2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan that stood out in a crowded class. Its assertive stance was highlighted by a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front featured a bold grille pattern radiating from the central Acura logo, flanked by horizontal "jewel eye" LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes added to its sporty appeal. The paint quality was exceptional, with tasteful badging and chrome accents enhancing its premium look. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials like metal, leather, and open-pore wood. The dash was well-organized, and the 10.2-inch infotainment screen was elegantly integrated, providing a seamless and visually appealing interior.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, showcased an athletic exterior with crisp lines and a bold V-Motion grille. Its expressive headlights gave it a serious look, and the available two-tone paint schemes added flair. The Sentra's design was further accentuated by a bulging hood, fast roofline, and muscular wheel arches. Inside, the Sentra featured a spacious layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen on SV and SR trims. The flat-bottomed steering wheel added a sporty touch, and the second row offered ample space for two passengers. The trunk provided 404 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40 split rear seat for added versatility.

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 distinct driving modes—Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual—allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for enhanced ride quality. The TLX boasted improved torsional stiffness and suspension rigidity, resulting in a solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces. During test drives, the TLX demonstrated nimble handling and a spirited character, with Sport mode enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. It came with front-wheel drive and an Xtronic CVT, with manual transmission options available in Canada. The Sentra's lightweight design contributed to its agility, and the CVT provided adequate performance for daily driving. Fuel consumption was efficient, with ratings of 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway for S and SV models. The Sentra's suspension and steering offered tidy road manners and enjoyable cornering. While not as powerful as the TLX, the Sentra's performance was well-suited for its intended purpose.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined centre console, featuring a control panel inspired by the NSX. The console housed a mini touchpad for infotainment control, along with cupholders and storage cubbies. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with fold-down capability for trunk access. The front sport bucket seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability, with heated and ventilated options. The TLX's trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space, with a wide opening for easy loading.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was thoughtfully designed, with well-placed features and a traditional gear selector lever. The centre console included open cupholders, a large glove compartment, and covered storage. Connectivity options included USB ports and a 12-volt outlet. The Sentra's Zero Gravity front seats offered comfort for long journeys, with heated options available. The SR Premium grade added power-adjustable seats and a moonroof. The Sentra's trunk offered 404 litres of cargo space, with a split-folding rear seat for added flexibility.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with advanced performance technologies, 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 for optimized performance. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting themes and the 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 featured a head-up display and a G-Metre 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. The SR Premium offered a Bose system with eight speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the S and an 8-inch touchscreen on SV and SR trims. While navigation was not available, smartphone integration provided access to navigation apps.

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 comprehensive airbag system. The TLX received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a robust array of safety features, including an advanced airbag system, LATCH system, and zone body construction. The Sentra's tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert was a standout feature. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provided driver assistance features like forward collision warning and blind-spot warning. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.