display and a G-Meter and Turbo Boost Indicator on the instrument panel.

The 2021 Honda Civic’s technology was showing its age. The base LX trim had a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The voice recognition system in the Touring trim was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, ultra-high-strength steel front door stiffener rings, a full complement of airbags, and a multi-angle rear-view camera system. New for 2021 were a next-generation front-passenger airbag, passenger knee airbag, pedestrian sensing, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. The TLX had not yet been tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received high ratings.

The 2021 Honda Civic was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. The Civic also had automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera. The EX trim and above featured LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system. However, the Civic lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The 2021 Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS for the Touring trim and five-star ratings from NHTSA in all assessments.