2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Acura TLX

Reflecting on its proud history, the 2021 Honda Civic effortlessly showed why it continued to dominate the compact car segment. Every decade or so, Honda delivered a game-changing Civic model, starting with the iconic 1973 version and followed by milestone models in 1984, 1992, 2006, and a bold new look in 2016. This continuous innovation cycle underpinned Honda's market strategy, intent on setting the bar high for competitors.

By 2021, Honda was preparing to launch the redesigned 2022 Civic, hinting it would resemble a scaled-down Honda Accord more than a revolutionary new compact. Meanwhile, 2021 still offered various Civic formats: a four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback, and the high-performance Civic Type R. Conspicuously missing was the two-door coupe, while the Civic Si took a hiatus, removing the option for manual transmission in sedans.

For review purposes, the Civic sedan came in multiple trims: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, costing between $21,250 and $28,300, excluding the destination charge of $995. Our top-tier Touring test model, painted in stunning Cosmic Blue Metallic (an additional $395), totaled $29,690. This Competitive pricing intended to resonate with a wider audience accustomed to previous Civic iterations.

Despite mixed initial reactions to its design, with time, the Civic's styling gained broad acceptance. Touring trim's 18-inch wheels and the striking Cosmic Blue paint imbued a luxurious appeal, though perceptions varied depending on lighting and angles.

Interior-wise, the Civic's bold 2016 design began to show its age by 2021, particularly with its now modest 7-inch infotainment screen. Yet, it still displayed superior materials and innovative design choices, reinforcing its trend-setter reputation from the 10th-generation model.

The 2022 Acura TLX, with its bold stance, epitomized the look and feel of a larger luxury sedan. Acura drew inspiration from the slogan "Wider is Better," and it showed. Compared to its BMW 3 Series competitor, the TLX had a three-inch wider general footprint, boasting impressive track widths that enhanced stability and grip. Its sleek design featured sharp headlights, a distinctive five-sided grille, tailored V-shaped bumper curves, and prominent twin tailpipes, creating an unmistakable road presence. An additional nine inches in length over the 3 Series further cemented its substantial appearance.

The exclusive Type S added a unique touch with the Tiger Eye Pearl paint, while our test model in Performance Red Pearl looked equally stunning, enhanced by black trim pieces and aggressive 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The bold red brake calipers added a sporty flair.

Inside, the TLX offered a snug but high-quality environment. The low driving position complemented sporty aspirations, while detailed design elements like the Scandinavian-inspired LED lighting strips in the Advance package created a refined ambiance. The console’s touchpad interface required acclimatization, with a non-traditional approach eschewing a conventional touchscreen in favor of a novel method of interaction. The Type S models featured sporty touches such as faux-suede seat inserts and a flat-bottom steering wheel, aligning with the performance-oriented theme.

The 2021 Honda Civic presented multiple engine options based on the trim. LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, connected to a CVT driving the front wheels. While adequate, the true performance came from the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder standard in the EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. This engine delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, offering a lively driving experience with a broad torque band starting at 1,700 RPM.

Paired with 18-inch wheels in the Touring trim, the Civic Touring was agile and responsive, backed by its sophisticated independent suspension setup. However, the CVT transmission had its drawbacks, including a sloppy shift lever feel and drone, despite paddle shifters and a Sport mode.

Still, the Civic's fuel efficiency was remarkable. During testing, the Touring model achieved an impressive 34.8 MPG on a 140-mile loop, surpassing the EPA's combined estimate of 33 MPG.

Acura's 2022 TLX excelled in delivering sport-luxury performance with its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine. This powertrain produced a robust 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a refined 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX's powertrain seamlessly provided ample power for both daily driving and spirited jaunts while benefiting from Honda's extensive powertrain engineering expertise.

Optional Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) transformed the driving dynamics, offering torque variability at each rear wheel for improved stability and handling precision—especially useful during aggressive cornering. The system preemptively distributed torque to the outside rear wheel, enhancing traction without compromising braking efficiency.

The TLX Type S took performance up a notch with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and a hefty 354 pound-feet of torque at just 1,400 RPM. Track testing at Palmer Motorsports Park highlighted the TLX's prowess, particularly its double-wishbone front suspension and Pirelli P Zero summer tires that ensured maximum grip and control.

Despite the TLX's sports sedan aspirations, daily driving comfort was not sacrificed. However, the Type S's performance tires generated noticeable highway noise, while fuel economy figures stood at 19 MPG city, 24 MPG highway, and 21 MPG combined for the Type S, compared to higher efficiencies in the regular TLX.

The 2021 Civic sedan, despite its compact classification, provided ample interior space, drawing comparisons to midsize cars from a decade ago. However, its low seating position made ingress and egress more challenging, effectively encouraging passengers to "exercise."

Front-seat occupants enjoyed eight-way power-adjustable seating in most trims, with premium leather upholstery starting from EX-L. The spacious rear seats offered solid thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, although the lack of rear air vents was a notable drawback, especially on hotter days.

Practicality was a strong suit for the Civic, with a well-designed center console featuring abundant storage options, including large cupholders and a deep center bin. The trunk size was generous for its class, providing 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2022 TLX, while appearing substantial from the outside, offered a relatively compact interior for its size segment. Rear seat occupants had limited legroom but benefited from decent headroom thanks to the absence of a panoramic moonroof.

Front-seat comfort was enhanced by adjustable side bolsters and a thigh extension in the Type S, though the innovative touchpad interface for the infotainment system required an adjustment period. The trunk space was notably smaller at 13.5 cubic feet, less than the Civic despite the TLX's larger exterior, possibly due to the double-wishbone suspension setup.

Technologically, the 2021 Civic revealed its age, with basic features in the LX trim including a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a single USB port. The Sport trim provided a noticeable upgrade with a 7-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Higher trims such as the EX and Touring offered additional features like HD Radio, SiriusXM, navigation with voice recognition, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. However, the voice recognition system required precise commands, which could be frustrating, though the upgraded sound system and improved USB port power were appreciated.

The 2022 TLX's infotainment interface was both its strength and its challenge. While the system was quick, the small typefaces appeared challenging to read. The available head-up display in the Advance Package facilitated easier access to major driver-assist features.

Additional features, such as the 360-degree cameras, heated rear seats, and heated steering wheel, were limited to the Advance Package, necessitating difficult decisions for Type S buyers. The ELS Studio audio system impressed with its 17-speaker setup, while voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM came standard.

The Technology Package added innovative touches, integrating climate control with navigation to adjust settings based on sunlight intensity and direction. Plus, the AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features ensured semi-automated driving capabilities.

Honda's 2021 Civic came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additionally, automatic high-beams and a multi-angle reversing camera were part of its safety offerings.

For enhanced safety, the Civic introduced LaneWatch, which, while innovative, prompted some concerns due to its design limitations, focusing only on the right side mirror view and lacking rear cross-traffic alert.

Nonetheless, the 2021 Civic earned top safety marks, securing a Top Safety Pick from IIHS for Touring trim and a five-star rating across all NHTSA crash tests, affirming its status as a protective choice for families.

The 2022 Acura TLX excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included knee airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring.

More advanced safety features, such as a 360-degree camera system and additional airbag innovations, aimed to optimize occupant protection. The AcuraWatch system provided a suite of driver aids, ensuring confidence for both driver and passengers.