2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, had evolved significantly since its debut in 1982. Initially a sub-compact sedan, it transformed over the years into a compact four-door sedan by its fifth generation in 2000. The Sentra's exterior was athletic, marked by sharp lines and a bold V-Motion grille with a prominent Nissan badge. Its expressive headlights and various paint options, including two-tone schemes, added to its dynamic appearance. The interior featured a layered dash with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, textured plastic, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, enhancing both aesthetics and comfort. The second row was spacious for its class, and the trunk offered 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split for larger items.

The 2022 Acura TLX, with its wide and long stance, resembled a luxury sedan of a larger size class. It was notably wider and longer than the BMW 3 Series, with a design that included thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes. The Type S variant added unique features like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The TLX's interior, though snug, was detailed and impressive, with a narrow center console, angled air vents, and aluminum trim. The Type S models featured faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel with real metal shift paddles, offering a sporty and luxurious feel.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for commuting and city driving. Weighing between 3,036 to 3,084 pounds, the Sentra SR was relatively lightweight. Fuel economy was commendable, with 29 mpg city/39 mpg highway/33 mpg combined for S and SV models, and slightly lower for the SR. The Sentra's driving experience was enhanced by its well-sorted CVT, four-wheel independent suspension, and dual-pinion electric steering, offering tidy road manners and almost fun cornering.

The 2022 Acura TLX, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivered 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX offered an optional Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, enhancing stability and handling precision. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Brembo front brakes. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-designed, with features like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, traditional gear selector lever, and ample storage options. It included two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and a 12-volt port, along with big door pockets for convenience. The Zero Gravity front bucket seats provided comfort on long rides, and the Premium Package offered additional features like a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a power-sliding glass moonroof.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, had a tight interior for four passengers. The back seat offered decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with adjustable side bolsters and a low driving position. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, and the pushbutton gear selector was unconventional. The climate control was straightforward, and the trunk space was 13.5 cubic feet, less than expected for its size.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a standard audio system, upgraded to six speakers and SiriusXM in SV and SR models, with an optional Bose system in the SR. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, along with Bluetooth audio and hands-free features. The SV and SR models had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the S had a 7-inch screen. NissanConnect services, available on SR models, included a WiFi hotspot, remote access, and voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, and an ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers. The infotainment interface had small typefaces, making it difficult to read. The TLX included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard features like LED headlights, a garage door opener, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. AcuraWatch, a suite of driver assistance features, was standard.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system with Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Sentra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It included standard knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were available with the Technology Package and higher trims.