2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2020 Acura TLX

The 2020 Acura TLX, with its refreshed design, presented a handsome yet somewhat anonymous appearance. The A-Spec option package added visual flair with 19-inch wheels, revised bumpers, side sill skirts, and oversized exhaust outlets. The limited-edition PMC Edition, painted in Valencia Red Pearl and featuring unique body-color and gloss black accents, was hand-built in Ohio by the same technicians who crafted the NSX supercar. Priced at $50,945, the PMC Edition topped the TLX lineup, while non-PMC models started at $33,995, with recommended upgrades pushing the price to just under $40,000.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, offered a bold and distinctive look. The N Line treatment enhanced the Sonata's appeal with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, bold 19-inch wheels, and a reworked rear bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system. The interior featured sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents. A panoramic sunroof added a two-tone appearance and a sense of spaciousness inside.

The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition came equipped with the top-performing powertrain, featuring a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. This setup provided a steady build-up of power, with 267 pound-feet of peak torque arriving at 4,500 rpm. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing the car's handling dynamics. The TLX offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with sophisticated amplitude reactive dampers and a well-behaved transmission. During testing, the TLX returned 23 mpg, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. An eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and launch control sent power to the front wheels. The Sonata N Line featured Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and 19-inch wheels with performance tires contributed to its impressive handling. During testing, the Sonata N Line averaged 23.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA's combined estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2020 Acura TLX offered a high-quality interior with supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and ample room for front passengers. Rear occupants enjoyed air-conditioning vents and available heated seats. However, the trunk space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, which was more in line with compact cars.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance of comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, enhancing comfort for both front occupants. Rear-seat passengers benefited from air conditioning vents, a USB port, and a panoramic sunroof. The Sonata's trunk offered a spacious 16 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was a convenient addition, though the lack of an interior handle for closing the trunk was a minor drawback.

The 2020 Acura TLX's dual-screen infotainment system was a source of frustration. The top display was not a touchscreen, while the bottom display was, leading to confusion and distraction. The system's layout and controls were not user-friendly, and the voice-recognition system was subpar. However, the Acura/ELS premium audio system and smartphone charger were positives, and the car included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The system included HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob caused some frustration. The Sonata N Line also offered Hyundai Digital Key, which worked only with Android devices, and a unique Sounds of Nature feature for stress relief.

The 2020 Acura TLX, designed in the early 2010s, showed its age in safety ratings. It did not qualify for a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test. However, it earned 5-star ratings in all NHTSA tests. The TLX included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation systems. While effective, these systems lacked the smoothness and refinement of more modern vehicles.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with Hyundai's comprehensive SmartSense ADAS package, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata N Line's ADAS performed smoothly and accurately, building driver trust. While the NHTSA and IIHS had not rated the N Line specifically, the standard Sonata's high safety ratings were a positive indicator.