2021 Acura TLX vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan that stood out in a crowded class. Its assertive stance was highlighted by a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front featured a bold grille pattern radiating from the central Acura logo, flanked by horizontal "jewel eye" LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes added to its sporty appeal. The paint quality was exceptional, with tasteful badging and chrome accents enhancing its premium look. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with a well-organized dash and authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, giving the interior a cohesive and visually appealing design.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and mature design, reminiscent of the larger Accord sedan. The new model year brought a tailored look, appealing to those who found the previous Civic's styling too bold. Inside, Honda returned to simplicity with a minimalistic layout. The dashboard featured a metal honeycomb mesh to conceal air vents, and the materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a newfound maturity. The Civic's interior was designed for comfort, with improved materials and a focus on practicality, making it a more grown-up choice in the compact sedan segment.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a newly developed 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, providing excellent traction and handling. The TLX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX boasted improved torsional stiffness and rigidity, contributing to its nimble and balanced handling. Fuel consumption was estimated at 11.2 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 L/100 km on the highway.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and Sport trims featured a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The Touring trim came with a more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. The Civic's improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning provided a fun and engaging driving experience. However, the Civic Touring's fuel consumption was slightly higher than expected, at 7.7 L/100 km compared to the estimated 6.9 L/100 km.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined centre console design, featuring a control panel inspired by the NSX. The console housed a mini touchpad for infotainment control, along with cupholders and storage cubbies. The rear seat offered comfortable seating for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front sport bucket seats were available with Ultrasuede or leather, offering power adjustability and heating. The trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering excellent support. The Touring trim featured a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front and rear seats. The Civic's low stance made entry and exit challenging for some, but the rear seat offered ample legroom. The new centre console design sacrificed some storage space for more accessible cupholders. The trunk offered 419 litres of cargo space, slightly reduced in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system. A split-folding backseat added utility, and a small handle on the trunk lid facilitated closing.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD systems. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control for optimized performance. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting themes and an impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade added a head-up display and a G-Metre and Turbo Boost Indicator on the instrument panel.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel. The Vehicle Activity display provided real-time feedback on lighting and signalling. The standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a navigation system. The Civic's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a ledge for hand stabilization and improved voice recognition technology.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included 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.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite with Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs offered enhanced head protection. A rear-seat reminder system was standard across all trims.