2021 Acura TLX vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harkened back to the design of the E-Class from two generations prior, featuring a rounded, smooth body. While some critics felt it was overly streamlined, the resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it a recognizable and respectable member of the Mercedes family. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet forms, the E-Class catered to conservative buyers who appreciated its unshowy nature. The sedan, in particular, looked rich with its traditional hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, though most models sported a large Mercedes emblem in the center of the grille. The LED lighting, from the twin running lamps to the grainy film effect on the tail, added a delicate touch. The proportions, whether on the Luxury model's higher-riding suspension or the sportier versions with ground effects and quad exhausts, always hit a visual sweet spot.

The cabriolet version of the E-Class particularly benefited from the fluid, creaseless form, with the contrasting soft top revealing a sumptuous interior. When specified with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood, the E-Class interior was a delight. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by four circular air vents and a row of knurled silver toggles for climate control. The ambient lighting, available in 64 colors with various animations, added to the luxurious feel. Features like heated armrests, massaging seats, and striking colors made the E-Class a place for solitude and comfort, even in its base form with leatherette and standard seats.

The 2021 Acura TLX stood out in the crowded premium sport sedan class with its assertive stance, steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler. The front grille, with its pattern exploding from the central Acura logo, and the jewel eye LED headlights gave the TLX a bold face. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and top-notch paint quality, along with tasteful badging and chrome hints, enhanced the premium look of the TLX.

Inside, the TLX showcased a high level of quality and attention to detail. Acura's "sport sedan cockpit" design clustered different functions together, using authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was neatly mounted at the top of the center stack, giving a floating appearance. The gaps were tight and even, and the overall design had good flow and visual interest. The TLX's interior was a testament to Acura's commitment to quality and driver-focused design.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of engines, starting with the E350, which replaced the E300. The E350 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The revised turbo design and shorter intake runners provided quicker response, and the E350 held its gears longer regardless of driving mode. In Comfort mode, the E-Class was relaxed, but in Sport and Sport+ modes, it kept the engine in its power band. However, the 4-cylinder engine struggled above 40 mph, making passing maneuvers challenging.

The E450, with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, offered 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, providing a more balanced and effortless performance. The AMG models, including the E53 with 429 horsepower and the E63 S with 603 horsepower, delivered extreme performance with features like adaptive dampers and drift mode. Fuel economy varied from 19 to 32 mpg depending on the powertrain and body style, with the E63 S showing 16/23 mpg.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available on all models. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 22/31/25 mpg for FWD models and 21/29/24 mpg for AWD models.

The TLX's performance was enhanced by technologies like drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and electric power steering, allowing for distinct driving personalities through the Integrated Dynamics System. The Advance package added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX felt nimble and balanced, with a solid and substantial feel over various road surfaces. During a test drive in Michigan, the TLX demonstrated eager and inspiring handling, with Sport mode taming turbo lag and delivering a richer exhaust note.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class continued with the COMAND infotainment system, which could be complicated to use on the car's large screens. The lack of touchscreens was a significant drawback, making tasks like changing audio settings and inputting addresses a multi-step process. The system required familiarity with Mercedes models to navigate effectively, with multiple input methods including thumbpads, a touchpad, and a dial.

Despite the complex infotainment system, the E-Class offered functional features like seat and seat climate controls on the door panels and a front passenger seat that slid forward for extra rear seat space. The interior provided plenty of space and excellent sightlines, with clear and high-res digital gauges. The coupe had a usable rear seat with its own window controls, and the wagon featured a rear-facing jump seat for small children. Practical touches like a net in the front passenger footwell for water bottles added to the functionality.

The 2021 Acura TLX benefited from performance decisions that impacted its form and function. The shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined gear selector mechanism, with low-profile controls on the center stack and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The center console housed the infotainment interface, a mini touchpad with hard buttons, and a hand rest for ease of operation. Two big cupholders were positioned on the passenger's side, and bottle holders were in the door panels. The armrest concealed a good-sized storage cubby.

The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front sport bucket seats, available with perforated Milano leather, offered 12-way power adjustability and four-way power lumbar support. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated seats available in higher trims. The second row folded down in a 60/40 split, providing access to the trunk's 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured advanced technology, including a semi-automated driving system that could steer, change lanes, slow down for curves, and sense nearby objects. The Driver Assistance Package offered a comprehensive list of features. The V2X system communicated with nearby Mercedes models about road hazards. The digital dash could be reconfigured with various display options, and standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Burmester stereo provided surround-sound modes, and the front camera activated automatically when parking. Some features, like the Energizing Comfort Package, added novelty elements like perfume and mood lighting.

The 2021 Acura TLX was loaded with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control, enhancing performance without driver intervention. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting themes and the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition navigation. The Advance Package added a head-up display and a G-Meter and Turbo Boost Indicator on the instrument panel.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were considered equally safe. Innovations included Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during side collisions, and crosswind countermeasures. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, ultra-high-strength steel front door stiffener rings, and a full complement of airbags. New features for 2021 included a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. Available features included rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The 2021 TLX had not yet been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received high ratings.