2021 Acura TLX vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized as one of the most stylish iterations in the model's history, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was designed as a mainstream family sedan, yet it exuded an upscale appearance, especially when equipped with the 19-inch alloy wheels available on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trims. These larger wheels enhanced the car's visual presence, although the 17-inch wheels offered on other trims were a more economical choice for long-term ownership. The Accord was available in several trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $28,705 to $40,405. Inside, the Accord boasted high-quality materials, with soft touchpoints, premium leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood, making it a comfortable and luxurious space.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura TLX was a sporty sedan with a bold and assertive design. Its styling was characterized by a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler, giving it a distinctive and aggressive stance. The front grille, with its exploding pattern from the central Acura logo, and the jewel-eye LED headlights added to its striking appearance. The TLX's paint quality was exceptional, and tasteful badging and chrome accents enhanced its premium look. Inside, the TLX featured a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials, tight gaps, and a well-organized dashboard. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, contributing to the car's modern and sophisticated interior design.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking fuel efficiency, the Accord's hybrid powertrain delivered 212 horsepower and averaged 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Enthusiasts could opt for the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's driving modes, including Economy and Sport, allowed for personalized powertrain calibration, and the car's adaptive dampers and 19-inch tires provided excellent handling and ride comfort. However, the brakes could benefit from refinement, and the front-wheel-drive setup struggled to manage the power during aggressive acceleration.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It was equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, providing excellent traction and handling. The TLX's Integrated Dynamics System offered multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for further ride customization. The TLX's chassis boasted increased torsional stiffness and rigidity, contributing to its nimble and balanced handling. During testing, the TLX demonstrated an eager and sprightly character, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response and exhaust note.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size sedan, offering generous rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to competitors like the Toyota Camry. The Accord's 12-way power driver's seat provided excellent comfort, while the rear seat was spacious and comfortable, with heated outboard positions on higher trims. The trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, accommodating full-size suitcases with ease. The interior featured ample storage, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, making it a pleasant environment for occupants.

The 2021 Acura TLX's design decisions, such as the shift-by-wire transmission, allowed for a reimagined centre console layout. The transmission controls were integrated into the centre stack, freeing up space for the infotainment interface and cupholders. The TLX's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available Ultrasuede or perforated leather upholstery and multiple power adjustments. The rear seat offered adequate space for two adults, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The TLX's trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, with a wide opening for easy loading.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with user-friendly controls, including volume and tuning knobs, and support for Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like a premium audio system, HondaLink services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging. However, the system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring specific prompts for accurate responses. The Touring trim included a head-up display and a reversing camera with multiple viewing angles.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with advanced performance technologies, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control for optimized performance. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting themes and the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Accord was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. However, blind-spot monitoring was reserved for the Touring trim, and some systems could benefit from refinement.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. It also included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a next-generation front-passenger airbag. The TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.