2021 Acura TLX vs 2022 Acura TLX

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, with its pattern radiating from the central Acura logo, and the jewel eye LED headlights gave it a bold face. 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 a good flow with tight gaps and matching fonts.

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger luxury sedan. It was notably wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a track width nearly three inches wider at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The design included thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, giving it a substantial presence. The Type S variant added unique features like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels. Inside, the TLX was snug but detailed, with a Scandinavian lounge vibe in upper trims. The Type S featured faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with real metal shift paddles.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It had a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire systems. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available. Fuel economy was 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models, and slightly lower for AWD. The TLX offered distinct driving modes and adaptive dampers in the Advance package, making it nimble and fun to drive. It had 50% greater torsional stiffness and up to 100% greater rigidity at the suspension mounts compared to the previous model.

The 2022 Acura TLX also had a 2.0-liter engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. SH-AWD was a $2000 option, enhancing stability and handling precision. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The TLX excelled on the track, with a double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Pirelli P Zero summer tires. The Type S had a subdued exhaust note but offered a balanced and predictable driving experience. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD was slightly better.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined center console with a control panel inspired by the NSX. The center console housed the infotainment interface, a mini touchpad, and two big cupholders. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front seats were supportive and available with perforated Milano leather, offering 12-way power adjustability. The second row folded down in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 13.5 cubic feet trunk.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight for four inside. The back seat had decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with the Type S offering a thigh extension and adjustable side bolsters. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, and the pushbutton gear selector needed new muscle memory. The climate control was straightforward, and the trunk space was 13.5 cubic feet, similar to the 2021 model. The double-wishbone suspension took up more space, limiting interior room.

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 audio system provided excellent sound quality. The infotainment system included navigation, 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 2022 Acura TLX had a simple and quick infotainment interface, but some typefaces were too small. The head-up display was available only with the Advance Package. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included, along with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights and "chicane" running lights. The AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features was standard, offering semi-automated control on marked highways.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with the AcuraWatch suite, 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, passenger knee airbag, pedestrian sensing, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. The 2021 TLX had not yet been tested by IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS and received a five-star overall score from NHTSA. Standard safety features included knee airbags, a unique passenger airbag, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included in the Technology Package and higher trims.