2023 Acura Integra vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 Acura TLX stood out with its imposing stance and design. With dimensions broader and longer than many of its competitors, including a nine-inch advantage in length over the BMW 3 Series, it presented a dominant road presence. The aggressive fascia, marked by thin, sharp headlights flanking the five-sided grille, V-shaped front bumper curves, and prominent tailpipes, projected a substantial, sporty appeal. The Type S trim enhanced this with exclusive aesthetic touches, such as its unique Tiger Eye Pearl gold paint, and Performance Red Pearl hue that synergized beautifully with polished black accents and fiery red brake calipers. Although visually opulent on the outside, the TLX was snug inside. The narrow center console and detailed trim highlighted its luxurious yet compact interior. The Type S model took it further with faux-suede inserts, vibrant red stitching, and options like creamy white leather or flaming red leather seats, adding to its exotic flair.

Conversely, the 2023 Acura Integra embodied a cohesive design philosophy consistent with its automotive family, boasting a printed grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased lines paralleling the TLX and other Acura models. This modern Integra replaced the ILX, adopting a five-door liftback design to offer practicality alongside its compact proportions. The aesthetic nods to past Integra models, with embossments and a wide track contributing to its solid look, added a nostalgic yet contemporary touch. The A-Spec trims boosted its appearance with larger 18-inch Shark Gray wheels and additional sport-centric features like the decklid spoiler and dual exhaust outlets. Inside, while bearing some resemblance to its Honda Civic kin, it managed to carve out its unique luxury yet sporty ambiance, particularly shining with the A-Spec with Technology trim that featured microsuede upholstery, albeit at the cost of breathability.

The 2022 Acura TLX leveraged Honda's powertrain expertise to offer a lineup that could genuinely hustle. Its base 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine produced an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, smoothly managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional SH-AWD system elevated its handling, distributing torque preemptively to enhance cornering stability. The Type S trim distinguished itself with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque at just 1,400 rpm. This, combined with adaptive dampers, a double-wishbone front suspension, and Pirelli P Zero summer tires, made it track-ready.

The 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged engine for the first time, shared with the Honda Civic Si. Its 1.5-liter turbo-four generated 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, paired beautifully with a six-speed manual transmission featuring rev-matching technology. This combination ensured smooth and sporty gear changes, making the drive feel engaging and dynamic. Despite being front-wheel drive only, the Integra's firm suspension, wide track, and adaptive dampers in Sport mode contributed to exemplary handling through corners. The absence of all-wheel drive limited its foul-weather capability but did not detract from its performance prowess.

Despite its formidable external dimensions, the 2022 Acura TLX offered a relatively tight interior. The front seats, particularly in the Type S, were highly comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and a thigh extension. However, the rear seating area cramped legroom, making longer journeys less comfortable for taller passengers. As for cargo space, the TLX provided a modest 13.5 cubic feet, significantly less than expected for its size.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design significantly improved its practicality, offering 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the high lift-over height required for loading could be cumbersome, especially for heavy or bulky items. The front seats benefitted from a well-thought-out dashboard and storage layout, making everyday use convenient. The rear seats offered commendable legroom but fell short on headroom due to the steeply sloped roofline, impacting comfort for taller passengers.

The 2022 Acura TLX's infotainment system was straightforward yet initially challenging due to its unique touchpad interface. Display fonts were small, making readability a task. The head-up display, although excellent, was available only in the Advance Package, missing from the costlier Type S. Features like the ELS Studio audio system, voice recognition, and a suite of connected services came standard. The Technology Package added a climate control system synchronized with navigation for optimal comfort, upscale "Jewel Eye" LED headlights, and comprehensive driver assistance features.

The 2023 Acura Integra upgraded its base technology with the A-Spec with Technology trim, which included a 9-inch color touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a head-up display. This trim also introduced additional USB ports and the ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, renowned for its superior sound quality. The convenience of wireless charging paired with wireless smartphone integration created a seamless user experience. The base and A-Spec trims provided sufficient tech, but the top-tier trim propelled the Integra to a new technological benchmark.

The 2022 Acura TLX earned top safety accolades, including a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall score from the NHTSA, although it received four stars in the frontal passenger-side test. Standard safety features included knee airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a unique passenger airbag designed to reduce head injuries. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available in higher trims.

The 2023 Acura Integra raised the bar for standard safety equipment, offering many ADAS features across all trims. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, and traffic jam assist. Unique among its competitors, the Integra provided these features even with a manual transmission. The A-Spec with Technology trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors, enhancing its safety credentials.