2023 Acura TLX vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, largely unchanged since its 2020 redesign, presented a sleek, modern exterior reminiscent of a downsized Altima. Its low-slung, coupe-like design marked a significant improvement over earlier models, which had a more cartoonish appearance. The Sentra was available in various bold colors, including blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with options for a contrasting black roof. Inside, the Sentra's cabin was a highlight, featuring a modern yet straightforward layout with easy-to-use controls and a visually appealing touchscreen centerpiece.

The 2023 Acura TLX, redesigned for the 2021 model year, faced challenges due to the pandemic and supply chain constraints. Despite these hurdles, the TLX stood out with its dramatic styling, based on a concept vehicle that introduced a new design language for Acura. The car's long, low, and lean profile gave it a rear-wheel-drive look, although it used a front-wheel-drive platform. Inside, the TLX featured a layered dashboard design that emphasized width but sacrificed some practicality. The control layout required a learning curve, causing unnecessary distraction.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While the engine wasn't particularly outstanding, the CVT managed power well, providing solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps decently but struggled with harsher conditions. Overall, the Sentra was great for commuting, city driving, and occasional road trips.

The 2023 Acura TLX offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the trim and drivetrain, this engine returned between 24 and 25 mpg in combined driving. The TLX featured multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with the Type S adding a Sport+ mode. The Type S model, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, could accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. However, the TLX's brake-by-wire system proved less satisfying, especially during spirited driving, causing a mismatch between driver inputs and actual braking.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, better than many small sedans but slightly less than the Kia Forte's 15.3 cubic feet. The trunk could be expanded with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, although the ledge created by the bench made sliding larger items through more difficult. The Sentra's front seats offered plenty of headroom and legroom, while the rear seats provided solid legroom and decent headroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, with ample cupholders and trays in the center console.

The 2023 Acura TLX Type S offered a choice of interior colors, including Ebony, Red, and Orchid, with premium Milano leather and artificial suede inserts. The front sport seats were 16-way power-adjustable, with heating and ventilation, providing excellent comfort. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, with narrow doors and limited legroom. The TLX's trunk held 13.5 cubic feet of cargo, more in line with a compact car than a midsize model, but a flat trunk floor and enclosed trunk hinges helped maximize space.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen. The system's menu navigation was easy to follow, with conventional hard buttons and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback.

The 2023 Acura TLX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was a source of frustration. The 10.2-inch display was not touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a touchpad and buttons on the center console, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The TTI's one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and display screen proved distracting. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to AcuraLink connected services. Higher trims offered wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and premium audio systems. However, the TLX lacked Alexa Built-In and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came equipped with a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features on our test model included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Acura TLX came standard with AcuraWatch, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors. The Type S included rain-sensing wipers and a wiper de-icer system. The TLX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.