2020 Acura TLX vs 2021 Honda Accord
Overview | |
MSRP$33,000 | MSRP$24,970 |
Listings80 | Listings217 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews9.2 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
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2020 Acura TLX Reviews SummaryMore than Infiniti and Lexus, Acura has consistently positioned itself as the Japanese luxury brand for driving enthusiasts. But for a while, some of the company's successful products were anything but fun to drive. However, when equipped with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the TL sedan, and since 2015, the TLX that replaced it, have always shown people a good time—particularly those who prefer to take the road less traveled. But that doesn’t mean the 2020 Acura TLX is flawless. Far from it, actually. | |
2021 Honda Accord Reviews SummaryFor the 2021 model year, Honda is taking the Accord in a more elevated direction. The company has refined the Accord’s features list, added a trim level, and priced it right to compete against other heavyweights in the industry. Honda has made safety a priority in the 2021 Accord, helping this fresh version earn high praise. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.4L 206 hp I4 | Engine1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower206 hp @ 6800 rpm | Horsepower192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
MPG City23 | MPG City30 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway38 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.4L 206 hp I4 | Engine Name1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Torque182 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | Torque192 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower206 hp @ 6800 rpm | Horsepower192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City23 | MPG City30 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway38 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.3 cu ft | Cargo Space16.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight3505 lbs | Curb Weight3150 lbs |
Height57.0 in | Height57.1 in |
Length190.7 in | Length196.1 in |
Width73.0 in | Width73.3 in |
Wheelbase109.3 in | Wheelbase111.4 in |
Maximum Payload850 lbs | Maximum Payload1149 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $33,000 | $24,970 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 6.8 out of 10Read full review | 9.2 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | More than Infiniti and Lexus, Acura has consistently positioned itself as the Japanese luxury brand for driving enthusiasts. But for a while, some of the company's successful products were anything but fun to drive. However, when equipped with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the TL sedan, and since 2015, the TLX that replaced it, have always shown people a good time—particularly those who prefer to take the road less traveled. But that doesn’t mean the 2020 Acura TLX is flawless. Far from it, actually. | For the 2021 model year, Honda is taking the Accord in a more elevated direction. The company has refined the Accord’s features list, added a trim level, and priced it right to compete against other heavyweights in the industry. Honda has made safety a priority in the 2021 Accord, helping this fresh version earn high praise. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.4L 206 hp I4 | 1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 206 hp @ 6800 rpm | 192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
MPG City | 23 | 30 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 38 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.4L 206 hp I4 | 1.5L 192 hp I4 |
Torque | 182 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | 192 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
Horsepower | 206 hp @ 6800 rpm | 192 hp @ 5500 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 23 | 30 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 38 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.3 cu ft | 16.7 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3505 lbs | 3150 lbs |
Height | 57.0 in | 57.1 in |
Length | 190.7 in | 196.1 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 73.3 in |
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 111.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 850 lbs | 1149 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Look and feel
CarGurus experts rate the 2020 Acura TLX as 6 out of 10 for look and feel, whereas the 2021 Honda Accord scores higher at 9 out of 10. The Acura TLX underwent significant visual updates to shed its previous, less appealing design. The A-Spec option package enhances the TLX's appearance with sportier aesthetic touches, including 19-inch wheels, revised bumper designs, and side sill skirts. The TLX PMC Edition, limited to 360 units and hand-built in Ohio, offers exclusive features and the vibrant Valencia Red Pearl paint, making it a standout model priced at $50,945. In contrast, the Honda Accord received a mid-generation refresh for the 2021 model year, featuring a wider, restyled grille, LED headlights and fog lights, new alloy wheel designs, and an attractive Sonic Gray Pearl option. The interior across the Accord lineup boasts quality materials, and with trim levels offering features like leather seats and a power moonroof, it caters to a variety of preferences without venturing into luxury territory.
Performance
Performance ratings from CarGurus experts are tied at 9 out of 10 for both the 2020 Acura TLX and the 2021 Honda Accord. The Acura TLX, particularly in its PMC Edition, showcases a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 9-speed automatic and SH-AWD, providing a thrilling driving experience and competent handling thanks to its torque-vectoring system. Despite its performance, the TLX offers a comfortable ride, even in daily driving scenarios. The Honda Accord offers two engine options: a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and a more potent 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four, with the latter proving more engaging while still maintaining decent fuel economy. Though it lacks the athleticism of the Acura, the Accord's driving dynamics are commendably balanced, offering a satisfying blend of comfort and control.
Form and function
In terms of practicality, the Acura TLX scores a 7 out of 10, while the Honda Accord excels with a 9 out of 10 rating. The TLX provides a luxurious cabin experience with high-quality materials and excellent front seats but falls short in rear-seat space and trunk capacity, offering just 14.3 cubic feet. On the other hand, the Accord shines with its spacious interior, accommodating rear seats, and a generous 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, along with thoughtful standard features for convenience and comfort across all trim levels.
Technology
Technology sees the 2020 Acura TLX rated poorly at 2 out of 10, primarily due to its frustrating dual-screen infotainment setup, which is less intuitive and user-friendly compared to competitors. The 2021 Honda Accord, scoring a 9 out of 10, features a more straightforward and functional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complete with physical knobs, standard smartphone integration, and available high-end features in upper trims, showcasing Honda's commitment to delivering contemporary technology without complexity.
Safety
Safety ratings reflect a distinction between the two models, with the 2020 Acura TLX earning a 7 out of 10 due to aging design and ADAS technologies that, while effective, lack the refinement of newer systems. The 2021 Honda Accord achieves a 9 out of 10, bolstered by its comprehensive Honda Sensing suite, excellent IIHS and NHTSA ratings, and a range of standard and available safety technologies that demonstrate Honda's focus on occupant protection.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Acura TLX is 6.8, while the 2021 Honda Accord scores 9.2. Given these evaluations, the Honda Accord emerges as the preferred choice, boasting a higher score in key areas such as aesthetics, technology, safety, and overall value.
Choose the 2020 Acura TLX if:
- You prioritize a performance-oriented drive, courtesy of its V6 engine and SH-AWD system.
- Luxury features and exclusivity, particularly with the limited-edition PMC model, appeal to you.
- You're drawn to the unique aesthetic upgrades offered by the A-Spec package.
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Choose the 2021 Honda Accord if:
- You seek a blend of practicality, comfort, and style without venturing into luxury pricing.
- Advanced technology and safety features are top priorities for you, especially those that are user-friendly.
- Fuel efficiency and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing performance matter to you.
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CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Acura TLX is 6.8, while the 2021 Honda Accord scores 9.2. Given these evaluations, the Honda Accord emerges as the preferred choice, boasting a higher score in key areas such as aesthetics, technology, safety, and overall value.
Choose the 2020 Acura TLX if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a performance-oriented drive, courtesy of its V6 engine and SH-AWD system.
- Luxury features and exclusivity, particularly with the limited-edition PMC model, appeal to you.
- You're drawn to the unique aesthetic upgrades offered by the A-Spec package.
80 results
Choose the 2021 Honda Accord if:
Shop Now- You seek a blend of practicality, comfort, and style without venturing into luxury pricing.
- Advanced technology and safety features are top priorities for you, especially those that are user-friendly.
- Fuel efficiency and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing performance matter to you.
217 results
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.
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