2021 Honda Civic vs 2020 Acura TLX

A few years ago, Acura revamped the TLX midsize sedan's design, addressing a widespread aesthetic issue across its lineup. This facelift resulted in the 2020 TLX being a handsome, albeit somewhat anonymous, car. The A-Spec option package enhanced its styling with 19-inch wheels, revised bumpers, side sill skirts, and oversized exhaust outlets. The 2020 TLX PMC Edition, limited to 360 units, featured a dazzling Valencia Red Pearl paint and unique exterior accents, hand-built by the same technicians who assemble the NSX supercar. The PMC Edition was priced at $50,945, while non-PMC models started at $33,995, with recommended upgrades pushing the price to just under $40,000.

The 2021 Honda Civic continued its legacy of segment-defining models, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats. The two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si was on hiatus. The Civic sedan came in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $21,250 to $28,300, excluding a $995 destination charge. The test car, a Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic, cost $29,690. Despite its polarizing design, the Civic remained a familiar sight on the roads, with over a million units sold. The Touring trim's 18-inch wheels and appealing blue paint made the Civic look great, though its interior showed signs of aging, particularly with its 7-inch infotainment screen.

The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition boasted the top-performing powertrain in the lineup, featuring a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. This setup provided a steady build-up of power, with 267 lb-ft of peak torque arriving at 4,500 rpm. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing the car's handling dynamics. The TLX felt comfortable and quiet during daily driving, with a firm yet not too stiff ride quality. On a testing loop, the TLX returned 23 mpg, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque in LX and Sport trims, paired with a CVT driving the front wheels. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, standard in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, produced 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. The Civic's sophisticated suspension and steering made it a delight to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels. However, the CVT detracted from the driving experience, with a sloppy gear lever and droning noise. Despite this, the Civic achieved an impressive 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop, surpassing the EPA's 33 mpg estimate.

The 2020 Acura TLX excelled in comfort and quality, with supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and ample room for front passengers. Rear occupants enjoyed air-conditioning vents and available heated seats. However, the trunk space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, more akin to a compact car than a midsize.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard from EX-L trim onwards. The Civic's interior was roomy, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with excellent rear seat support. The center console provided remarkable storage space, and the trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2020 Acura TLX's dual-screen infotainment system was a major drawback, with a non-touchscreen top display and a touchscreen bottom display. The layout was confusing, with climate control buttons and switches scattered across the screens. The voice-recognition system was subpar, and the navigation graphics were outdated. However, the Acura/ELS premium audio system and smartphone charger were positives, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age, with the LX trim offering a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The voice recognition system in the Touring trim was unsophisticated, but the premium sound system was a nice touch.

The 2020 Acura TLX's aging architecture was reflected in its IIHS crash-test ratings, with an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test. However, it earned 5-star ratings in all NHTSA tests. The TLX came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was included on all but the base model. These systems were effective but lacked refinement compared to more modern vehicles.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic also featured LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system for the right side. However, it lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and 5-star ratings in all NHTSA assessments.