2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Acura TLX

The 2020 Acura TLX, with its refreshed grille and nose, presented a more appealing design compared to its predecessors. Despite its somewhat anonymous appearance, the TLX became a handsome choice, especially when equipped with the A-Spec option package. This package added sporty visual enhancements such as 19-inch wheels, revised bumpers, side sill skirts, and oversized exhaust outlets, elevating the car's aesthetic appeal. The TLX was available at a starting MSRP of $37,490, excluding additional fees, but many recommended upgrading to the SH-AWD with the Technology and A-Spec packages for a more stylish and feature-rich experience.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic was celebrated as the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a range of body styles including sedan, coupe, and hatchback. The Civic's design was sharp and visually stimulating, with a svelte roofline and accentuated body panel creases. The sedan's elongated body and the hatchback's quirky rear design added to its charm. The Civic's exterior was praised for its stimulating appearance without any hint of cheapness. The 2019 updates, which included grille, bumper, and wheel enhancements, carried over to 2020, further refining the Civic's look. The interior featured a simple yet high-quality design, with soft-touch materials and pleasing aesthetics.

The 2020 Acura TLX offered two powertrain options. The front-wheel-drive models came with a 206-horsepower, 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The SH-AWD versions featured a more powerful 290-horsepower, 3.5-litre V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided a smooth power delivery, 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, providing a thrilling driving experience. The TLX's automatic transmission was well-behaved, and the car's handling was impressive without compromising ride quality. Fuel consumption was recorded at 10.2 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a variety of engine options across its lineup, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or a CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, producing 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, was standard on higher trims and offered better mid-range acceleration. The Civic Si featured a boosted 1.5-litre engine with 205 horsepower, while the Type R boasted 306 horsepower. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness. The Si's adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a joy to drive, despite some turbo lag. Fuel efficiency varied, with the Si rated at 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.8 combined.

The 2020 Acura TLX excelled in providing a comfortable and quality interior experience. The cabin featured supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and ample room for both driver and passengers. Keyless entry was standard, with options for a heated steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and available heated seats. However, the trunk space was limited to 405 litres, which was more in line with compact cars.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a well-thought-out interior with improved sound insulation and practical features like a volume knob and better cupholders. The driver's seat on the EX hatchback was eight-way power adjustable. The Civic's interior was roomy, especially for rear passengers, though it lacked rear air vents. The trunk space was generous, with the sedan offering 416 litres and the hatchback providing up to 1,302 litres with seats folded. The Civic's storage solutions were configurable, adding to its practicality.

The 2020 Acura TLX's infotainment system was criticized for its dual-screen setup, which was confusing and outdated. The top display was not a touchscreen, while the bottom one was, leading to frustration. The system lacked a tuning knob and had subpar voice recognition. Despite these issues, the Acura/ELS premium audio system and smartphone charger were appreciated, and the car offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was also considered outdated, with a slower interface and complex operation. However, it included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass the factory interface. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and came with a 450-watt stereo. LaneWatch, a camera system for blind-spot monitoring, was highly effective. The Civic also offered standard automatic climate control and Honda Sensing safety features.

The 2020 Acura TLX, while equipped with standard safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, showed its age in crash-test ratings. It did not qualify for a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test. However, it received 5-star ratings from the NHTSA in all categories. The safety systems, though effective, lacked the refinement of more modern vehicles.

The 2020 Honda Civic, equipped with Honda Sensing, included features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R, which wasn't tested. It received "Good" ratings in all crash tests and five stars from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test on the coupe.