2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan in a competitive class. It featured an assertive stance with a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler. The front end was bold, with a grille pattern radiating from the large Acura logo and horizontal “jewel eye” LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and high-quality paint added to its premium look. Inside, the TLX showcased a “sport sedan cockpit” with authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was well-placed, and the overall design had tight gaps and a cohesive flow.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, entering its eighth generation, sported an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. It offered eight exterior paint colors, including vibrant options like Monarch Orange Metallic and Electric Blue Metallic. The SR trim featured two-tone paint schemes and 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its agile appearance. Inside, the Sentra had a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on higher trims. The flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the second row was spacious for two passengers. The trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a drive-by-wire throttle system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available. Fuel economy was 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for FWD models, and 21/29/24 combined for AWD. The TLX offered distinct driving modes (Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual) and adaptive dampers in the Advance package. It had 50% greater global torsional stiffness and up to 100% greater rigidity at the suspension mounts, providing a solid and balanced feel. During a test drive in Michigan, the TLX demonstrated eager handling and a sprightly character, with Sport mode taming turbo lag and enhancing the exhaust note.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It had front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Fuel economy was 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and 28/37/32 combined for SR models. The Sentra had a four-wheel independent suspension with stabilizer bars and dual-pinion electric steering, resulting in tidy road manners and almost fun cornering. While not fast, the Sentra's 149 hp balanced fuel economy and performance well.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined center console, featuring a control panel modeled after the NSX. The low-profile controls were easy to access, with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The center console housed a mini touchpad, cupholders, and a storage cubby. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front seats were supportive sport buckets with 12-way power adjustability and available perforated Milano leather. The second row folded in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 13.5 cubic feet trunk.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra had well-placed interior features, including an infotainment touchscreen at the top of the center stack and traditional gear selector lever. It offered open cupholders, a big glove compartment, and covered storage beneath the center armrest. Two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port were available. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, with a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats available in higher trims. The Sentra's trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for larger items.

The 2021 Acura TLX was loaded with technology, 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. Ambient interior lighting themes could be customized, and the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system delivered exceptional sound quality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package added a head-up display and a G-Meter and Turbo Boost Indicator on the instrument panel.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's standard audio system included AM/FM/USB with four speakers, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in higher trims. An optional Bose system with eight speakers was available in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the S and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. NissanConnect services offered navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and remote access to vehicle functions. The system could interface with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands and destination searches.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, ultra-high-strength steel front door stiffener rings, airbags, adjustable head restraints, three-point seatbelts, LATCH connectors, ABS, vehicle stability assist, auto-high beam headlights, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. New features for 2021 included a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. Available features included rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The 2021 TLX had not yet been tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received high ratings.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra included a comprehensive array of standard safety features, such as dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, knee airbags, curtain side-impact airbags, three-point seatbelts, LATCH system, zone body construction, hood buckling creases, side-door guard beams, and an energy-absorbing steering column. The tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert was a standout feature. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provided intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-view camera, vehicle dynamic control, intelligent engine brake, active ride control, intelligent trace control, hill-start assist, high-beam assist, and intelligent driver alertness. Higher trims offered intelligent cruise control and a 360-degree camera system. The 2021 Sentra received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.