2022 Acura TLX vs 2023 Nissan Versa

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger luxury sedan. It was notably wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a track width nearly three inches wider at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a V-shaped front bumper, giving it a substantial yet sleek appearance. The Type S variant added unique elements like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The interior, though snug, boasted impressive detailing, with upper trims offering a Scandinavian lounge vibe through LED strips and light matte wood.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Versa borrowed design cues from its larger siblings, the Sentra and Altima. It featured a prominent V-Motion grille and a sleek profile, making it look more upscale than a typical economy car. The Versa received styling updates for 2023, including a new front end and wheel design for the SR model. The interior showcased creativity with large round air vents and an elaborate dashboard. While most materials were plastic, the fit and finish were commendable. The SR trim added red stitching and upholstery inserts, along with convenience features like heated front seats and automatic climate control.

The 2022 Acura TLX offered robust performance across its lineup. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX could be upgraded to Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for an additional $2000, enhancing stability and handling precision. The Type S variant boasted a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, while not performance-oriented, provided satisfactory driving dynamics. All models featured a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. The base Versa S came with a five-speed manual transmission, while higher trims offered a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Versa exhibited notable grip and responsive steering, despite significant body roll in corners. It delivered a comfortable ride, with the suspension effectively absorbing bumps and potholes. The Versa felt more substantial than typical subcompact cars, offering a refined driving experience.

Inside, the 2022 Acura TLX felt tight for four passengers, with the back seat suffering from limited legroom. The front seats, however, were comfortable, featuring adjustable side bolsters and a thigh extension in the Type S. The driving position was low, and controls were well-marked. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. Trunk space was mediocre at 13.5 cubic feet, less than a Honda Civic, partly due to the double-wishbone suspension.

The 2023 Nissan Versa, available only as a sedan, offered 14.7 cubic feet of trunk space in the base S trim and 15 cubic feet in SV and SR trims. This was more than competitors like the Kia Rio and Mitsubishi Mirage G4. The front seats provided ample headroom and legroom, though rear-seat space was less generous. The front row felt spacious, with good outward visibility. However, storage for small items was limited, and the center console bin was small. The shifter's raised platform looked cool but wasn't the best use of space.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included in the Type S, along with standard voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights and a full suite of driver assistance features.

The 2023 Nissan Versa's base S trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, three USB ports, and keyless entry. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the S Plus Package or higher trims. The SV trim added a 7-inch driver information display and a wireless phone charging pad, while the SR trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and NissanConnect Services. Despite the tech features, the touchscreens were small, and the graphics on the 8-inch screen looked outdated. The digital instrument cluster display added a touch of sophistication.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included in the Technology Package and higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Versa excelled in standard driver-assist tech, with automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning on the base S trim. The SV added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SR included adaptive cruise control. The NHTSA awarded the Versa a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side-impact crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover categories.