2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Acura TLX

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a blend of affordability and engineering excellence that was often compared to higher-end brands like BMW. It was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elongated, elegant body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a slightly quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with wide, arcing headlights and sweeping LED taillights that accentuated its low and wide stance. The 2020 model carried over the grille, bumper, and wheel upgrades from the previous year, with additional enhancements on the Si sedan and coupe, including matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED lighting options. Inside, the Civic boasted a simple yet high-quality interior, with soft-touch materials and a pleasing design. The 2020 updates included new dash accents and revised sport seats for the Si model.

The 2021 Acura TLX was a sporty sedan with a bold and assertive design. Its styling was characterized by a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler, giving it a dynamic appearance. The front grille, with its exploding pattern from the central Acura logo, and the jewel eye LED headlights added to its aggressive look. The TLX's paint quality and tasteful chrome accents enhanced its premium feel. Inside, the TLX offered a driver-focused "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood. The dash was well-organized, and the 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed for easy access. The interior exuded quality, with tight gaps and a cohesive design. The TLX's attention to detail and premium materials made it a standout in its class.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or an optional CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, available on higher trims, delivered 174 to 180 horsepower, depending on the model. The Civic Si featured a boosted 1.5-litre engine with 205 horsepower, while the Type R boasted an impressive 306 horsepower. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the manual transmission offering a particularly engaging driving experience. The Si and Type R models came with adaptive dampers and sportier handling, making them a thrill to drive. Fuel efficiency was generally good, with most models achieving around 8.0 L/100 km in the city and as low as 6.0 L/100 km on the highway.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire technology. The TLX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was standard in Canada, enhancing its sporty performance. The TLX offered multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the car's dynamics to their preferences. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for further customization. The TLX's handling was nimble and balanced, with improved torsional stiffness and rigidity. Fuel consumption was estimated at 11.2 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 L/100 km on the highway. The TLX's performance was characterized by its solid feel and engaging driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a practical and spacious interior, with improvements like a volume knob and better cupholders. The hatchback featured additional sound insulation, and the EX hatchback had an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The Civic's steering wheel controls and conventional shifter made for an intuitive driving experience. The centre console provided ample storage, with configurable cupholders and a deep storage bin. Rear passengers enjoyed generous space, although rear air vents were absent. The sedan's trunk offered 416 litres of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 728 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,302 litres with them folded down.

The 2021 Acura TLX's design choices, such as the shift-by-wire transmission, allowed for a reimagined centre console. The transmission controls were integrated into the centre stack, freeing up space for a mini touchpad and cupholders. The TLX's interior featured comfortable sport bucket seats with power adjustability and available Ultrasuede or leather inserts. The rear seat accommodated two adults comfortably, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The trunk offered 382 litres of cargo space, with a wide opening for easy loading. The TLX's interior was designed for both comfort and functionality, with thoughtful storage solutions and premium materials.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a slower interface and complex controls. 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 a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. Standard features included push-button start, keyless entry, and heated front seats. The LaneWatch system provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety. Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, was standard on all trims.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, both for performance and comfort. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured advanced controls like Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting with customizable themes. The ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system, available on higher trims, delivered exceptional sound quality. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade added a head-up display and a G-Metre. The TLX's technology enhanced both the driving experience and occupant enjoyment.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, with a four-star rating for the passenger frontal crash test on the coupe.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also had a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a full complement of airbags. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for the front passenger side crash test.