2021 Acura TLX vs 2020 Toyota Camry

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a renewed focus on quality and appeal, aiming to reclaim its status as a top contender in the sedan market. Its styling was more expressive than ever, with a bold front fascia and taut lines that gave it a sporty appearance. The design borrowed cues from BMW, with a character line across the doors and an upturned kink of the C-pillar. With 13 exterior colour options, including a black roof, the Camry was designed to be fashionable. Inside, the use of high-quality materials and a driver-focused dashboard made even the base trims feel upscale. The Camry's interior was crafted to offer a cockpit-like experience, especially in higher trims with leather and wood accents, aligning it with entry-level luxury vehicles.

The 2021 Acura TLX was a sporty sedan with a distinctive and assertive design. Its steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler gave it a dynamic stance. The front grille, with its exploding pattern from the Acura logo, and the jewel eye LED headlights added to its bold look. The TLX's paint quality and chrome accents enhanced its premium feel. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood. The dash was well-organized, and the 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed. The TLX's interior was designed for both aesthetics and functionality, with tight gaps and a cohesive design.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim) and a 3.5-litre V6 producing 301 horsepower. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, especially in the Camry XLE. The four-cylinder engine, while less powerful, offered a lighter front end, enhancing the steering feel in the sporty XSE trim. The Camry also introduced an all-wheel-drive option, which could send up to half of the engine's torque to the rear wheels in slippery conditions. Fuel efficiency varied, with the front-drive Camry achieving 7.6 L/100 km in combined driving, while AWD models consumed slightly more.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a new turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The TLX's 10-speed automatic transmission, equipped with technologies like Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control, enhanced its sporty performance. Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) was standard, providing excellent traction and handling. The TLX's Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual modes, adjusting the car's performance characteristics. The TLX's adaptive dampers and increased torsional stiffness contributed to its nimble and balanced driving experience. Fuel consumption was estimated at 9.8 L/100 km combined.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was designed for ease of use, with controls that were intuitive and accessible. The centre console housed the shifter, cupholders, and storage, while the front seats offered increased legroom and hip room. However, the rear seat had reduced legroom and overall passenger volume compared to competitors, with a trunk capacity of 428 litres. The addition of AWD did not compromise interior space, as Toyota made structural modifications to maintain the same rear seat and trunk dimensions.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined centre console, with controls inspired by the NSX. The console featured a mini touchpad for infotainment, cupholders, and a storage cubby. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front sport bucket seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability, with options for Ultrasuede or perforated leather. The second row folded in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 382-litre trunk.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM. The infotainment system, while functional, felt dated with low-resolution graphics. The standard 7-inch screen could be upgraded to 8 inches, and higher trims offered a 10-inch head-up display. The Camry also featured Remote Connect for smartphone integration and a multi-information display in the instrument panel.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with advanced performance technologies like drive-by-wire and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured several control technologies for optimized driving. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting themes and an ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system for an immersive experience. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade added a head-up display and a G-Metre and Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2020 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense, including a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was optional, and higher trims offered Bird's Eye View for enhanced parking safety. The Camry received a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. A recall for engine coolant leaks affected some models.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design. It also included a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, and traffic-sign recognition. The TLX earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.