2021 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a youthful and somewhat rebellious aesthetic, often compared to a teenager with piercings and tattoos. Despite this, it appeared more subdued than its racier sibling, the WRX STI, which featured a race-ready rear wing. The WRX's wedge-like front end and short trunk lid gave it a speedy look even when stationary, enhanced by aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop. Inside, the WRX's cockpit was function-first, resembling other Subaru compact cars from the past decade. However, it lacked the fresh and refined feel of competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si, with plenty of hard plastics contributing to its immature reputation.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, giving it the presence of a larger luxury sedan. It was significantly wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a nearly three-inch wider track at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX's design featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, creating a substantial yet fuss-free appearance. The Type S variant added exclusive features like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The TLX's interior was snug but impressively detailed, with upper trims offering a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe with thin LED strips and light matte wood.

The 2021 Subaru WRX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine layout allowed for a low center of gravity and efficient packaging with an AWD system. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite its power, the WRX required precise rev management to extract its full potential, making the CVT a surprising but effective choice for maintaining powerband revs. The manual transmission, however, felt vague and less precise compared to the WRX STI. The WRX also featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing cornering precision, though its stiff ride was less comfortable than the Civic Si and GTI.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX offered Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for an additional $2000, which improved stability and handling by varying torque at the rear wheels. The Type S variant boasted a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes. The TLX's engine provided broad torque and minimal turbo lag, though the exhaust note was subdued. The regular TLX was more softly sprung, offering comfort without sacrificing performance, though its summer P Zero tires were noisier on the highway.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. This was more than the Civic Si coupe but less than the sedan and significantly less than the VW GTI's 53.7 cubic feet with rear seats folded. The WRX's interior packaging felt dated, with limited in-door bottle holders and a center console that could obstruct shifting. However, it provided a commanding driving position with excellent visibility and decent rear seat space for four adults.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight for four passengers inside. The back seat had decent headroom but limited legroom, while the front seats were all-day comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and thigh extensions on the Type S. The TLX's touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. Trunk space was mediocre at 13.5 cubic feet, less than a Honda Civic, and the double-wishbone suspension took up additional space.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch screen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls despite dated graphics. The Limited trim offered an option package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing solid sound quality. However, the WRX's tech felt outdated compared to newer models.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The TLX had a great head-up display available only with the Advance Package, which also included 360-degree cameras, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was standard on the Type S, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard features like "Jewel Eye" LED headlights and a full suite of driver assistance features called AcuraWatch.

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with the latest safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available only on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were optional on the Limited trim. All WRX trims came standard with a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It featured standard knee airbags for driver and passenger, a unique passenger airbag, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included on the Technology Package and higher trims.