2023 Acura TLX vs 2024 Honda Civic

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 eye-catching Tiger Eye Pearl paint and a performance package, bringing its MSRP to $59,100.

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 had 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 started at $41,045.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si continued the legacy of compact, quick, fun, and affordable cars, a tradition started by the 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI. The Civic Si, a sport-injected version of the Civic sedan, offered more performance and driving engagement than other Civic models but not as much as the high-performance Civic Type R. The 2024 Civic Si featured LED headlights, a gloss-black lip spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and 18-inch matte-black wheels. Inside, it had red seat and door panel inserts, metal mesh trim, and a touchscreen infotainment system.

The Civic Si's base price was $29,100, with our test car's Blazing Orange Pearl paint adding $455, bringing the MSRP to $30,650. The Civic Si's interior was more expressive, with red accents and stitching throughout the cabin. It featured a metal mesh strip hiding the dashboard air vents, gloss black surfaces, polished metal detailing, and simple digital instrumentation. The metal pedal covers and aluminum shift knob added a high-quality touch.

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 mpg 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 with the A-Spec Package and standard on the TLX Advance and Type S models, provided mechanical torque vectoring.

The TLX Type S, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, produced 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 front 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. However, the brake-by-wire system proved less satisfying on twisty roads, causing a mismatch between driver inputs and braking response.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si featured a high-output version of the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. It paired with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with a downshift rev-matching feature. The drivetrain included a single-mass lightweight flywheel and a helical limited-slip differential. The Civic Si had larger brakes, thicker suspension stabilizer bars, and an Si-only dual-pinion variable-ratio steering system. The test car's 18-inch wheels wore 235/50 Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires.

The Civic Si's powertrain and driving modes, including Normal, Sport, and Individual, adjusted throttle response and steering effort levels. The Civic Si was docile in urban settings, with a firm but connected suspension. On the highway, it provided good passing power but was noisy inside. The Civic Si excelled on twisty roads like Mulholland Highway, with excellent steering, tenacious grip, and smooth engine performance. However, the braking system showed signs of overheating during hot testing weather, causing a vibration. The EPA estimated the Civic Si's fuel economy at 31 mpg in combined driving, with our test averaging 29.5 mpg.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S offered interior colors in Ebony, Red, and Orchid, with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel had analog gauges with low-contrast red markings, making them hard to read. The 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats included adjustable thigh support and upper-side bolsters, with automatic heating and ventilation. However, the rear seat was cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk held 13.5 cubic feet of cargo, more in line with a compact car.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si balanced practicality and performance. It had sport-bolstered front seats wrapped in cloth, with a manual driver’s seat height adjuster. The Civic Si's low stance made entry and exit challenging, and more seat-track travel and padding on the center console would enhance comfort. Standard features included single-zone automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, and a power sunroof. However, it lacked heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear-seat air conditioning vents and USB charging ports.

The Civic Si's back seat was surprisingly roomy, with a high, supportive cushion and generous legroom. Storage space for the driver and front passenger was generous, though the bin under the center armrest was small. The Civic Si's cargo space was commendable at 14.4 cubic feet, with the ability to stow full-size suitcases on their sides. A 60/40-split folding back seat allowed for longer items, and there was hidden storage under the trunk floor.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a touchpad and buttons on the center console, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The TTI's one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and display proved distracting. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to AcuraLink connected services. The TLX did not support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system sounded terrific.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, lacking a native navigation system but including Bluetooth, text-messaging support, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and HondaLink connected services. Pairing an iPhone 13 Pro and using wireless Apple CarPlay was easy. The infotainment system had a knob for stereo power and volume, buttons for tuning radio stations, and a Back button. The 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint premium audio system sounded impressive, thanks to early involvement from the audio component company in the Civic's interior design.

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, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors. The Type S included rain-sensing wipers and a wiper de-icer system. The TLX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had a driver monitoring system, traffic sign recognition, and a rear seat reminder system. However, the lane-keeping assist and lane-centering assist proved irksome, and the adaptive cruise control was not very responsive. The 2023 Civic sedan earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.