2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan that stood out in a crowded class. Its design featured an assertive stance, highlighted by a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front of the TLX was bold, with a grille pattern radiating from the central Acura logo and horizontally arrayed "jewel eye" LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes added to its sporty appeal. Inside, the TLX showcased high-quality materials and a driver-focused "sport sedan cockpit." The dash was thoughtfully sectioned, and the use of authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood added to the premium feel. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, enhancing the interior's modern aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a daring and distinctive design, especially with the N Line treatment. Its broad grille and tapered tail made it instantly recognizable. The N Line's restyled front fascia, larger air intakes, and gloss black accents enhanced its sporty look. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system. Inside, the Sonata N Line offered sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, and aluminum pedal covers. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, while the interior materials were a step above its sibling, the Elantra N Line.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with torque vectoring. The TLX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for enhanced ride behaviour. The TLX boasted improved torsional stiffness and suspension mount rigidity, contributing to its nimble handling and balanced weight distribution. During test drives, the TLX demonstrated sprightly character and inspiring handling, with Sport mode reducing turbo lag and enhancing the exhaust note.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a launch control system. The Sonata N Line offered Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's sport-tuned suspension, improved steering, and larger brakes contributed to its dynamic performance. During mountain road tests, the Sonata N Line showcased its added stiffness, responsive steering, and firm underpinnings, providing a thrilling driving experience. Despite being front-wheel drive, the car managed understeer effectively, and the suspension minimized body roll, ensuring a smooth ride.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined centre console design, featuring a control panel inspired by the NSX. The console housed a mini touchpad, cupholders, and a storage cubby. The rear seat offered comfort for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front seats were available with Ultrasuede inserts or perforated leather, offering 12-way or 16-way power adjustability. The trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, offering a balance between comfort and lateral support. The rear seat, while not significantly more spacious than the Elantra N Line, included air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's interior storage was practical, though the centre console design was somewhat inelegant. The trunk offered 453 litres of space, with a hands-free release feature for convenience.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD systems. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting themes and an ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system. 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 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and occasional touch-sensing issues were noted. The system offered Sounds of Nature for stress relief during drives.

The 2021 Acura TLX came 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.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai’s ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The standard Sonata received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though the N Line had not been independently tested.