Compare the2024 Acura TLXVS 2024 Honda Accord

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

The TLX Type S has a standard Surround View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Accord 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.

The TLX has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the TLX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring offers Cross Traffic Monitor.

Both the TLX and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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 and driver alert monitors.

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 129 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord has not been fully tested, yet.

The TLX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Accord’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Honda covers the Accord. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Accord ends after only 5 years or 60,000 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 Accord’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (272 vs. 192) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 192) than the Accord’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (272 vs. 204) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 247) than the Accord Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 151 more horsepower (355 vs. 204) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 247) than the Accord Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura TLX is faster than the Honda Accord:

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

Both the TLX and the Accord have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All TLXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the Accord 1.5T.

The TLX has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 12.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The TLX has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.8 gallons).

For better stopping power the TLX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord:

The TLX stops much shorter than the Accord:

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the Accord (255/35R20 vs. 225/50R17). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Accord (255/35R20 vs. 235/40R19).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Accord LX/EX/EX-L’s standard 50 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Accord Sport/Touring’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Accord LX/EX/EX-L. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Accord Sport/Touring.

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 Accord doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The TLX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Accord’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Accord (113 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Accord.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the Accord Sport-L Hybrid pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the Accord Sport-L Hybrid (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The TLX has .2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room and .3 inches more front shoulder room than the Accord.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the TLX’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Accord’s useful trunk space.

The TLX’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 36% lower rating, Honda is ranked 25th.

The TLX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Accord can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TLX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Accord Sport-L/EX-L/Touring.

On extremely cold winter days, the TLX’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura TLX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Accord Touring offers wireless charging.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the TLX second among midsize premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Accord isn’t in the top three.