Compare the2022 Acura TLXVS 2022 Volkswagen Golf R

The Acura TLX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Golf R doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The TLX Advance has a standard Surround View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Golf R only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the TLX and the Golf R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the TLX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Golf R has not been tested, yet.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Golf R. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Golf R ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The TLX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Golf R’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

The battery on the TLX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the TLX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Golf R’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 26th in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 55 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 40 more horsepower (355 vs. 315) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 295) than the Golf R DSG’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The Golf R doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Volkswagen only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Golf R Automatic.

The TLX has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Golf R (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Golf R doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura TLX higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Golf R (5). This means the TLX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Golf R every 15,000 miles.

The Acura TLX comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Golf R.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Golf R.

For better stopping power the TLX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Golf R:

For better traction, the TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Golf R (255/35R20 vs. 235/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX Type S has standard 20-inch wheels. The Golf R’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Golf R doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 9.5 inches longer than on the Golf R (113 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 4.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Golf R.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the Golf R pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Golf R doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the TLX Type S is quieter than the Golf R (71 vs. 72 dB).

The TLX has 1.3 inches more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 8.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Golf R.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the TLX offers cargo security. The Golf R’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the TLX. The Golf R doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 44% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

The TLX offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Golf R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The TLX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Golf R doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The TLX is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Golf R doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura TLX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Acura TLX outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by over two to one during the 2021 model year.