2021 Acura TLX vs 2022 Lexus ES

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, fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front grille, with its pattern radiating from the central Acura logo, and the jewel eye LED headlights added to its bold appearance. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and high-quality paintwork, along with tasteful badging and chrome accents, enhanced its premium look. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with a well-organized dash and authentic materials like metal, leather, and open-pore wood. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, contributing to the car's cohesive and visually appealing interior design.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup, had evolved over seven generations. Despite a decline in sales, it remained popular among an older demographic. The ES faced the challenge of attracting younger buyers without alienating its loyal customer base. The latest generation, launched in 2018, was built on the GA-K platform, shared with models like the Lexus RX and Toyota Camry. The ES featured elegant proportions and a sleek roofline, with a prominent spindle grille and assertive headlamp shapes. The interior, while precisely assembled, had an asymmetrical dashboard that felt jumbled. The F Sport package added bold two-tone leather seating, which seemed more sporty than the rest of the car. A small analog chronometer in the dash added to the clutter, attempting to emphasize the ES's heritage.

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 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 50% greater global torsional stiffness and up to 100% greater rigidity at the suspension mounts compared to its predecessor, providing a solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three models with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. The ES 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD was noted for its smooth handling but felt slow compared to its luxury sedan peers. The ES 350's V6 offered more engaging performance, while the ES 300h excelled in fuel economy.

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 console housed a mini touchpad for infotainment, cupholders, and a storage cubby. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with a 60/40 split for trunk access. The trunk offered 382 litres of cargo space, with a wide opening and ample depth. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with options for Ultrasuede or perforated leather.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered 394 litres of cargo space, with a pass-through for long items and a flat-folding second row in the ES 250 and ES 350. The sedan's lower centre of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling compared to SUVs. Inside, the ES featured heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and available semi-aniline leather upholstery. Storage options included bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious glove compartment. The dashboard layout, while functional, was not visually appealing.

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 offered ambient interior lighting themes and an ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade added a head-up display and a G-Metre and Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES featured a touchpad interface, a 10-inch head-up display, and a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist. Lexus Enform services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote Connect.

The 2021 Acura TLX included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design. It featured a next-generation front-passenger airbag, 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 2022 Lexus ES was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, 10 airbags, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.