2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2020 Acura TLX

A few years ago, Acura revamped the TLX midsize sedan's design, addressing a previous aesthetic issue that had affected the entire lineup. The 2020 TLX emerged as a handsome, albeit somewhat anonymous, vehicle. The A-Spec option package enhanced its styling with 19-inch wheels, revised bumpers, side sill skirts, and oversized exhaust outlets. The 2020 TLX PMC Edition, limited to 360 units, featured a striking Valencia Red Pearl paint and unique exterior accents, hand-built by the same technicians who assemble the NSX supercar. The PMC Edition was priced at $50,945, while non-PMC models started at $33,995, with recommended upgrades pushing the price to just under $40,000.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which had featured bold styling elements like large round headlights and box fender flares. Both the sedan and hatchback versions sported sleek headlights and taillights, a tapered front end, and subtle body scalloping. The Impreza Sport models stood out with 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models had 16-inch steel wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Impreza shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, contributing to its overall refinement. The interior, though not particularly exciting, offered practical features like contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals in the Sport trim, with the Limited trim adding leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition boasted the top-performing powertrain in the TLX lineup, featuring a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. This setup replaced the standard 206-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The V6 engine delivered 267 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm, providing a steady build-up of power. 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 offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with sophisticated dampers and well-behaved transmission. During testing, the TLX achieved 23 mpg, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models featured a CVT, while a five-speed manual transmission was available on select trims. The Impreza Sport trim included model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the AWD system. While the Impreza provided a solid and refined ride, it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport trim offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the engine's lack of power and noncommunicative steering limited its appeal as a driver's car.

The 2020 Acura TLX excelled in interior quality and comfort, with supple leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and ample room for front passengers. Rear occupants also enjoyed favorable accommodations, including 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 rather than midsize sedans.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both the sedan and hatchback versions, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan's trunk space was limited to 12.3 cubic feet, but the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Impreza also featured a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat and roof rails on all hatch trims except the base model. Higher trims included an All-Weather Package, keyless entry, a power driver’s seat, and automatic climate control.

The 2020 Acura TLX's dual-screen infotainment system was a major drawback, with a non-touchscreen top display and a touchscreen bottom display, leading to confusion and frustration. The system's layout and controls were not user-friendly, and the voice-recognition system was subpar. However, the Acura/ELS premium audio system and smartphone charger were notable positives, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a more straightforward infotainment system, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on base and Premium trims, and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. An option package for the Limited trim added navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The secondary display above the main touchscreen provided additional information but seemed somewhat redundant. Overall, the Impreza's infotainment system was easy to use, with large icons and minimal menu digging required.

The 2020 Acura TLX's aging architecture was reflected in its safety ratings. It did not qualify for an IIHS Top Safety Pick due to an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test but earned 5-star ratings in all NHTSA tests. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. However, these systems lacked the refinement and sophistication of more modern vehicles.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, with Good scores in all crash tests. It missed out on a Top Safety Pick+ due to Marginal headlight ratings, though the Limited trim's headlights received a Good rating. The Impreza also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features on CVT-equipped models included Subaru’s EyeSight suite, with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights.