2022 Acura TLX vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Acura TLX presented itself as a luxury sedan with a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger class vehicle. Its dimensions exceeded those of the BMW 3 Series, with a width advantage of over 7.5 centimetres, and a track width that was nearly 7.5 centimetres wider at the rear and almost 5 centimetres at the front. The TLX's design featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a V-shaped front bumper, contributing to its substantial appearance. The Type S variant added unique elements like the Tiger Eye Pearl paint and 20-inch Y-spoke gray alloy wheels, enhancing its sporty aesthetic. Despite its exterior size, the TLX's interior was compact, with impressive detailing and a snug fit. The Type S models offered faux-suede inserts and red stitching, adding a touch of daring design not commonly found in competitors.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, maintained its modern, coupe-like appearance into 2022. It resembled a downsized Altima, with a sleek and contemporary design that was a significant improvement over its predecessors. The Sentra was available in various bold colours, including blue, burnt orange, and Scarlett Ember, with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra excelled with a modern and functional layout, featuring easy-to-use controls and a prominent touchscreen. The Sentra's trims, including S, SV, and SR, offered a range of features, from basic amenities to more advanced options like an 8-inch touchscreen and intelligent cruise control. The SR trim added sporty elements like 18-inch alloy wheels and unique bumper designs, while special editions like the Midnight Edition package provided dark accents for a distinctive look.

The 2022 Acura TLX was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 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), enhancing 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 contributed to its balanced and predictable performance, especially on the track. The Type S offered a sporty driving experience with minimal turbo lag and a Sport+ driving mode, although its exhaust note was considered subdued. Fuel efficiency for the Type S was moderate, with city and highway ratings of 12.3 and 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, respectively.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came with a standard six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, with an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Sentra's engine provided satisfactory performance, with solid low-end acceleration and consistent high-and-low-speed performance. The steering was well-weighted, and the suspension handled most road conditions adequately. The Sentra was well-suited for commuting and occasional road trips, offering a comfortable and reliable driving experience.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, had a tight interior for four passengers. The back seat offered decent headroom but limited legroom, while the front seats were comfortable with adjustable features. The TLX's infotainment system featured a unique touchpad interface, requiring some acclimation. Trunk space was limited at 382 litres, and the overall interior space could have been better utilized.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 404 litres of trunk space, surpassing many small sedans. The trunk could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, although it created a ledge that could hinder loading larger items. The Sentra's interior offered spacious seating in both rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and cupholders, enhancing practicality.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, although some typefaces were small and difficult to read. The TLX offered a head-up display on the Platinum Elite trim, along with heated rear seats and a 360-degree camera. The ELS Studio premium audio system was available on higher trims, providing excellent sound quality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of driver assistance features.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with easy menu navigation and conventional hard buttons. While the graphics could use updating, the system was user-friendly. The Sentra lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were becoming more common in non-luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Acura TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It featured standard knee airbags, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. It received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, earning a "Top Safety Pick" award.