2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2023 Acura TLX

The 2023 Acura TLX faced several challenges, including a consumer shift towards SUVs and supply chain constraints that limited production. The pandemic-era redesign and fluctuating car prices, coupled with rising interest rates, made it difficult for Acura to offer attractive lease deals. Unlike some competitors, Acura did not rely on rental fleet sales, making the TLX a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, tested in Southern California, featured a striking Tiger Eye Pearl paint and a performance package, bringing its MSRP to $59,100.

Acura's design for the TLX was based on a concept vehicle, introducing a new design language. Despite its front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX boasted a rear-wheel-drive appearance with its long, low, and lean profile. However, the dramatic styling compromised rear-seat space and cargo capacity. Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard emphasized width but sacrificed practicality, with a control layout that required relearning. The Type S model, with its turbocharged V6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, was the most expensive TLX variant, while the base model offered a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a sporty version of the VW Golf, was only available as a five-door hatchback in the U.S. market. The GTI's styling was more expressive than its predecessor, featuring a wide-mouth grille, LED headlights, and a light strip on SE and Autobahn models. However, the low placement of these elements gave the car odd proportions. The 2024 model introduced a 380 special edition package for manual-transmission models, marking the end of the manual GTI. This package included gloss black 19-inch wheels, a black roof, and mirror caps.

The GTI's interior combined classic styling with modern tech features, including a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen. The front seats featured the GTI's signature plaid upholstery, and the shifter had golf-ball-like dimples. However, the steering wheel design seemed borrowed from the VW Atlas. The GTI's interior offered a blend of performance and practicality, with heated front seats, automatic climate control, and ambient lighting standard across all trims. SE and Autobahn models added a sunroof, keyless entry, and leather upholstery.

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, it achieved between 24 and 25 mpg in combined driving. The TLX featured an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The SH-AWD system, available on certain trims, provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing power, grip, and control.

The TLX Type S, the sportiest model, came with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It featured performance enhancements like a sport automatic transmission, adaptive dampers, and 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, based on the NSX sports car, sometimes reduced braking more than intended, affecting the driving experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI used a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It offered a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GTI featured a front-wheel-drive layout, with a standard electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and optional adaptive damping. The MQB architecture provided added strength and reduced weight, contributing to precise handling and a stable feel.

The GTI's driving experience was characterized by excess grip and well-tuned suspension, offering a mature feel for a hot hatch. It was quiet and comfortable, especially with the optional adaptive dampers. The GTI's powertrain response was linear, with no turbo lag, making it an excellent daily driver. However, it lacked the excitement of some competitors, with straight-line acceleration feeling nondramatic. The GTI balanced performance and everyday usability, making it a practical choice for real-life driving scenarios.

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 front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable, with heating and ventilation, but rear seat comfort was compromised due to narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk provided 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more akin to a compact car than a midsize model.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its hatchback body style, offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It provided more practicality than rival sedans like the Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra N. The GTI's passenger space was comparable to sport compact sedans, with slightly more second-row headroom but less first-row headroom. Standard features included heated front seats, automatic climate control, and ambient lighting, with SE and Autobahn models adding a sunroof and leather upholstery.

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 steering wheel controls and voice recognition, were used for operation. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with upgrades available depending on the trim level. However, the TLX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the TTI occupied valuable center console space.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the base S trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and Bluetooth. SE and Autobahn models had a 10-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was generally user-friendly, with only minor issues like delayed satellite radio information. The 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster offered four configurations, but the design was somewhat cheesy, and the fuel gauge was difficult to read.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features on higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility body structure and eight airbags contributed to its safety. The IIHS awarded the TLX a Top Safety Pick+ rating, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall crash-test rating.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI had not received full crash test results from the IIHS or NHTSA at press time. However, it received top "Good" scores in some tests, with headlights rated "Acceptable" or "Marginal." Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The GTI also featured Intelligent Crash Response and Emergency Assist on DSG-equipped models, enhancing safety in certain collision scenarios.