2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Acura TLX

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as luxurious as some of its competitors, offered a distinct and upscale style. It featured a new gloss-black upper grille, a revised lower bumper, and optional larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The sedan's silhouette was graceful, with a long hood that balanced the spacious cabin and short tail, highlighted by unique wraparound LED lights. The Touring model came with chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The introduction of the Honda Civic Sport trim brought a centre-mounted exhaust and some exterior flair reminiscent of the performance-oriented Si trim, but at a more affordable price.

The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, was a separate model, while the Coupe offered a more balanced alternative. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen for the tachometer and speedometer, a thin centre stack with minimal buttons, and clean lines. Despite its affordable starting price, the Civic's fit and finish felt high quality, with durable switchgear, buttons, and fabrics. The rear doors, however, had hard plastic surfaces compared to the padded ones up front.

The 2020 Acura TLX, following a design overhaul, presented a handsome yet somewhat anonymous appearance. The A-Spec option package enhanced its styling with 19-inch wheels, revised bumpers, side sill skirts, and oversized exhaust outlets. The TLX was available at a starting price of $37,490, with the SH-AWD powertrain and Technology Package recommended for added comfort, convenience, safety, and infotainment features. The SH-AWD with Technology and A-Spec package offered a sporty look for under $50,000, making it an attractive option for those seeking a stylish midsize sedan.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, available in the DX, LX, EX, and Sport sedans, as well as the LX and Sport coupes. In Canada, these models came standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The Touring models featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hatchback models exclusively used the turbocharged engine, delivering 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport trim. The Si and Type R models offered more power, with the Si boosting the 1.5-litre engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R producing 306 hp and 295 lb-ft from a re-engineered 2.0-litre engine. All Civic models were front-wheel drive.

The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were noted for their excellent clutch and shifter engagement, while the CVT impressed with its ability to simulate gear ratios without straining the engine. The Civic's handling was superb, with direct steering, a well-tuned suspension, and strong brakes, making it a joy to drive.

The 2020 Acura TLX offered two engine options: a 206-horsepower, 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for front-wheel drive models, and a 290-hp, 3.5-litre V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic for models equipped with the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The V6 engine provided a steady build-up of power, with peak torque of 267 pound-feet arriving at 4,500 rpm. The SH-AWD system enhanced the TLX's driving dynamics, allowing up to 70% of engine output to be directed to a single rear wheel, improving cornering performance.

The TLX's automatic transmission was well-behaved, with paddle shifters adding to the driving experience. The car's suspension and steering contributed to a solid and comfortable ride, with the TLX feeling firm but not too stiff on city streets and highways. The TLX returned a fuel consumption rate of 10.2 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, slightly below the expected 10.3 L/100 km.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, addressing previous usability issues. The three-spoke steering wheel allowed control of the central display, providing quick access to various functions. The rear seat offered ample space, with optional heated seats and passable head- and legroom for long trips. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 428 litres in the trunk, the coupe 343 litres, and the hatchback up to 1,308 litres with the rear seats folded. The centre console provided storage trays and a deep storage bin, while visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Acura TLX's interior exuded quality, with supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and plenty of room for occupants. Keyless entry was standard, with a heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers available. Rear seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air-conditioning vents, with heated rear cushions available. The trunk offered 405 litres of space, which was compact for a midsize sedan.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while dated compared to newer Honda models, offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout, with quick and accurate voice-based input. The 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring trim provided improved sound quality, and Honda's LaneWatch system offered a live feed of the blind spot on certain trims.

The 2020 Acura TLX's dual-screen infotainment system was criticized for its confusing layout, with the top display not being a touchscreen and the bottom display being touch-sensitive. The system's design caused distraction and frustration, though the Acura/ELS premium audio system was praised for its sound quality. The TLX offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with an optional on-board navigation system.

The 2019 Honda Civic came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard on all trims except the Si and Type R. This included forward-collision alert, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash test.

The 2020 Acura TLX, while not qualifying for a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, received 5-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came standard with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was available on all but the base model. However, the TLX's safety systems lacked the refinement and sophistication of more modern vehicles.