2023 Acura TLX vs 2023 Toyota Crown

The 2023 Toyota Crown was a full-size sedan that comfortably seated five passengers. It shared a similar footprint with the discontinued Toyota Avalon but stood out with a ride height 10 centimetres higher, giving it a unique presence on the road. The Crown's design was more universally appealing compared to the Honda Accord Crosstour or AMC Eagle crossover. Its front featured a large grille, mostly for aesthetics, with a narrow slit above for actual air intake, flanked by angular headlights. The side profile was enhanced by large wheels and a black trim piece along the doors, while the rear was rounded with a bold taillight strip. Inside, the Crown boasted a modern digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen, though it mixed hard plastics with cushioned touchpoints, giving it a fancier Toyota feel rather than a luxury vehicle.

The 2023 Acura TLX, particularly the Type S model, was a rare sight on the road due to supply chain constraints and a shift in consumer preference towards SUVs. The TLX was based on a concept vehicle that introduced a new design language for Acura, featuring a long, low, and lean profile with a rear-wheel-drive look. However, this design compromised rear-seat headroom, legroom, and cargo space. Inside, the TLX had a layered dashboard design that emphasized width but sacrificed practicality with a control layout that required relearning. The Type S model, with its turbocharged V6 engine and SH-AWD, was the most expensive version, offering numerous performance enhancements. Despite its challenges, the TLX was a delight to drive, with a focus on performance and style.

The 2023 Toyota Crown in Canada offered two hybrid powertrains across its XLE and Platinum trims. The base powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid electric motor, producing 236 horsepower and featuring on-demand all-wheel-drive. The Platinum trim's Hybrid Max powertrain upgraded to a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride was tuned for comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension. Despite some engine noise, the cabin remained quiet, and the Crown was enjoyable to drive, though some electronic driver aids were intrusive.

The 2023 Acura TLX featured a turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard SH-AWD in Canada. The TLX offered multiple driving modes, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The Type S model came with a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It included performance enhancements like adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, and a sport automatic transmission. The TLX Type S was fun to drive, though its brake-by-wire system could be distracting. Despite some minor issues, the TLX was a delight to drive, offering a balance of performance and comfort.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's interior featured fabric seat upholstery in the XLE trim and full leather in the Platinum trim. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The driver's view was largely unobstructed, and the taller ride height provided a better view of the road. The rear seats offered ample space, though the tapering roofline limited headroom. The Crown had a traditional trunk with a capacity of 360 litres, which was small for a large sedan but still useful.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S in Canada came with an Ebony interior in premium Milano leather with artificial suede inserts. The front seats were 16-way power-adjustable with heating and ventilation, offering excellent comfort. However, the rear seats were cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk held 382 litres of cargo, more akin to a compact car, but a flat floor and enclosed hinges made it practical.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available 11-speaker JBL premium audio system. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and featured a voice-recognition system activated by "Hey Toyota." A digital key feature was standard on the Platinum trim, allowing smartphone unlocking and virtual key sharing.

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 was distracting and occupied valuable 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.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parking system. Some driver aids were intrusive, but many could be disabled. Crash test results were not available at the time of publication.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with driver aids like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Type S added rain-sensing wipers 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.