2022 Acura TLX vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan segment with its bold and distinctive design, a result of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language. The car featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, creating an appealing and unique look. A notable design element was the Z-shaped dent in the doors, which broke conventional design rules and added character to the vehicle. This controversial cue, according to Hyundai's senior designer Davis Lee, was intended to make the Elantra stand out, and it succeeded in doing so. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trim levels, offering a range of options from the Essential to the Ultimate, with hybrid powertrains available in the Preferred and Ultimate grades. The interior of the Elantra was driver-focused, with a clear delineation between driver and passenger areas. The Ultimate trim, particularly in Gray, offered a modern and upscale look, with light gray seats and trim contrasting against the black cabin, creating a Scandinavian feel. However, lower-grade interiors with black leatherette inserts appeared drab in comparison.

The 2022 Acura TLX, on the other hand, presented a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a luxury sedan from a larger class. Its design was characterized by thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a V-shaped front bumper, giving it a big-body sedan appearance. The TLX was more than 22 centimetres longer than the BMW 3 Series, with a low-slung hood adding to its substantial presence. The Type S variant added exclusive features like the Tiger Eye Pearl paint and 20-inch Y-spoke gray alloy wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The TLX's interior, though snug, was impressively detailed, with a narrow centre console and angled air vents. Upper trims featured ambient lighting and soft, finely grained surfaces, creating a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe. The TLX's infotainment system, however, required acclimation due to its unique touchpad interface, which was not as intuitive as a traditional touchscreen.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, with the standard model featuring a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra N, a high-performance variant, boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine generating 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed wet DCT. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, producing 139 horsepower and offering impressive fuel efficiency. The Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivered 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, providing a sporty driving experience. The Elantra's handling was commendable, with the N Line and N models offering sport-tuned suspensions and enhanced driving dynamics.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX's Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system provided excellent stability and handling precision, especially in the Type S variant, which featured a 3.0-litre turbo V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The TLX's double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers contributed to its balanced and predictable handling. The Type S offered a sporty driving experience with its broad torque, minimal turbo lag, and Sport+ driving mode. However, the regular TLX was more softly sprung and did not exhibit the same sport sedan characteristics as the Type S.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat enhancing utility. However, the absence of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight for four passengers inside. The back seat offered decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats, especially in the Type S, were comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and thigh extension. The TLX's trunk space was mediocre at 382 litres, less than a Honda Civic, due to the space taken up by the double-wishbone suspension. The TLX's infotainment system required acclimation due to its unique touchpad interface, but the climate control was straightforward.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Ultimate trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, though it lacked wireless smartphone integration. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system and a 64-colour ambient lighting system in higher trims.

The 2022 Acura TLX's infotainment interface was simple and quick, though some typefaces were too small to read. The TLX offered a head-up display on the Platinum Elite trim, and features like heated rear seats, 360-degree cameras, and a heated steering wheel were available on higher trims. The ELS Studio premium audio system with 17 speakers was included on the A-Spec, Platinum Elite, and Type S trims. The TLX also featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a full suite of driver assistance features called AcuraWatch.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most Elantra models were equipped with SmartSense, Hyundai’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Elantra also offered cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It featured standard knee airbags, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were included on the Tech trim and higher.