Nissan Maxima vs Acura TLX

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set a bold design precedent for other Nissan models. Its distinctive styling, featuring a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, was later adopted by smaller models like the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima stood out with its steeply-angled front end and massive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, offered elements like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim on the SR grade, enhancing its bold appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura TLX presented a wide and long stance, akin to a luxury sedan of a larger class. Its dimensions surpassed those of the BMW 3 Series, with a wider track and a longer body, giving it a substantial presence. The TLX's design featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, contributing to its big-body sedan look. The Type S variant added unique elements like Tiger Eye Pearl paint and 20-inch Y-spoke gray alloy wheels, inspired by the Acura NSX, enhancing its sporty appeal. Despite its size, the TLX maintained a sleek and modern design, with minimal concessions to current trends.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While it wasn't a "four-door sports car," the Maxima delivered a quick and enjoyable driving experience, with a responsive CVT that outperformed some conventional automatic transmissions. However, its steering lacked precision, and the front end struggled with grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima offered a comfortable ride with a quiet cabin, thanks to active noise cancellation.

The 2022 Acura TLX, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, generating 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, mated to 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 boasted a 3.0-litre turbo V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, offering impressive track performance. The TLX's double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers provided consistent grip and balanced handling, while the Brembo brakes ensured strong stopping power. Although the exhaust note was subdued, the TLX delivered a refined and engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, rear-seat passengers faced limited space, with rear headroom and legroom among the lowest in its class. The Maxima's interior design focused on the driver, with a low window line and large mirrors providing excellent visibility. The "Zero Gravity" front seats, inspired by NASA research, offered optimal support and comfort, though more thigh bolstering would have been appreciated. The Maxima's trunk space was limited to 405 litres, falling short compared to hatchback competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, offered a snug interior for four passengers. The back seat provided decent headroom but lacked legroom, while the front seats were comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and a low driving position. The TLX's true touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it differed from traditional touchscreens. Trunk space was modest at 382 litres, with the double-wishbone suspension taking up additional space. Despite these limitations, the TLX's interior featured high-quality materials and a well-organized layout.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's infotainment system, while covering basic features, showed its age in terms of functionality. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the system's graphics appeared dated, and small icons made navigation challenging. The Maxima offered analog controls for climate and audio, but the notification sounds were jarring and unavoidable. An 11-speaker Bose audio system was standard, providing decent sound quality.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The TLX offered a head-up display on the Platinum Elite trim, allowing interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio premium audio system with 17 speakers was available on higher trims, delivering excellent sound quality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a suite of driver assistance features under AcuraWatch. The TLX's climate control system linked to navigation, adjusting air based on the sun's position.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It featured standard safety technologies under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 banner, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Acura TLX also achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. It included standard safety features such as lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The TLX offered additional safety technologies like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims, ensuring comprehensive protection for occupants.