2021 Acura TLX vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Acura TLX established itself as a sporty sedan in a crowded segment. Its bold appearance was marked by an assertive stance, a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front grille, which seemed to explode from the iconic Acura logo, along with the horizontally arrayed jewel eye LED headlights, added to its bold front fascia. At the rear, twin trapezoidal tailpipes completed its aggressive look, and the paint quality and tasteful hints of chrome and badging enhanced its premium appeal.

Inside, the TLX prioritized quality and attention to detail. Acura's "sport sedan cockpit" aptly described the interior with its driver-focused dash design, which clustered different functions neatly. Authentic materials were used throughout, from metal to leather to wood, ensuring a rich tactile experience. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was perfectly placed at the top of the center stack, seeming to float above the dash intentionally.

Conversely, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capitalize on the declining popularity of hatchbacks among competitors. It carried forward the new Civic sedan's front design but introduced a different grille pattern and unique wheel designs. From the rear quarter vantage point, it appeared balanced, resolving the visual weight distribution common in small hatchbacks. However, in profile, the Civic hatchback retained some of the stubby proportions typical of the body style.

Inside, it mirrored the Civic sedan's cabin design, with the Sport Touring trim adding advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The metal honeycomb dashboard details cleverly hid the air vents, and high-quality controls enhanced the Civic Hatchback's modern aesthetics. The cabin's only letdown was the slightly janky CVT shifter operation, which detracted from its overall sophistication.

Acura's entry into the premium sport sedan class with the 2021 TLX included a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. This powerhouse generated 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, complemented by a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, while Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) was optional. Offering 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models, and 21/29/24 mpg for AWD, the TLX balanced power with efficiency.

Sport mode best suited the TLX, taming turbo lag and enriching the exhaust note. Adaptive dampers in the Advance package further refined the ride. The TLX exhibited solid and balanced handling on various road surfaces, courtesy of its enhanced torsional stiffness and suspension mount rigidity. During our test drive in Michigan, only SH-AWD models were available, and they performed sprightly with excellent handling on suburban neighborhoods, backroads, and highways.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine choices. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT or a six-speed manual in the Sport trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring models upgraded to a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, with more accessible peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm.

All Civics were front-wheel drive, lacking the AWD option. The turbocharged engine paired well with the CVT, providing smooth acceleration without much drone. Paddle shifters and programmed ratios added a traditional feel to the CVT. Enthusiasts would appreciate the six-speed manual transmission in the Sport Touring trim, offering short throws and fluid gear engagement.

Despite its touring-focused suspension, the Civic Hatch provided a satisfying driving experience with good steering and braking feel. However, the all-season Continentals and brakes were not up to heavy-duty performance driving, as discovered on twisty roads near Malibu.

The shift-by-wire technology in the 2021 Acura TLX freed up the center console for a more ergonomic design, featuring a control panel modeled after the NSX for easy access. The spacious console housed infotainment controls, cupholders, and storage compartments efficiently. Front passengers enjoyed comfortable and adjustable sport bucket seats with optional Milano leather and heating/ventilation features. The rear seats, though less spacious, offered adequate comfort for short trips. A 60/40 split-folding second row expanded the 13.5 cubic feet trunk space, featuring a wide 47.6-inch opening and 42.4 inches of depth.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality with its generous 24.5 cubic feet cargo space and an innovative two-piece cargo shade. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats could potentially double this capacity. The back seat provided good overall comfort, though lacking seat height adjustability for the front passenger and air conditioning vents for rear passengers. The driver's seat boasted eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats offered heating. The material choice varied with trims, from fabric seats in the LX and Sport variants to leather in the EX-L and Sport Touring.

The 2021 Acura TLX showcased a blend of performance and convenience technologies. From Grade Logic Control to Shift Hold Control, the TLX's 10-speed automatic transmission used advanced tech to tailor driving dynamics without requiring driver intervention. Interiors were accentuated by customizable ambient lighting and the notable ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system, promising top-tier auditory experience with 710 watts of power.

Acura’s infotainment system included Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS text messaging, and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Advance Package's head-up display, compatible with polarized sunglasses, and sporty G-Meter and Turbo Boost Indicator enhanced driver engagement further.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback embraced a fresh infotainment system. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with wired smartphone integration, while the Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch screen with wireless capabilities, SiriusXM, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Addressing past criticisms, Honda included physical knobs for sound control and a steadying shelf for touchscreen operation. The digital instrumentation varied, with a 7-inch screen in lower trims and a comprehensive 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring.

The 2021 Acura TLX came equipped with the AcuraWatch suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety elements included an ACE body structure, pedestrian injury mitigation, and multiple airbags. The 2021 model introduced new features like a next-gen passenger airbag and traffic sign recognition. Optional safety tech comprised rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback included the Honda Sensing suite, an enhanced system offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features included low-speed following capabilities and Traffic Jam Assist, exclusive to CVT models. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings were only available in higher trims. All trims featured a rear-seat reminder, new frontal-impact airbags, and ACE engineering.

The Civic hatchback was rated as a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS, demonstrating its robust safety engineering, though the driver aids still had room for improvement in transparency.