2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Acura TLX

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta presented a conservative yet upscale appearance, especially in the Highline trim. Despite its bland exterior, the Jetta's interior offered a touch of luxury with features like ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and a large sunroof. The digital instrumentation and infotainment systems added a modern touch, making the Jetta feel more premium than its price suggested. However, its design lacked the symmetry and balance of previous generations, leaving it visually inoffensive but not particularly striking.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura TLX stood out with its dramatic styling, inspired by a concept vehicle that introduced a new design language for the brand. The TLX's long, low, and lean profile gave it a rear-wheel-drive look, though it was built on a front-wheel-drive platform. This design choice compromised rear-seat headroom and cargo space but delivered a visually appealing exterior. Inside, the TLX featured a layered dashboard design, emphasizing width but sacrificing practicality. The control layout required a learning curve, detracting from the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided zippy acceleration and a nimble feel, especially in urban settings. The Jetta's eight-speed automatic transmission, however, exhibited a delay in response, which could be mitigated by using the Sport mode. Despite this, the Jetta's handling was predictable and trustworthy, with impressive all-season tires that enhanced its performance on mountain roads. The Jetta's fuel economy was rated at 7.1 L/100 km in combined driving, though real-world testing showed an average of 7.8 L/100 km.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a more powerful performance with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The TLX's 10-speed automatic transmission and SH-AWD system provided a dynamic driving experience, with multiple driving modes to suit different preferences. The Type S variant took performance to another level with a 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. It featured performance enhancements like adaptive dampers and Brembo brakes, making it a delight to drive. However, the brake-by-wire system occasionally caused a disconnect between driver inputs and braking response. The Type S averaged 11.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offered a spacious interior, comfortably accommodating four adults with ample legroom and a cavernous trunk providing 399 litres of cargo space. The Highline trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and rear air conditioning vents were absent. The Jetta's interior storage was generous, with a large centre bin, glove compartment, and door panel storage.

The 2023 Acura TLX, particularly the Type S model, featured a premium interior with Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable, offering excellent comfort, but the rear seat was cramped with limited legroom. The TLX's trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, more akin to a compact car. The flat trunk floor and enclosed hinges maximized usability, but the overall space was limited compared to the Jetta.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Highline came with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. While not as advanced as Audi's systems, it was impressive for its class. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the interface required some getting used to. The Car-Net service offered additional features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote engine starting. However, the Beats Audio system was underwhelming compared to previous Fender systems.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) 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, and a 17-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. However, the lack of wireless smartphone integration was a drawback. The TLX's technology package was comprehensive but marred by the TTI's usability issues.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offered standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with additional features like blind spot monitoring and Travel Assist available on higher trims. The Travel Assist system performed well, though occasional inaccuracies were noted. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but had a Poor rating from the IIHS in a new frontal-impact test.

The 2023 Acura TLX came with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Type S added features like rain-sensing wipers and a surround-view camera. The TLX's Advanced Engineering Compatibility body structure and eight airbags contributed to its safety, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.