2023 Acura TLX vs 2024 Toyota Prius

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, and unlike some competitors, Acura did not resort to selling its vehicles to rental fleets. This made the TLX a rare sight on the roads. 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 it compromised rear-seat space and cargo capacity. Inside, the TLX's layered dashboard emphasized style over practicality, with a control layout that required drivers to adapt to new systems.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Prius retained its iconic wedge-shaped profile but introduced more appealing styling with aerodynamically optimized bodywork and attractive 19-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Prius maintained its quirky character, with instrumentation moved in front of the driver, though visibility could be compromised depending on seating position. The interior featured hard plastics, leading to creaks and a flimsy feel, though durability was expected in line with Toyota's reputation. The 2024 Prius continued with the same design as the previous year, available in XLE and Limited trims, with prices ranging from $40,645 to $46,785 in Canada. The U.S.-spec XLE test vehicle included options like Supersonic Red paint, though some features were exclusive to the Limited model in Canada.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. It achieved a fuel economy of 11.3 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.8 combined. The TLX featured 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 boasted a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, along with performance enhancements like adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, and 20-inch wheels. It accelerated to 60 mph in five seconds and reached a top speed of 250 km/h, with a fuel economy of 12.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.4 on the highway, and 11.0 combined. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the TLX Type S had a brake-by-wire system that could be less satisfying in spirited driving.

The 2024 Toyota Prius, following its redesign, received a power boost, achieving 0 to 96 km/h in seven seconds. It featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 83-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, with a second 30-kW motor powering the rear wheels for electric AWD. The hybrid system delivered 196 horsepower, with a fuel economy of 4.8 L/100 km in the city, 4.7 on the highway, and 4.8 combined. The Prius averaged 4.9 L/100 km during testing, showcasing its efficiency. While the Prius improved in handling and acceleration, it still had room for improvement in steering feel, CVT performance, and ride quality. Visibility was also a concern due to the dramatic windshield pillars and small windows.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S featured an Ebony interior with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The U.S.-spec test car had an Orchid interior with carbon fibre trim, unavailable in Canada. The Type S had a flat-bottom sport steering wheel with analog gauges, though the low-contrast red markings were challenging to read. The TLX offered 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats with heating and ventilation, but rear seat comfort was limited due to narrow doors and limited legroom. The trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, comparable to a compact car.

The 2024 Toyota Prius's interior felt snug, with a comfortable driver's seat and a distant windshield base. The 7-inch display panel was crammed with information and could be blocked by the steering wheel. The Prius's windshield pillars created a sense of claustrophobia, and the rear seats felt cramped but comfortable for two. Storage space was adequate, with a wireless smartphone charging slot, though it could collect dirt over time. The Prius offered 575 litres of cargo space, accommodating two full-size suitcases with the cargo cover in place. An optional digital rearview mirror provided a panoramic view when the cargo hold was full.

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 and buttons. 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, navigation, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. However, the TLX did not support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2024 Toyota Prius featured an 8-inch (XLE) or 12.3-inch (Limited) touchscreen display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM, and various connected services. Service Connect and Safety Connect offered long trial periods, while Remote Connect and Drive Connect required subscriptions. The Limited trim included an eight-speaker JBL sound system, though the XLE's six-speaker system was adequate. The Limited also offered a 360-degree camera system and semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, 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. The IIHS awarded the TLX a Top Safety Pick+ rating, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating.

The 2024 Toyota Prius included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Prius's adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance worked well, though it occasionally braked too hard in heavy traffic. The NHTSA gave the Prius five-star ratings in most assessments, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.