2022 Acura TLX vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, despite its new eighth-generation design, retained a familiar look that might have been hard to distinguish from its predecessor for those not deeply familiar with Volkswagen's design language. The car was longer and lower, maintaining the same wheelbase, which contributed to a stable silhouette while preserving the nimbleness expected from a GTI. The styling was classic GTI, with a smooth hood, a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake, and the signature red accent line across the front. Aerodynamic enhancements were subtle, including redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling. The GTI came with red brake calipers and wheel sizes varying by trim, with a range of colours from staple shades to more vibrant options like Atlantic Blue Metallic and Pomelo Yellow Metallic for the Performance trim. Inside, the GTI featured plaid cloth seats on lower trims and Vienna leather on the Performance trim, with a classic golf-ball shifter knob for manual models.

The 2022 Acura TLX presented itself as a large luxury sedan with a wide and long stance, reminiscent of the 1990s Pontiac slogan "Wider is Better." It was significantly wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a longer body and a low-slung hood. The TLX's design included thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, creating a bold presence. The Type S variant added unique elements like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, 20-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels, and a rear diffuser. Inside, the TLX was snug, with impressive detailing and a Scandinavian-inspired vibe in upper trims. The seats were comfortable, especially in the Type S, which featured faux-suede inserts and red stitching. The TLX's interior was well-crafted, with a focus on quality materials and a sophisticated design.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, an updated version of the EA888, delivered peak horsepower at 5,000 rpm and torque at a low 1,750 rpm, making it a joy to drive on winding roads. The GTI offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG), both sending power to the front wheels. Fuel consumption was estimated at 9.3 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway with the automatic transmission. The GTI's handling was enhanced by a retuned suspension, electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential, and various drive modes. The top-tier Performance trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, allowing for precise handling adjustments.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, generating 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the TLX came standard with Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which improved stability and handling precision by varying torque at the rear wheels. The Type S variant boasted a 3.0-litre turbo V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, offering impressive performance on the track. The TLX's double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers contributed to its balanced and predictable handling. The Type S also featured Brembo front brakes and an active exhaust system, although the exhaust note was considered subdued. Fuel efficiency for the Type S was rated at 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.8 on the highway.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality, offering 564 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 977 litres with the seats folded. The driver-centric interior featured a centre stack angled towards the driver and a unique "light and sight" panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly generous, making the GTI suitable for family use.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight inside, especially in the rear seats, which suffered from limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with adjustable features in the Type S. The TLX's infotainment system used a true touchpad interface, which required acclimation. Trunk space was limited to 382 litres, less than a Honda Civic, due to the space taken up by the double-wishbone suspension.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge layouts and ambient lighting profiles. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen in the base trim and a 10-inch display with navigation in higher trims. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Performance trim offered a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. Volkswagen's Car-Net system provided remote access features.

The 2022 Acura TLX's infotainment interface was simple and quick, but some typefaces were small. The TLX offered a head-up display on the Platinum Elite trim, while heated rear seats were also limited to this trim. The ELS Studio premium audio system with 17 speakers was available on higher trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Acura's climate control system linked to navigation for automatic adjustments based on the sun's position.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI came equipped with Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic models. Park Distance Control was standard on all trims, with Park Assist available on the Performance trim. The GTI had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS and received a five-star overall score from NHTSA. It featured standard knee airbags, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were included on higher trims.