2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger luxury sedan. It was notably wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a track width nearly three inches wider at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a V-shaped front bumper, giving it a substantial yet sleek appearance. The Type S variant added unique elements like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels, and four fat exhaust pipes, enhancing its sporty look. Inside, the TLX was snug but impressively detailed, with high-quality materials and a sophisticated design, especially in the upper trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks, with a design that was both practical and appealing. It shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but had a distinct rear, solving the visual weight issue common in small hatchbacks. The interior of the Civic Hatchback was modern and high-quality, especially in the Sport Touring trim, which featured sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The car's design was functional, with a generous trunk space and comfortable seating, although some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster and rear air conditioning vents.

The 2022 Acura TLX offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, thanks to its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the TLX provided quick shifts and responsive performance. The SH-AWD system, available for an extra $2000, enhanced stability and handling by varying torque at the rear wheels. The Type S variant, with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, excelled on the track, thanks to its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes. However, the exhaust note was subdued, and the summer tires were noisy on the highway. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque for the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, providing a smooth and quiet driving experience. The six-speed manual transmission, available in the Sport and Sport Touring trims, was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic Hatchback handled well, with firm suspension tuning and responsive steering, although the brakes were not up to repeated hard use. Fuel economy was impressive, with the Sport Touring achieving 33 mpg combined with the CVT and 31 mpg combined with the manual transmission.

Despite its large exterior, the 2022 Acura TLX had a tight interior, especially in the back seat, which suffered from limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with adjustable side bolsters and a low driving position. The infotainment system's touchpad interface required acclimation, and the trunk space was mediocre at 13.5 cubic feet. The TLX's climate control was straightforward, but the touchpad's complexity detracted from the overall user experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The interior offered comfortable seating and sufficient legroom, although the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, but the small typefaces on the display were difficult to read. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard driver assistance features like AcuraWatch.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with a new infotainment system, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen display in the lower trims and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring also included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless smartphone charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls and a shelf for steadying the hand improved usability. The voice recognition system worked well, and the digital instrumentation in the Sport Touring trim provided comprehensive information.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It came with standard knee airbags, 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 in the Technology Package and higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available only in the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic Hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.