2022 Acura TLX vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a luxury sedan from a larger class. It was notably wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a track width nearly three inches wider at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a V-shaped front bumper, giving it a distinctive look. The Type S variant added unique elements like the Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The interior, though snug, was well-detailed with impressive materials and a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe in the upper trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, low-slung, coupe-like design into 2022. It looked like a downsized Altima, with a well-honed execution of Nissan’s design language. The Sentra was available in bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and “Scarlet Ember,” with the option of a contrasting black roof. The interior was a highlight, featuring a modern yet simple layout with easy-to-use controls and an upscale look. The front cabin was capped off by a touchscreen that served as the visual centerpiece.

The 2022 Acura TLX was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 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 for an additional $2000, 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, and 21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Sentra’s engine and transmission provided solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road conditions well, making the Sentra suitable for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

Inside, the 2022 Acura TLX felt tight despite its large exterior. The back seat offered decent headroom but limited legroom, while the front seats were comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and a thigh extension. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, and the trunk space was mediocre at 13.5 cubic feet. The TLX’s climate control was straightforward, but the touchpad’s complexity and the pushbutton gear selector required some getting used to.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. The front seats offered ample headroom and legroom, while the rear seats provided solid legroom and decent headroom. The Sentra’s front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, with plenty of cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard driver assistance features.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the SV and SR trims featured a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The menu navigation was easy to follow, with conventional hard buttons and volume/tuning dials. However, the graphics needed updating, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto was not available.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included 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 included in the Technology Package and higher trims.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features like forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall score from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, along with a "Top Safety Pick" award.