2020 Acura TLX vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

A few years ago, Acura revamped the TLX midsize sedan's design, resulting in a more attractive, albeit somewhat anonymous, car. The 2020 TLX, especially with the A-Spec option package, featured go-faster visual upgrades like 19-inch wheels, revised bumper designs, side sill skirts, and oversized round exhaust outlets. The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition, limited to 360 units, stood out with its dazzling Valencia Red Pearl paint and unique body-color and gloss black exterior accents. Hand-built in Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, the PMC Edition was priced at $50,945, while non-PMC models started at $33,995.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements like the “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille. The Maxima distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and massive grille, giving it an Art Deco locomotive appearance. The 40th Anniversary Edition featured a two-tone exterior, Ruby Slate Gray Pearl paint, black roof, model-specific 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, and red semi-aniline leather upholstery. The interior was dressed up with white speedometer and tachometer faces and heated rear seats, adding a stylish and functional touch.

The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition came with the top-performing powertrain, featuring a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine, 9-speed automatic transmission, and torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. This setup provided a steady build-up of power, with 267 pound-feet of peak torque arriving at 4,500 rpm. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of total engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing the car's agility. The TLX offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with sophisticated amplitude reactive dampers and somewhat heavy steering. During testing, the TLX returned 23 mpg, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Maxima felt quick and the V6 engine sounded great, with the CVT responding more quickly than some conventional automatics. However, the Maxima's steering lacked feel and precision, and the front end lacked grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these issues, the Maxima was agile for a big sedan and provided a quiet and comfortable ride during highway cruising, thanks to active noise cancellation and a fairly stiff suspension.

The 2020 Acura TLX offered a high-quality interior with supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and plenty of room for the driver and front passenger. Rear occupants enjoyed favorable accommodations with air-conditioning vents and available heated rear cushions. However, the trunk space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, which was more in line with compact cars than midsize sedans.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima provided generous front headroom and legroom, but rear-seat passengers had less space, with rear headroom near the bottom of the class and the worst rear legroom among full-size sedans. The seats were positioned far inboard, creating a cramped feeling despite the generous front space. The Maxima featured Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” front seats, designed for optimum support, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. The trunk space was also limited to 14.3 cubic feet, the least among its competitive set.

The 2020 Acura TLX's dual-screen infotainment system was a major drawback, with a non-touchscreen top display and a touchscreen bottom display, causing distraction and frustration. The system's layout was confusing, with some climate functions included on the bottom touchscreen and buttons that were difficult to read. However, the Acura/ELS premium audio system sounded good, and the car featured a smartphone charger, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. However, the system's graphics looked dated, and small icons made it difficult to navigate menus while driving. The Maxima also featured an 11-speaker Bose audio system and plenty of analog controls, including shortcut buttons for most touchscreen menus and knobs for climate control and audio volume/tuning.

The 2020 Acura TLX received 5-star ratings in every test conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it did not qualify for a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test on the driver’s side. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation systems. However, these systems lacked smoothness and refinement compared to more modern vehicles.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Maxima did not have the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.