2023 Acura TLX vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its current generation launched in 2019, aimed to shake off Toyota's reputation for blandness with its bold exterior design. Featuring scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, the Corolla attempted to stand out, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. Different trim levels offered varied styling elements, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Edition added blacked-out trim. The Apex Edition, with its subtle body kit and model-specific 18-inch wheels, made a statement in Cement Grey, appealing to those seeking more than just basic transportation. Inside, the Corolla's interior was simple yet appealing, though the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition shared its interior with the standard SE, featuring light grey upholstery that seemed susceptible to stains.

The 2023 Acura TLX, redesigned for the 2021 model year, faced challenges due to the pandemic and supply chain constraints, making it a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, with its striking Tiger Eye Pearl paint and performance upgrades, commanded attention. Priced at approximately $67,500 in Canada, it was based on a concept vehicle that introduced a new design language to Acura. Despite its front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX boasted a rear-wheel-drive look, though its dramatic styling compromised rear-seat headroom, legroom, and cargo space. Inside, the TLX featured a layered dashboard design prioritizing style over practicality, with a control layout that required acclimatization. The Type S model, equipped with a turbocharged V6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), was the most expensive TLX variant, offering a thrilling driving experience with its performance enhancements.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options, with the L, LE, and XLE models featuring a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models upgraded to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, with the Apex Edition adding a sport exhaust system. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-litre engine offered a six-speed manual gearbox with rev matching or a CVT with paddle shifters. All Corollas were front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive expected in the 2023 model year. The SE Apex Edition, with its manual transmission and sportier suspension, provided nimble handling, though the ride quality was stiffer. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Apex Edition lacked significant performance upgrades, making it more fun in corners than the standard Corolla but not a full-fledged performance model.

The 2023 Acura TLX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a paddle-shifted 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The TLX offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The SH-AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing power, grip, and control. The Type S model, with its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, offered a thrilling driving experience with performance-tuned suspension, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. Despite its performance prowess, the TLX Type S's brake-by-wire system occasionally caused a disconnect between driver inputs and braking response, though the car remained a delight to drive with its fast acceleration and excellent handling.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered headroom and legroom similar to the Honda Civic, with a low beltline aiding outward visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard limited forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, though long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 371 litres of cargo space fell short of competitors like the Civic and Sentra, but a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured an Ebony interior with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel and analog gauges with brushed metal backgrounds added to the sporty feel, though the low-contrast red markings were challenging to read. The TLX's 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats offered excellent comfort, but the rear seat was cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk held 382 litres of cargo, more akin to a compact car than a midsize model, but a flat trunk floor and enclosed hinges maximized usability.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on the base model and an 8-inch touchscreen on other trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM were standard, with a nine-speaker JBL audio system on the XSE and XLE. The interface was user-friendly, but tasks like selecting a radio station were less intuitive. The graphics appeared dated, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were unavailable. The Corolla lacked novel tech features like the Hyundai Elantra's Digital Key.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration, with a 10.2-inch display controlled by a touchpad, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The TTI's one-to-one relationship with the display screen proved distracting, and the system occupied valuable centre console space. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, a wireless charging pad, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. However, the TLX did not support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the TTI's design hindered usability.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It featured eight airbags and standard driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was standard from the LE trim.

The 2023 Acura TLX came with standard driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Type S added rain-sensing wipers, a wiper de-icer, and a surround-view camera. The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility body structure and eight airbags contributed to its safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.