2020 Acura TLX vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

A few years ago, Acura revamped the TLX midsize sedan's design, resulting in a more attractive, albeit somewhat nondescript, vehicle. The 2020 TLX, especially with the A-Spec option package, featured enhancements like 19-inch wheels, revised bumpers, side sill skirts, and oversized exhaust outlets. The limited-edition PMC Edition, painted in Valencia Red Pearl and built by the same technicians who assemble the NSX supercar, stood out with unique body-color and gloss black exterior accents. Priced at $50,945, the PMC Edition was the pinnacle of the TLX lineup, while non-PMC models started at $33,995.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, known for its restrained design, received a minor refresh that gave it a sleeker appearance. The updated model featured streamlined LED headlights, a larger twin-kidney grille, trapezoidal tailpipes, and new L-shaped taillights. The M Sport Package added new front and rear bumpers. Despite being 1.2 inches longer, the 5 Series maintained a drag coefficient of 0.27. The interior retained the familiar BMW layout, with high-quality materials and a specific BMW style evident in the positioning of the touchscreen, shifter, and other details. The 540i xDrive test car featured Nappa leather and aluminum trim, enhancing the luxurious feel.

The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition came with the top-performing powertrain, featuring a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the SH-AWD system. This setup provided a steady build-up of power, with 267 lb-ft of torque arriving at 4,500 rpm. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing the car's handling dynamics. The TLX felt comfortable and quiet during daily driving, with a firm but not too stiff ride. It returned 23 mpg on the testing loop, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options. The base 530i had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, and reaching 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive. The M550i xDrive and M5 models offered even more power, with the M5 Competition boasting 617 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 288 hp and achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The 2020 Acura TLX provided a comfortable and high-quality interior, with supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and ample room for front passengers. Rear occupants also enjoyed favorable accommodations, with air-conditioning vents and available heated seats. However, the trunk space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, which was more in line with compact cars.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a sedan in the U.S., offered spacious front seats and adequate rear-seat room. The 540i had a 14.0-cubic-foot trunk, slightly more than its rivals, and a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench for longer items. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with heating, ventilation, and lumbar support. Despite the array of features, the seats provided supportive bolstering. Forward visibility was poor due to the long hood, but the surround-view camera system helped with parking.

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. Climate control buttons were mixed with touchscreen functions, and the glossy coating on some buttons made them hard to read. The voice-recognition system was subpar, and the navigation graphics were outdated. However, the Acura/ELS premium audio system sounded good, and the car had Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the latest iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile feel, and voice control responded to "Hey BMW." Gesture controls were available but less precise. The graphics were excellent, but the instrument cluster layout could have been better, with a power meter replacing the tachometer in non-sport modes.

The 2020 Acura TLX had mixed safety ratings. It received 5-star ratings from the NHTSA but did not qualify for an IIHS Top Safety Pick due to an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. However, the systems lacked smoothness and refinement compared to more modern vehicles.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a Top Safety Pick+ award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist. BMW's driver-assist tech was sophisticated and smooth, with the traffic-jam assist feature allowing for stop-and-go driving on highways.