2023 Subaru WRX vs 2023 Acura TLX

The 2023 Acura TLX faced several challenges, including a consumer shift to SUVs, pandemic-related supply chain constraints, and fluctuating car prices. These factors made it difficult for Acura to offer attractive lease deals. Unlike some competitors, Acura did not rely on rental fleets to move its vehicles, making the TLX a rare sight on the road. The TLX Type S, tested in Southern California, featured eye-catching Tiger Eye Pearl paint and a performance wheel and tire package, bringing its MSRP to $59,100.

The TLX's design was based on a concept vehicle, introducing a new design language for Acura. Despite its front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX had a rear-wheel-drive look, which compromised rear-seat room and cargo space. Inside, the TLX featured a layered dashboard design that emphasized width but sacrificed practicality. The control layout required drivers to relearn basic functions, causing unnecessary distractions. The Type S model, with its turbocharged V6 engine and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), was the most expensive version, while the base TLX with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and FWD started at $41,045.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, no longer badged as the Impreza WRX, featured distinct styling that set it apart from the Impreza. Riding on the Subaru Global Platform, the WRX had a wide-body look with functional hood scoops and body cladding reminiscent of the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback. The WRX's exterior styling clearly conveyed its performance capabilities, maintaining a tuner aesthetic associated with Japanese performance cars. The interior was basic but durable, with GT models featuring Recaro Performance Design front seats and Ultrasuede upholstery.

The WRX's interior was typical of Subaru, with a focus on durability and practicality. The GT model's Recaro seats offered excellent support and comfort, with red contrast stitching adding a touch of flair. However, the WRX's interior lacked modern conveniences like adequate smartphone storage, which was a surprising oversight for a recently redesigned model.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the trim and drivetrain, this engine achieved between 24 and 25 mpg in combined driving. The TLX featured multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The SH-AWD system, available on higher trims, provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing power, grip, and control.

The TLX Type S, with its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. It featured performance enhancements like a sport automatic transmission, adaptive dampers, and Brembo front calipers. The Type S could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and had a top speed of 155 mph, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. Despite its performance capabilities, the TLX Type S had some drawbacks, including a brake-by-wire system that lacked the intuitive feel of traditional brakes.

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Unlike its mostly FWD competitors, the WRX came with AWD. It offered a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) CVT. The SPT/CVT provided quick throttle responses but had a fake shift shock that detracted from the driving experience. The WRX GT model included electronically controlled dampers and multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Individual.

The WRX's well-mannered character made it a pleasant daily driver, with its AWD system and summer tires providing excellent grip on twisty roads. However, the driving experience felt muted, with a quiet exhaust and laid-back steering. The CVT blunted the feeling of acceleration, making the WRX competent but lacking in exuberance.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S offered interior color options like Ebony, Red, and Orchid, with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The flat-bottom sport steering wheel featured analog gauges with low-contrast red markings, making them difficult to read. The 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats provided excellent comfort, but the rear seats were cramped, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk offered 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more in line with a compact car than a midsize model.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, offered practicality with a bit more front headroom and legroom than a Honda Civic Si. However, the Civic provided more rear-seat space. The WRX's trunk had 12.5 cubic feet of space, less than the Civic Si and Volkswagen Jetta GLI. The WRX featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and roof-rack mounts. The interior had good outward visibility, but lacked adequate smartphone storage, with the typical spot under the touchscreen being too small for modern phones.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a touchpad and buttons on the center console. The TTI's one-to-one relationship between the display and touchpad proved distracting. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and premium audio systems. However, the TLX lacked Alexa Built-In, relying on AcuraLink Remote for Alexa compatibility.

The 2023 Subaru WRX's Starlink infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen displayed icons and text clearly, but physical buttons and knobs would have been appreciated. The menus were mostly easy to navigate, but the SiriusXM interface required too many steps. The system also took a long time to load on startup, delaying music playback.

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The Type S included rain-sensing wipers and a wiper de-icer system. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured Subaru's EyeSight safety system, available only with the CVT. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Other available safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. The WRX received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.