2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Acura TLX

The 2020 BMW 3 Series exuded an aquatic elegance reminiscent of majestic marine life, with its lidded headlights, bulging curved hood, and oversized grille. This design choice gave the sedan a unique and awe-inspiring appearance. Despite its high pricing, the 3 Series, especially the M340i trim, was celebrated for its exhilarating driving experience. The interior offered a variety of colours and materials, with the off-white Ivory leather contrasting sharply against the black cabin and Tanzanite Blue exterior. The cabin's quality and purposeful design helped justify the car's premium price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura TLX stood out in the crowded sporty sedan class with its assertive stance, steeply raked windshield, and fastback-style roofline. The grille pattern, jewel eye LED headlights, and twin trapezoidal tailpipes added to its bold look. Inside, the TLX boasted a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials and a well-organized dash. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was neatly integrated, enhancing the interior's quality and attention to detail. The TLX's design was both functional and visually appealing, offering a premium feel.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i trim, was a testament to BMW's commitment to driving dynamics. With significant structural and suspension changes, the car returned to its sporty handling roots. The M340i featured a 3.0-litre turbo inline six-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The rear-biased xDrive AWD, M Sport differential, and massive M Sport brakes contributed to its exhilarating performance. Despite the absence of a manual transmission, the 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters provided a thrilling driving experience, launching the car to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds.

The 2021 Acura TLX, on the other hand, was equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The TLX's performance was enhanced by its drive-by-wire throttle, shift-by-wire connection, and SH-AWD with torque vectoring. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed for distinct driving modes, while the Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX's nimble handling and solid feel on various road surfaces made it a fun and engaging drive, with Sport mode taming turbo lag and enhancing the exhaust note.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered simple yet supportive front seats, ideal for exploring the car's handling capabilities. The interior featured high-quality leather, front-seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel. However, the lack of ventilated seats was a drawback during warmer weather. Rear-seat entry and exit were somewhat awkward, but once inside, the seats provided excellent support. The infotainment system was well-integrated, and storage space was generous, with a 479-litre trunk, though its narrow design limited cargo capacity.

The 2021 Acura TLX benefited from performance-driven design choices, such as the shift-by-wire transmission, which allowed for a reimagined centre console. The transmission controls were easy to access, and the centre console housed the infotainment interface and cupholders. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, while the front seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability. The trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, with a wide opening and fold-down rear seats for added versatility.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured an advanced iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was intuitive, with multiple ways to interact, including a centre console knob and buttons. The "Hey, BMW" voice recognition system was particularly impressive, offering natural command responses. The head-up display was a notable feature, visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Acura TLX was loaded with technology, from performance enhancements like drive-by-wire and SH-AWD to comfort features like ambient lighting. The ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system delivered exceptional sound quality. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade added a head-up display, G-Metre, and Turbo Boost Indicator, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered advanced driving assistance systems through the optional Advanced Driver Assistance package. While the safety features were accurate, the lane-keeping assist system was abrupt. The 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2021 Acura TLX came standard with driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a full complement of airbags. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.