2021 Acura TLX vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

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 central Acura logo and distinctive "jewel eye" LED headlights. The rear was completed with twin trapezoidal tailpipes. The paint quality was exceptional, and the tasteful use of chrome and badging added to its premium appeal. 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, enhancing the interior's modern and cohesive design.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, maintained its modern, low-slung, coupe-like appearance into 2022. It was a significant improvement over earlier models, adopting Nissan's current design language. The Sentra was available in various bold colours, though our test model was a more subdued grey. Inside, the Sentra excelled with a simple yet modern layout that balanced form and function. The controls were user-friendly, and the centre dash featured a trio of vents for an upscale look. The touchscreen infotainment system was a focal point, with the SV and SR trims offering an 8-inch screen. The Sentra's interior was practical, with ample storage and comfortable seating.

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 improved torsional stiffness and suspension rigidity, contributing to its solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces. During test drives, the TLX demonstrated agile handling and a spirited character, particularly in Sport mode.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. It came standard with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with a CVT available. The Sentra's engine was adequate, with the CVT providing smooth power delivery. The Sport button on the shifter offered minimal performance enhancement, but the Sentra's base setup provided satisfactory acceleration for both city and highway driving. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its suspension handled most road conditions well, making it a reliable choice for commuting and road trips.

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. This setup freed up space for a mini touchpad, cupholders, and storage. The TLX's rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with the second row folding in a 60/40 split to access the 382-litre trunk. The front seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability, with options for heated and ventilated seats.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 404 litres of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. However, the rear bench created a ledge, complicating the loading of larger items. The trunk could be opened remotely via the key fob or a dash button. The Sentra's interior offered spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom in the front and decent space in the rear. The centre console featured cupholders and trays, while the front row had large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders.

The 2021 Acura TLX was rich in technology, featuring drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD systems. The 10-speed automatic transmission included Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting and the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade added a head-up display and a G-Metre and Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. However, the graphics were dated, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto was absent. Despite these drawbacks, the Sentra's infotainment system was functional and straightforward.

The 2021 Acura TLX included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design. It featured a robust body structure, airbags, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. New safety features for 2021 included a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, and traffic-sign recognition. The TLX received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered standard driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with high ratings for its driver-assistance features.