2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Toyota Camry

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 end was bold, with a grille pattern radiating from the prominent Acura logo, flanked by 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, authentic materials, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen that appeared to float above the dash.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past conservative image with a more dynamic design. It featured flared wheel arches and slim headlights and taillights that visually widened the car. However, the SE and XSE trims had fake vents that added visual clutter, while the LE and XLE trims had a cleaner, albeit large, grille. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of trim elements and materials that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite this, the Camry offered a comfortable and supportive seating experience with excellent outward visibility.

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 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with torque vectoring, standard in Canada. 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 boasted impressive torsional stiffness and rigidity, contributing to its solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque with FWD, and slightly less with AWD. The XSE trim had a dual-exhaust system, increasing output slightly. A 3.5-litre V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque was available, as well as a hybrid option with a total system output of 208 horsepower. The Camry's chassis tuning provided a good balance between handling and ride quality, making it enjoyable to drive. The TRD package offered additional performance enhancements, including a sportier suspension and larger brakes.

The 2021 Acura TLX's design choices, such as the shift-by-wire transmission, allowed for a reimagined centre console with a control panel inspired by the NSX. The interior featured comfortable sport bucket seats with various adjustability options, including heated and ventilated front seats. The rear seat accommodated two adults comfortably, and the trunk offered 382 litres of cargo space with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly compromised. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. The Camry's trunk offered 428 litres of cargo space, which was average for its class. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. The Camry featured analog controls for essential functions, enhancing ease of use.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, including performance features like drive-by-wire and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission had several advanced controls for optimized driving. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting and a premium ELS Studio 3D audio system with 17 speakers. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade featured a head-up display and a G-Metre and Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on select trims. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout graphics. The Camry included USB ports and a 12-volt outlet, though additional plug-in options were not available on higher trims.

The 2021 Acura TLX included a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It featured a robust body structure, multiple airbags, and advanced safety features like pedestrian sensing and forward collision warning. The TLX received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Toyota Camry also earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with the TSS 2.5+ package, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Camry introduced enhanced safety capabilities, such as improved adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. It also featured a Rear Seat Reminder and optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.