Honda Civic Hatchback vs Acura TLX

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback resembled a chameleon in its visual appeal. Much like the complex character of Gwen in the Seinfeld episode “The Strike,” this vehicle's aesthetic varied dramatically based on viewing angle, lighting, paint color, and wheel design. In its favorable configurations, such as in the Sport Touring trim with attractive 18-inch alloy wheels and the vibrant Boost Blue paint, the Civic Hatchback exuded a sporty and captivating exterior. However, its rear-end design still came off as somewhat stubby to many eyes despite the otherwise delightful and balanced overall styling.

Sport Touring was the premium trim level in the Civic Hatchback lineup, which included the base LX, the value-centric Sport, and the more refined EX-L with leather upholstery. Prices ranged from $24,950 to $31,450, excluding the $1,095 destination charge, and the Boost Blue paint added another layer of cost, setting the final MSRP of the Sport Touring test vehicle at $33,000.

On the inside, the Civic Sport Touring model impressed with its high-quality materials, refined detailing, and a thoughtful dose of technology. The metal honeycomb mesh decorating the dashboard, the knurled knobs for stereo volume and climate controls, and the clear and bright digital display panels significantly justified the higher price.

In contrast, the 2024 Acura TLX, refreshed just three years after its 2021 redesign, carried subtle yet effective updates. The most noticeable change was the removal of the frame around the front grille and the large, rectangular radar emitter, giving the new frameless grille a more open and elegant appearance. This model retained its Jewel Eye LED headlights flanked by gaping air intakes, and its body continued to reflect Acura's restrained use of character lines.

The TLX also showcased various trim levels with distinctive names such as Technology Package, A-Spec Package, and the top-tier Type S. The last "base" TLX model dropped off the lineup, leaving the Technology Package as the entry-level option with a starting price of $46,195, inclusive of the destination charge. Outside designs included 19-inch wheels on lower trims, while the Type S flaunted 20-inch Berlina black split-spoke wheels with Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires.

On the inside, the TLX continued to embody the luxury sedan persona with leather upholstery across all trims and standard heated front seats, advancing to include ventilation features in the A-Spec and Type S packages. The TLX Type S further highlighted its performance identity with red leather upholstery and other sport-centric details.

The performance spectrum of the 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback varied widely with its two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 158 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 138 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm, necessitating higher revs to reach peak power. Those who preferred more control could opt for a six-speed manual gearbox, available with the Sport trim, instead of the standard continuously variable transmission (CVT).

For enthusiasts seeking better performance without escalating to the Civic Si sedan or Civic Type R hatch, the EX-L and Sport Touring trims provided a more potent turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine offered a respectable 180 hp at 6,000 rpm and 177 lb-ft of torque between 1,700 rpm and 4,500 rpm. While the EX-L trim came exclusively with a CVT, the Sport Touring allowed drivers to choose between the CVT and a six-speed manual transmission. The latter provided a more engaging driving experience, though the CVT performed adequately with the turbo engine's torque range.

The Civic Sport Touring, our test model, housed the CVT alongside 18-inch wheels with 235/40 Continental ContiPro Contact all-season tires, contributing to a lively and enjoyable driving experience despite some high-rpm groaning during aggressive acceleration. The Civic was delightful in various driving scenarios, from daily commuting to spirited drives on twisty roads. However, the cabin's noise level on the highway was a noticeable drawback. Fuel efficiency varied from 29 to 35 mpg in combined driving, with our test car achieving 35 mpg under ideal conditions and averaging 30.2 mpg on our evaluation loop.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Acura TLX offered a more powerful engine lineup starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the Technology and A-Spec trims. This engine produced a robust 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, channeled through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels in the Technology Package or to all four wheels through Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system in the A-Spec trim. The SH-AWD system could distribute 70% of the engine's power to the rear axle and up to 100% to either of the rear wheels, optimizing for tarmac performance.

For those desiring peak performance, the TLX Type S came equipped with a potent turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. This powerplant generated an impressive 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, accessible as early as 1,400 rpm, resulting in rapid acceleration. The TLX Type S could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds, and while some German rivals boasted faster times, the TLX performed admirably in real-world conditions.

The TLX Type S's handling benefited from adaptive dampers, robust stabilizers, and Brembo brake calipers, ensuring a well-balanced driving experience despite its heavier weight. Various drive modes, from Comfort to Sport+, allowed drivers to fine-tune the suspension, steering, and throttle response to their liking.

Upgrading to the EX-L or Sport Touring trims of the 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback brought several desirable features, including 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, and the rear center armrest added further comfort. Our test car featured an exceptionally comfortable power driver’s seat with a flexible tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, ensuring a perfect driving position for extended trips. However, the front passenger's seat lacked height adjustment, which could have added to overall comfort.

The Civic Hatchback’s rear seat was spacious enough for two adults or three children and included a couple of 2.5-amp USB quick-charge ports in the Sport Touring trim, though it lacked air conditioning vents. Cargo-wise, the Civic Hatchback offered 24.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, almost ten cubic feet more than its sedan counterpart. While the exact cargo capacity with seats folded was not specified, it effectively doubled the available space.

The 2024 Acura TLX presented a more complicated spatial proposition. At 194.6 inches in length, it aligned closer to midsize sedans like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but its 113-inch wheelbase brought it into compact sedan territory similar to the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Inside, the front seats offered ample space, akin to luxury compact sedans, while the rear seats provided 34.9 inches of legroom, just a bit less than a BMW 3 Series.

When it came to cargo space, the TLX provided 13.5 cubic feet in its trunk, suitable for a compact sedan but falling short of midsize competitors. This classification challenge was partly due to the TLX’s long hood, which added to its visual appeal but limited practical interior space.

The happiest occupant in a TLX was certainly the driver, benefiting from supportive front seats, conveniently located cupholders, and an ergonomic steering wheel.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback's technological landscape evolved significantly with the trim levels. The base LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which felt basic compared to competitors like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla Hatchback. However, the Sport Touring trim significantly improved the tech experience with a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adding vibrant colors, superior graphics, and a sophisticated touch to the cabin. This trim also included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, a navigation system, and wireless smartphone charging. An impressive 12-speaker Bose premium sound system rounded out the audio experience. Pairing an iPhone, running Apple CarPlay, or using the voice-recognition system was seamless and accurate.

The tech in the 2024 Acura TLX consisted of both good and bad elements. All models received an ELS Studio premium audio system, with the A-Spec and Type S trims upgrading to a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D system, one of the best in the segment. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a wireless charging pad. New for 2024, the TLX also integrated Amazon Alexa.

The Acura TLX featured dual 12.3-inch displays—one for the driver’s gauge cluster and one for the central infotainment screen. Both provided crisp, responsive graphics, and the gauge cluster allowed for light customization. However, the center display was controlled by Acura's True Touchpad Interface (TTI), a sophisticated yet divisive device that operated with one-to-one positioning relative to the screen. This interface proved challenging, particularly for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, transforming the TTI into a less efficient swiping device which proved frustrating and potentially unsafe.

Every 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback came standard with Honda Sensing, an array of advanced driving assistance systems. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist with low-speed follow (CVT only), automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a traffic sign recognition system. However, blind-spot warning was only available in the more expensive EX-L and Sport Touring trims, and only the Sport Touring included a rear cross-traffic alert system and front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking.

The Honda Sensing technology was generally refined, accurate, and well-executed. It managed various road conditions effectively, though adaptive cruise control operated sluggishly, and occasional unnecessary emergency braking was noted. The Civic Hatchback earned top safety scores, with the IIHS granting "Good" ratings in nearly all tests, except for an “Acceptable” in the updated side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall crashworthiness rating.

The 2024 Acura TLX, while having a complex infotainment system, excelled in safety. Acura equipped every TLX with a robust suite of ADAS under the AcuraWatch banner. This consisted of automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, rear cross-traffic monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. The blind-spot monitoring system was upgraded for 2024, including lane-change alert, and the front camera and radar offered a wider view.

The TLX maintained its impressive safety reputation with an overall five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA. While the IIHS had not yet announced the 2024 model as a Top Safety Pick+, the TLX previously achieved that honor in 2022, boasting "Good" scores in all tests.