Compare the2023 Acura TLXVS 2022 Volkswagen Passat

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Passat doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 Passat doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The TLX offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Passat 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 Passat 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’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Passat doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the TLX and the Passat have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	TLX	Passat
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	143	170
Neck Injury Risk	20%	28.5%
Neck Stress	175 lbs.	263 lbs.
Neck Compression	27 lbs.	61 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	258/267 lbs.	166/453 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	1 inches
Neck Injury Risk	32%	46.5%
Neck Stress	186 lbs.	265 lbs.
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	147 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura TLX is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	TLX	Passat
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	279 lbs.	316 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	181	249
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	539 lbs.	713 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	15 inches
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	484 lbs.	720 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the TLX, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.7% less likely to roll over than the Passat, which received a four-star rating.

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 Passat has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

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

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

Reliability

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 Passat’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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.

Engine

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 98 more horsepower (272 vs. 174) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 206) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 181 more horsepower (355 vs. 174) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 206) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura TLX is faster than the Volkswagen Passat:

	TLX turbo 4 cyl.	TLX Type S	Passat
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	4.9 sec	8.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.5 sec	5.5 sec	9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	13.6 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	103 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	155 MPH	116 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Passat doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 Passat doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	TLX	TLX Type S	Passat
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.3 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	10.7 inches

The TLX stops much shorter than the Passat:

	TLX	Passat
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Passat (255/35R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The TLX Type S’ tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Passat R-Line’s optional 40 series tires.

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

Suspension and Handling

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

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 Passat’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the Passat (113 inches vs. 110.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Passat.

The TLX Type S handles at .96 G’s, while the Passat pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the Passat R-Line (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

The TLX has .1 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room and 1.3 inches more front shoulder room than the Passat.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the TLX’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Passat’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

Servicing Ease

The TLX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Passat 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.

Ergonomics

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 Passat doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The TLX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Passat doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The TLX’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Passat has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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 Passat can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the TLX A-Spec/Advance/Type S keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Passat doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 Passat doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura TLX offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Passat doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

The Acura TLX outsold the Volkswagen Passat by almost five to one during 2022.

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