2023 Acura TLX vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged as a beacon of opportunity amidst the declining popularity of hatchbacks, as many automakers shifted focus to small crossover SUVs. Honda capitalized on this trend by redesigning the Civic hatchback, aiming to capture a significant portion of the remaining market share. Manufactured in Indiana, it was one of the few compact cars still produced in the U.S. The Civic hatchback shared its front design with the Civic sedan but distinguished itself with a unique grille pattern and wheel designs. Despite its stubby rear, the Civic hatchback offered a modern interior with sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, especially in the Sport Touring trim. However, the CVT shifter operation slightly detracted from its overall sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura TLX faced challenges due to the pandemic, supply chain constraints, and shifting consumer preferences towards SUVs. Despite these hurdles, the TLX stood out with its striking design, inspired by a concept vehicle that introduced a new design language to the brand. The TLX's long, low, and lean profile gave it a rear-wheel-drive look, though it was built on a front-wheel-drive platform. The interior featured a layered dashboard design, emphasizing width, but the control layout required some relearning. The TLX Type S, with its turbocharged V6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, was the most expensive version, offering a thrilling driving experience. However, the Electro Servo braking system, while innovative, sometimes fell short in delivering the desired braking response.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a range of performance options, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured a more energetic turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, providing a smooth driving experience, while the six-speed manual transmission in the Sport Touring trim offered a delightful driving experience for enthusiasts. The Civic hatchback excelled in fuel economy, with real-world testing nearly matching the official EPA estimates.

The 2023 Acura TLX, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX Type S took performance to the next level with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The Type S featured numerous enhancements, including a sport automatic transmission, performance-tuned suspension, and Brembo front calipers. The TLX Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. However, the Electro Servo braking system, while innovative, sometimes fell short in delivering the desired braking response.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, offering a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The interior provided comfortable seating for all passengers, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and both front seats were heated. The Civic hatchback featured black fabric seats in the LX and Sport trims, while the EX-L and Sport Touring trims offered black leather upholstery.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured a luxurious interior with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable, offering excellent comfort, while the rear seat was less accommodating due to limited legroom. The TLX's trunk held 13.5 cubic feet of cargo, more in line with a compact car. The interior design prioritized style over practicality, with a layered dashboard and narrow rear doors.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen display in the LX, Sport, and EX-L trims, and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring trim also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls addressed previous criticisms, and the voice recognition system worked beautifully.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system proved to be a source of frustration, with a 10.2-inch display that was not touch-sensitive. The TTI touchpad and buttons on the center console, along with steering wheel controls and voice recognition, were used to operate the system. The TLX offered standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with upgrades available depending on the trim level. However, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with Honda Sensing, a collection of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and engineering.

The 2023 Acura TLX featured AcuraWatch, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The TLX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. However, the TLX's lane-keeping systems sometimes struggled in certain lighting conditions.