2021 Acura TLX vs 2020 Nissan Altima

The 2020 model of the Altima offered a variety of trims, including the base S and sporty SR variants, as well as the SV, SL, and Platinum. I had the opportunity to test drive the Altima Platinum, which featured a turbocharged engine, premium paint, and additional options like a rear spoiler, splash guards, and illuminated doorsill kick plates. Priced at $37,825 including destination charges, the Platinum trim aimed to impress potential buyers.

Equipped with 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, the Altima Platinum looked striking. The previous year's redesign had streamlined the car's appearance, leaving only a few debatable elements. For instance, the door handles, when viewed from the side, appeared misaligned, making the front ones seem lower. Additionally, the body-color lower diffuser panel between the exhaust outlets could have looked better in a darker shade, and the black trim on the rear roof pillars wasn't to everyone's taste.

Inside, the Altima offered a clean, contemporary design with ergonomic simplicity. The high-mounted touchscreen infotainment system included stereo knobs, while the climate controls and traditional PRNDL shifter were straightforward to use. The cabin materials felt on par with other midsize sedans, but color choices were limited to black or gray. Matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim added just enough elegance to keep the interior from feeling cheap.

The 2021 TLX boasted an assertive stance with a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler, making it stand out among sporty sedans. The grille pattern, radiating from the big Acura logo, along with the jewel-eye LED headlights, created a bold front appearance. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and top-notch paint quality further enhanced its premium look, accompanied by tasteful badging and chrome accents.

The interior of the TLX showcased quality and attention to detail. Acura described it as a “sport sedan cockpit,” with a well-organized dashboard and authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood. Tight gaps, matching fonts, and a fluid design added to the visual appeal. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was perfectly placed atop the center stack, creating a modern yet intentional floating effect.

Most 2020 Altimas featured a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generating up to 188 horsepower, paired with a CVT that powered the front wheels. AWD was optional with this engine, making the Altima attractive to those in colder climates. The test car, however, came with the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the VC-Turbo. This engine could adjust its compression ratio for a balance of power and efficiency, delivering up to 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. Fuel economy was estimated at 29 mpg combined, although real-world testing resulted in 26.2 mpg.

Featuring a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, and dual-pinion electric steering, the Altima offered an engaging driving experience. Its Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control systems contributed to a smooth and controlled ride, making it enjoyable to drive in various settings. However, the CVT could create sudden surges in power, which felt different compared to traditional automatics.

The 2021 TLX entered the market with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It came with a drive-by-wire throttle system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX offered FWD as standard, with the option for Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Fuel economy estimates were 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg combined for AWD.

Acura focused on delivering a sporty experience, with technologies like Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control enhancing the driving dynamics. The Integrated Dynamics System offered different driving modes, adjusting parameters for various preferences. On-the-road assessments showed that the TLX felt nimble and balanced, thanks to its improved torsional stiffness and suspension tuning.

The Altima's seats were designed with NASA-inspired technology to simulate weightlessness, providing superior comfort. However, the lack of a front passenger seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats at its price point was disappointing. The heated front seats, steering wheel, and remote engine start with climate control were appealing for cold climates, but heated rear seats were absent. Storage space inside the cabin was considerable, though there was no wireless smartphone charging pad. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of cargo space with handy features like grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

In contrast, the TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a more flexible center console design. The NSX-inspired control panel for gear selection was intuitive, freeing up space for a mini touchpad, cupholders, and a storage cubby. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with sufficient head and legroom, though the center seat was best for short trips. Front seats boasted perforated Milano leather with 12-way power adjustability and optional ventilation. The trunk offered 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than the Altima, but with a wide and deep opening for easier loading.

The 2020 Altima's infotainment system featured an 8-inch display, despite being small by modern standards. The flat layout, easy-to-use knobs, and buttons made it user-friendly. Standard features included Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Options extended to a Bose audio system, navigation, and NissanConnect Services, which offered various plans for connected services, though voice recognition technology could be improved.

The 2021 TLX came loaded with performance and convenience technology. Features included drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire systems, ambient interior lighting, and the impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system integrated Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Navigation with voice recognition and a head-up display were part of the Advance Package, along with a G-Meter and Turbo Boost Indicator, appealing to sport-oriented drivers.

Every 2020 Altima came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, though the base S trim had limited features. Higher trims included pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and high-beam assistance. Additional safety systems like a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and surround-view camera were available. Despite some issues with ProPilot Assist, the Altima received a 5-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

The 2021 TLX featured the AcuraWatch suite, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The car had a robust safety structure with a mix of traditional and advanced features. New additions included a next-gen front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, traffic-sign recognition, and a driver attention monitor. Though not yet tested by IIHS or NHTSA, previous models received high ratings, and Acura aimed for top safety scores for the 2021 TLX.