2021 Acura TLX vs 2022 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan that stood out in a crowded class. Its assertive stance was highlighted by a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front of the TLX was bold, featuring a grille pattern that seemed to radiate 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, with tasteful badging and chrome accents enhancing its premium look. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials and a well-organized dash. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, contributing to the car's sophisticated interior design.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD turned heads with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, exclusive to the performance-tuned model. This bold colour was part of a few updates for 2022, alongside standard heated side mirrors and a new Nightshade Edition package for the SE Hybrid trim. The Camry offered 13 different versions, with prices ranging from $27,750 to $41,390. The TRD model featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, and red accents, making it unmistakable. While the styling was dramatic, the interior was less polarizing, with an unusual dashboard layout. However, the red gauge illumination and other red accents were considered tacky by some. Despite its bold appearance, the Camry TRD delivered on performance, unlike the flashy but underwhelming Pontiacs of the past.

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 range of drive modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, allowing drivers to tailor the car's performance to their preferences. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX boasted improved torsional stiffness and suspension rigidity, contributing to its nimble handling and balanced weight distribution. During test drives, the TLX impressed with its eager character and inspiring handling, particularly in Sport mode, which minimized turbo lag and enhanced the exhaust note.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a robust 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The TRD model included a Sport transmission mode, paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode to enhance throttle response and steering effort. The Camry TRD's track-tuned dynamics were supported by increased torsional rigidity, stiffer suspension components, and larger brakes. Despite its sporty nature, the Camry TRD maintained a comfortable ride, with excellent brake pedal feel and modulation. However, the lack of all-wheel drive was a drawback, as the front-wheel-drive setup could lead to tire squeal during aggressive driving. Overall, the Camry TRD offered impressive performance for its price, with a solid and planted feel on the road.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined centre console design, featuring a control panel inspired by the NSX. This setup freed up space for a mini touchpad, cupholders, and storage cubby. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front sport bucket seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability, with heated and ventilated options available. The second row folded down in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 382-litre trunk.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD's front seats, while lacking additional bolstering, provided a comfortable and sporty driving position. The back seat comfortably seated two adults, but the TRD model lacked rear-seat air vents and a folding back seat. The fixed rear seatback limited access to the 428-litre trunk, which was smaller than some competitors. However, the Camry offered generous in-cabin storage, with a large bin under the centre armrest and ample stash space throughout the vehicle.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD systems. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control for optimized performance. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting themes and the impressive 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 on the instrument panel.

The 2022 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Camry XSE and TRD models featured a 9-inch touchscreen with additional subscription services and a 9-speaker JBL audio system. While the Camry TRD lacked dynamic navigation and voice recognition, it supported Siri and Google Assistant through smartphone integration. Other Camry models offered a head-up display and a 360-degree surround-view monitoring system, but these were not available on the TRD.

The 2021 Acura TLX included a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also 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 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and more. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the TRD and XSE trims. The Camry received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in all NHTSA evaluations.