2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Toyota Prius

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 grille, emanating from the large Acura logo, and the jewel-eye LED headlights gave it a bold face. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and top-notch paint quality added to its premium look. Inside, the TLX showcased high-quality materials and a well-thought-out design. The driver’s position was aptly described as a “sport sedan cockpit,” with a neatly mounted 10.2-inch infotainment screen and authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood.

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design ingrained in its identity since 2004. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius stuck to its unique styling, which wasn’t universally praised. The interior was unconventional, with a strip of displays in the center of the dashboard and a toggle lever for transmission controls. The infotainment pod jutted toward the front seat occupants, and the gloss-black trim attracted dust and fingerprints. The Prius was available in multiple trims, including an AWD option, and offered substantial cargo space for a hatchback.

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 Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available. Fuel economy for FWD models was 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 21/29/24 mpg. The TLX offered distinct driving modes—Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual—thanks to its Integrated Dynamics System. The car’s handling was nimble and balanced, with adaptive dampers in the Advance package enhancing ride behavior. During a test drive in Michigan, the TLX demonstrated eager and sprightly performance, particularly in Sport mode.

The 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving 56 mpg combined according to the EPA. Other FWD models earned 52 mpg combined, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The electric motor’s 120 pound-feet of torque provided lively acceleration from a stop. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with an EV Mode for electric-only driving at low speeds. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and improved handling. Despite its focus on efficiency, the Prius could handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm, though hard acceleration resulted in powertrain drone.

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, and paddle shifters were included on the steering wheel. The center console housed the infotainment interface, a mini touchpad, and two cupholders. 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 Milano leather. The second row folded down in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 13.5 cubic feet trunk.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided sufficient room for adults but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space ranged from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed 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. The TLX also offered multiple ambient lighting themes and the impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package added a head-up display, G-Meter, and Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The digital instrumentation on the dashboard was dated, with basic graphics. The standard stereo speaker sound quality was poor, and road noise often overwhelmed it.

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, multiple airbags, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. New for 2021 were a next-generation front-passenger airbag, passenger knee airbag, pedestrian sensing, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. The TLX had not yet been tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received high ratings.

The 2021 Toyota Prius was upgraded to Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), standard on all trims. TSS 2.0 included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Prius had not been rated by NHTSA for 2021, but IIHS gave it favorable marks.