2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2021 Nissan Altima presented a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, adorned with the Nissan logo at the centre. Its overall shape was sleek and aerodynamic, featuring a sloping "coupe-like" roofline. The body design leaned more towards folds than curves, giving it a taut and trim essence. Despite a slightly old-fashioned look due to its stance, modern features like LED lighting and alloy wheels kept it contemporary. The Altima's fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details. Inside, the dashboard was uncluttered, with an intelligently laid-out 8-inch touchscreen display. As one moved up the trim levels, the interior materials improved, offering a better hand feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a luxury sedan. It was significantly wider than its competitors, with a design that included thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes. The TLX Type S added exclusive features like a unique gold paint colour and 20-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, the TLX was snug, with impressive detailing even in lower trims. The interior featured a narrow centre console with a silver drive mode dial and ambient lighting. The Type S models boasted faux-suede inserts and red stitching, offering a daring design not found in other luxury brands.

The 2021 Nissan Altima was equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It featured Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and standard all-wheel drive, which was a significant advantage in Canada. The AWD system could send up to 50% of the torque to the rear wheels when needed. Fuel consumption ratings were 9.1 L/100 km city, 6.5 highway, and 7.9 combined for the base model. The Altima's suspension setup provided decent feedback and feel, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2022 Acura TLX, on the other hand, offered a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the TLX came standard with Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which enhanced stability and handling precision. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-litre turbo V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The TLX's double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers provided consistent grip and a balanced driving experience. Fuel efficiency for the Type S was 12.3 L/100 km city, 9.8 highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, praised for their comfort on long drives. The front cabin offered ample storage, including a large glovebox and centre console storage bin. The rear seats were roomy, with headroom and legroom for two adults, and the trunk could hold up to 436 litres of cargo.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight for four passengers inside. The back seat had decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with adjustable side bolsters on the Type S. The TLX's trunk space was limited to 382 litres, which was less than some smaller vehicles. The infotainment system required acclimation due to its unique touchpad interface, but the climate control was straightforward.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came with standard tech features like keyless entry, remote engine start, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a Bose audio system on higher trims. The Altima also offered NissanConnect Services with various trial packages.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were small. A head-up display was available on the Platinum Elite trim. The ELS Studio premium audio system was included on higher trims, along with features like wireless charging and a full suite of driver assistance features called AcuraWatch.

The 2021 Nissan Altima was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included features like automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot warning. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Acura TLX also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors.