Compare the2023 Acura TLXVS 2023 Volkswagen GTI

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 GTI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The TLX offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The GTI doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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 GTI 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 GTI have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Acura TLX weighs 503 to 1088 pounds more than the Volkswagen GTI. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GTI is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

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

The TLX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the GTI’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 GTI’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the TLX’s reliability 15 points higher than the GTI.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 38 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Volkswagen.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 15 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (272 vs. 241) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 114 more horsepower (355 vs. 241) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 273) than the GTI’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the TLX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Volkswagen GTI (automatics tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Acura TLX Type S was clocked 5.4 seconds faster than the Volkswagen GTI Autobahn (186.7 sec. vs. 192.1 sec.).

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 GTI Automatic.

The TLX has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the GTI (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 GTI doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system or a tether to prevent losing the cap.

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

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 GTI.

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

The TLX stops shorter than the GTI:

For better traction, the TLX has larger standard tires than the GTI (235/50R18 vs. 225/40R18). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GTI (255/35R20 vs. 235/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX Type S has standard 20-inch wheels. The GTI’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 GTI doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The TLX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The GTI’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 9.4 inches longer than on the GTI (113 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 5 inches wider in the rear than on the GTI.

The TLX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the GTI’s (60.9% to 39.1%). This gives the TLX more stable handling and braking.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the GTI Autobahn pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GTI Autobahn (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .72 average G’s).

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The GTI 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 GTI Autobahn (71 vs. 74 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 GTI.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the TLX offers cargo security. The GTI’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 GTI doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The TLX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GTI uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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 38% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

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 GTI 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. An easy entry system costs extra on the GTI, and is not available on all models.

If the windows are left open on the TLX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GTI can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The TLX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the GTI’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The TLX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the GTI Autobahn.

The Acura TLX outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by 37% during 2022.