2020 Acura TLX vs 2019 Toyota Prius

The 2019 Toyota Prius was not known for its looks. Its design, especially the fourth-generation model introduced in 2016, was considered more extroverted but arguably less appealing. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Prius offered a practical solution for daily driving with a range of trim levels and an optional all-wheel-drive system. The interior, while unusual, centralized all controls and featured a mix of modern and dated elements. The gloss black trim, however, was a dust magnet.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura TLX, especially with the A-Spec option package, presented a more handsome and sporty appearance. The PMC Edition, hand-built in Ohio, stood out with its Valencia Red Pearl paint and unique exterior accents. The TLX's design updates made it a more attractive option, though its interior layout, particularly the dual-screen infotainment system, was criticized for being confusing and outdated.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a rear electric motor, which provided extra traction at low speeds. However, this system reduced fuel economy to 50 mpg, compared to the standard front-drive model's 52 mpg. The Prius offered a smooth ride and decent handling, with a CVT that was mostly unobtrusive. It also featured an EV mode for low-speed, all-electric driving and blended regenerative brakes for efficient energy recuperation.

The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition came with a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. This setup provided a thrilling driving experience, especially in Sport and Sport+ modes. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance. The TLX's automatic transmission was well-behaved, and the car offered a firm yet comfortable ride. On the testing loop, the TLX returned 23 mpg, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered comfortable seating for four adults, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and heated front seats. Rear passengers had decent legroom but lacked air conditioning vents. The Prius's trunk provided up to 27.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the SofTex leatherette upholstery in higher trims could trap sweat, making the interior uncomfortable on hot days.

The 2020 Acura TLX excelled in interior quality and comfort. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and offered perfect positioning. Rear passengers benefited from air-conditioning vents and available heated seats. However, the TLX's trunk was relatively small at 14.3 cubic feet, more in line with compact cars than midsize sedans.

The 2019 Toyota Prius's most advanced infotainment system was limited to the Limited trim, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a premium JBL sound system. The standard setup in the XLE AWD-e test car included a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a CD player. The Prius's instrumentation was a mix of modern and outdated displays, and it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Acura TLX's dual-screen infotainment system was a major drawback. The top display was not a touchscreen, while the bottom one was, leading to confusion and frustration. The system's layout and controls were poorly designed, and the voice-recognition system was subpar. However, the TLX did include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium audio system.

The 2019 Toyota Prius came with standard Toyota Safety Sense, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Prius received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2020 Acura TLX featured adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. However, its ADAS lacked the refinement of more modern systems. The TLX earned 5-star ratings from the NHTSA but did not qualify for a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test.