2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Mazda MAZDA3

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 horizontal "jewel eye" LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes added to its sporty appeal. The paint quality was exceptional, and subtle chrome accents and tasteful badging enhanced its premium look. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with a well-organized dash and high-quality materials. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, contributing to the car's sophisticated interior design.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its award-winning redesign in 2019, continued to impress with its dramatic and sophisticated styling. The sedan version was more conservative, while the hatchback, known as the Mazda3 Sport, had a more aggressive stance. The 2.5 Turbo sedan, which was tested, offered a visually appealing and engaging experience. The expanded 2021 lineup included AWD options and various trim levels, with the test car featuring a Premium Package and Machine Gray Metallic paint. The interior, with its white leather upholstery, showcased Mazda's attention to detail and premium aspirations. Despite some use of hard plastics, the design was driver-focused, with a seamless integration of the Mazda Connect infotainment system.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It featured a drive-by-wire throttle system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with torque vectoring was standard in Canada, enhancing its sporty performance. Fuel consumption was estimated at 11.2 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 L/100 km on the highway. The TLX offered a dynamic driving experience with its Integrated Dynamics System, allowing drivers to choose between Comfort, Normal, Sport, or Individual modes. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX's increased torsional stiffness and suspension rigidity contributed to its solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane. It was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system. The turbocharged powertrain added minimal weight while significantly boosting performance. The Mazda3 Turbo's Sport mode enhanced transmission shifts and cornering capabilities, providing a smooth and predictable driving experience. The car's improved steering feel and stiffer front suspension springs contributed to its sporty character. Despite using the same brakes as non-turbo models, the Mazda3 Turbo was finely tuned for driving pleasure. During testing, it averaged 11.5 L/100 km, slightly above the estimated 8.8 L/100 km in combined driving.

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 the infotainment interface, a mini touchpad, and cupholders positioned for convenience. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front sport bucket seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability, with heated seats standard and ventilated seats available. The second row folded in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 382-litre trunk with a wide opening and ample depth.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior, lined in leather with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, exuded luxury. However, it lacked some premium features, such as front seat ventilation and rear-seat amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. In-cabin storage was adequate, and the trunk offered 374 litres of space. The hatchback version provided more utility, with 569 litres behind the rear seats and 1,334 litres with them folded down.

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 for optimized performance. Ambient interior lighting themes added a personalized touch. 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 offered a head-up display and a G-Metre and Turbo Boost Indicator on the instrument panel.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the lack of a touchscreen and subpar voice recognition technology were drawbacks. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose audio system, which offered good sound quality, especially with FLAC files. The Premium Package included a head-up display, visible with polarized sunglasses, showing speed, speed limits, and safety technology status.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It featured a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a full complement of airbags. New safety features for 2021 included a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, and traffic-sign recognition. The TLX received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3's safety philosophy focused on supporting the driver. Its advanced driving assistance systems included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and an Adaptive Front Lighting System. The Premium Package added a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.