2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Acura TLX

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 of the TLX was bold, with a 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, and the tasteful use of chrome and badging enhanced its premium look. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with a well-organized dash and high-quality materials. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, contributing to the car's sophisticated interior design.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i xDrive, offered a blend of performance and style. The M340i featured a special-order Barbera Red paint and Cognac-colour SensaTec upholstery, adding to its luxurious feel. The M Performance exterior design included exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and blue brake calipers. The 19-inch wheels and high-performance tires completed its sporty look. Inside, the SensaTec upholstery mimicked leather, and the Cognac colour provided a sharp contrast to the dark cabin. The 3 Series focused on driving enjoyment, with a technical design that emphasized quality materials and complementary tones.

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 a nimble and balanced driving experience, with adaptive dampers available on the Platinum Elite grade. Fuel consumption was estimated at 11.2 L/100 km in the city and 8.0 L/100 km on the highway. The TLX's driving modes allowed for personalization, and Sport mode enhanced the driving experience by reducing turbo lag and improving exhaust sound.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i xDrive boasted a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine with 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control. The M340i accelerated to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and offered impressive handling with its M Sport suspension and optional Adaptive M Suspension. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.4 L/100 km during testing. The M340i provided a thrilling driving experience, with precise steering and a responsive drivetrain, making it a standout in the sports sedan category.

The 2021 Acura TLX's interior design benefited from its shift-by-wire transmission, allowing for a streamlined centre console with a mini touchpad and hand rest. The front sport bucket seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability, with heated and ventilated options available. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, and the trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i offered power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. Rear seat passengers had adequate legroom, and the back seat featured a 40/20/40-split folding design. The trunk offered 481 litres of cargo space, enhancing the car's practicality. The M340i included a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard features.

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. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting and an impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a head-up display available on the Platinum Elite grade.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series featured the optional Digital Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. BMW iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, with multiple control options, including gesture control. The 3 Series included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, with a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system available. The Connected Package Pro offered BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant for voice recognition. A head-up display and advanced driver assistance features were available through optional packages.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It featured a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a full complement of airbags. The TLX received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and city-speed automatic emergency braking. The Traffic Jam Assistant and Emergency Stop Assistant were available for semi-autonomous driving. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.