2023 Honda Accord vs 2023 Acura TLX

The 2023 Acura TLX faced challenges due to a shift in consumer preference towards SUVs, supply chain constraints, and fluctuating car prices. These factors made it difficult for Acura to offer attractive lease deals, unlike some competitors who offload vehicles into rental fleets. As a result, the TLX remained a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, with its striking Tiger Eye Pearl paint and performance enhancements, was priced at approximately $67,500 in Canada. The TLX's design, inspired by a concept vehicle, featured a long, low, and lean profile with a rear-wheel-drive appearance, though this impacted rear-seat space and cargo capacity. Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard emphasized style over practicality, with a control layout that required a learning curve.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord underwent a redesign, with the hybrid powertrain becoming standard on most trims, except for the base EX variant in Canada. The Accord EX was priced at $37,000, with additional fees bringing the total to $38,964. The new Accord adopted a more modern and conservative appearance, with a dark grille, LED headlights, and Canyon River Blue paint. Inside, the Accord EX featured durable cloth seats, metal mesh dashboard trim, and a digital instrument cluster paired with a touchscreen infotainment system. The Accord's interior was well-appointed for its price and class, offering a comfortable and refined experience.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The TLX's fuel economy was rated at 11.3 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.8 combined. The TLX Type S, the sportiest model, featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It included performance enhancements like a sport automatic transmission, adaptive suspension, and Brembo brakes. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and had a top speed of 250 km/h. However, the brake-by-wire system occasionally caused a mismatch between driver inputs and braking response, detracting from the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a CVT, which provided adequate performance for the 1,493-kilogram vehicle. The Accord's fuel economy was rated at 7.3 L/100 km combined, though our test car returned 8.2 L/100 km due to high temperatures and continuous air conditioning use. The Accord's suspension and steering offered a balanced and responsive driving experience, with excellent brake performance even in extreme heat. However, the Michelin Energy tires lacked grip during spirited driving, making the Sport or Touring trims with larger wheels and wider tires a better choice for enthusiasts.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured an Ebony interior with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable with heating and ventilation, providing excellent comfort. However, the rear seat was cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk offered 382 litres of cargo space, more akin to a compact car than a midsize model.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda Accord EX came with heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The Accord's rear seat offered ample legroom and easy access, though it lacked air conditioning vents and charging ports. The Accord's trunk provided a generous 473 litres of cargo space, with easy loading and a convenient handle for closing the lid.

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 system's layout proved distracting, and the TTI 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 lacked wireless smartphone integration.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX featured a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The EX trim came with an eight-speaker audio system, though it lacked SiriusXM. The Accord's physical controls for the stereo and main functions were user-friendly, though the tuning knob was misleading.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with a suite of driver aids, including 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 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 in a frontal collision.

The 2023 Honda Accord featured Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Accord also had a reversing camera, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2023.