2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan that stood out in a crowded class. Its assertive stance was highlighted by a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front of the TLX was bold, featuring a grille pattern that seemed to radiate from the central Acura logo, flanked by horizontal "jewel eye" LED headlights. The rear was completed with twin trapezoidal tailpipes. The paint quality was exceptional, and the tasteful badging and chrome accents added to its premium appeal. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with a well-organized dash, authentic materials, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen that appeared to float above the dash. The interior was meticulously crafted, with tight gaps and matching fonts, providing a seamless and visually engaging experience.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, marking a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup with its standard front-wheel drive. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The car's design included visual tricks to balance its proportions, such as large LED headlights and a tapering roofline. Inside, the 2 Series adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim providing contrast, and the optional leather added a touch of luxury. Despite being an entry-level BMW, the 2 Series Gran Coupe did not compromise on its premium feel.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a drive-by-wire throttle system and a shift-by-wire connection to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available on all models. The TLX offered an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models, and 21/29/24 combined for AWD. The TLX's performance was enhanced by its Integrated Dynamics System, allowing drivers to select from Comfort, Normal, Sport, or Individual modes. The Advance package added adaptive dampers, further refining the ride. The TLX boasted 50% greater global torsional stiffness and up to 100% greater rigidity at the suspension mounts, contributing to its solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive model, featured a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and optional AWD. BMW claimed a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds for the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe. The car included performance-enhancing technologies such as brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and three driving modes. In Sport mode, the 2 Series Gran Coupe delivered a lively performance, with paddle shifters and a more engaging exhaust note. The M Sport Package equipped the car with M Sport steering, providing swift, sharp, and direct handling. The suspension was firm, offering a glued-to-the-road feel, although the all-season run-flat tires squealed at the limit of adhesion. The 2 Series Gran Coupe averaged 27.9 mpg on a testing loop, surpassing the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Acura TLX's design choices, such as the shift-by-wire transmission, allowed for a reimagined center console with a control panel inspired by the NSX. The low-profile controls were easy to access, complemented by paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The center console housed a mini touchpad, cupholders, and a storage cubby. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, with adequate head- and legroom, while the front sport bucket seats offered 12-way power adjustability and optional Milano leather. The second row folded in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 13.5 cubic feet trunk with a wide opening.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for two young and limber occupants, with sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats. However, entry and exit were challenging due to the low-slung design. The rear seat was less accommodating, with limited headroom and legroom. The Gran Coupe featured a traditional trunk with 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility, but the car lacked the sportback design of the larger 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The 2021 Acura TLX was rich in technology, with features like drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission included Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control, enhancing performance without driver intervention. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting themes and the impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package added a head-up display compatible with polarized sunglasses, a G-Meter, and a Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch digital display, paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. The infotainment was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe had a premium sound system with ten speakers and an optional Gesture Control feature. The head-up display was helpful, though less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured the AcuraWatch suite, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, airbags, and a multi-angle rear-view camera. New for 2021 were a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, and traffic-sign recognition. Available features included rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view camera. The TLX aimed for top safety ratings, though it had not yet been tested by IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered the Active Driving Assistant, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Driving Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.