2023 Acura TLX vs 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2023 Acura TLX faced several challenges, including a consumer shift to SUVs, pandemic-related supply chain constraints, and fluctuating car prices. These factors made it difficult for Acura to offer attractive lease deals. Unlike some competitors, Acura did not flood rental fleets with its vehicles, making the TLX a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, tested in Southern California, featured a striking Tiger Eye Pearl paint job and a performance wheel and tire package, bringing its MSRP to $59,100, including destination charges.

The TLX's design was based on a concept vehicle, introducing a new design language for Acura. Despite its front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX had a rear-wheel-drive look, which compromised rear-seat room and cargo space. Inside, the TLX featured a layered dashboard design that emphasized width but sacrificed practicality. The control layout required drivers to relearn basic functions, causing unnecessary distractions. The Type S model, with a turbocharged V6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), was the most expensive version, while the base TLX with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive started at $41,045.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback, like Gwen from Seinfeld, had a dual personality depending on the angle, lighting, paint color, and wheels. The Sport Touring trim, with 18-inch alloy wheels and Boost Blue paint, mostly appealed to us, although the rear end appeared a bit stubby. The Sport Touring sat atop the Civic Hatchback lineup, which included the base LX, value-oriented Sport, and upscale EX-L. Base prices ranged from $24,950 to $31,450, with Boost Blue as an extra-cost paint color, bringing the Sport Touring's MSRP to $33,000.

Inside, the Civic Sport Touring justified its price with quality materials, elegant detailing, and the right amount of technology. The attention to detail was remarkable, especially the metal honeycomb mesh on the dashboard, knurled knobs for stereo volume and climate controls, and high-resolution digital instrumentation and infotainment screens. The Civic Hatchback's interior was a blend of sophistication and practicality, making it a compelling choice in its segment.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the trim and drivetrain, this engine achieved between 24 and 25 mpg in combined driving. The TLX featured multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The SH-AWD system, available on higher trims, provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing power, grip, and control.

The TLX Type S, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It featured a sport automatic transmission with rev-matching downshifts, performance-tuned suspension, and 14.3-inch front brake rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and had a top speed of 155 mph, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. Despite some issues with the brake-by-wire system, the Type S was a delight to drive, offering a fast, responsive, and enjoyable experience.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The Sport trim offered a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT with paddle shifters and a Sport driving mode. For more power, the EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The Sport Touring trim offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a CVT.

The Civic Sport Touring, with its CVT and 18-inch wheels, felt light, lively, and fun to drive. It added excitement to daily commutes and errands and was enjoyable on twisty roads. However, the Civic was loud on the highway, and the CVT occasionally produced high-rpm groaning. Depending on the trim, the Civic Hatchback achieved between 29 and 35 mpg in combined driving, with our test car averaging 30.2 mpg.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S offered interior color options in Ebony, Red, and Orchid, with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel featured analog gauges with low-contrast red markings, making them difficult to read. The 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats provided excellent comfort, but the rear seats were cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk offered 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more in line with a compact car.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback's EX-L and Sport Touring trims included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a power sunroof. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, while the rear seat was roomy enough for two adults or three kids. The Civic Hatchback provided 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly 10 cubic feet more than the Civic Sedan's trunk.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was 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 the steering wheel controls and voice recognition system, were used to operate the system. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to AcuraLink connected services. Higher trims offered wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and premium audio systems.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback's LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. The Sport Touring also included a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback featured Honda Sensing, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. However, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were only available on higher trims. The Civic Hatchback received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.