2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 Acura TLX had an unmistakably sporty and assertive aesthetic that set it apart in a crowded market of premium sedans. Its stance was distinguished by a steeply raked windshield and a fastback-style roofline that seamlessly transitioned into an integrated tail spoiler. The front fascia was marked by a bold grille that seemed to radiate outward from the Acura logo, complemented by dazzling "jewel eye" LED headlights. At the rear, twin trapezoidal tailpipes added a touch of aggression, while the car’s paint quality and restrained use of chrome communicated a sense of premium quality. Inside, the TLX maintained this high standard of design and materials. Acura referred to the cockpit as a "sport sedan cockpit," and the term was fitting. The dashboard had clearly demarcated sections for various functions, and materials were genuine – metal where it looked like metal, leather where it appeared to be leather. The tight gap tolerances and cohesive font choices added to the visual appeal. A 10.2-inch landscape-oriented infotainment screen was ideally positioned at the top of the center stack, giving the interior a sleek, high-end appearance. In contrast, the 2021 BMW 5 Series opted for a more reserved design, especially compared to its more flamboyant siblings like the 3 Series or the imposing 7 Series. The 5 Series underwent a minor design refresh for the model year, which included more streamlined standard LED headlights and a larger, yet proportionate, twin-kidney grille. L-shaped taillights and reworked bumpers for the M Sport Package gave it a refreshed look, while still retaining an understated elegance. Internally, the 5 Series was quintessentially BMW, with a layout and design that echoed the brand’s identity. The steering wheel alone, with its unique blue and white roundel, was unmistakably BMW. Materials ranged from standard SensaTec upholstery in base models to luxurious Nappa leather in higher trims. Aluminum trim with a scale pattern added to the ambiance, though the sport steering wheel seemed somewhat out of place in an otherwise sophisticated setting.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, delivering an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Utilizing a drive-by-wire throttle system and a 10-speed automatic transmission, the TLX offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and Acura's advanced Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Fuel economy for FWD models was estimated at 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined; AWD models achieved slightly lower figures. At the TLX's launch event in Michigan, test drives revealed an eager and agile car, particularly in the SH-AWD configurations. Sport mode mitigated some turbo lag and enriched the exhaust note, suggesting that with more time, drivers could further fine-tune their experience. The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a greater range of powertrain options. The base 530i model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. Fuel efficiency was enhanced through an eight-speed automatic transmission and optional xDrive all-wheel drive. Step up to the 540i, and you’d find a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine coupled with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 horsepower and 362 pound-feet of torque. This allowed a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds with xDrive. The 540i offered a sportier driving experience, though it fell short of being the "Ultimate Driving Machine" of yesteryears. For those craving speed, BMW also offered the M550i xDrive with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering 532 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The legendary M5 model pushed this further, reaching 617 horsepower in Competition spec, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds.

The innovative use of space in the 2021 Acura TLX’s interior stemmed from its shift-by-wire transmission technology, which freed up the center console for additional features. The gear selector was replaced by a simple control panel inspired by the NSX, and paddle shifters were provided for manual control. This allowed for a more spacious and organized center console, complete with infotainment controls, cupholders, and a storage cubby. Front seats were adjusted 12 ways and available with perforated Milano leather, offering an impressive balance of support and comfort. The rear seats, while adequate for two adults, were less spacious, with the middle seat suitable only for short journeys. The rear seats folded down in a 60/40 split, expanding the already generous 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a four-door sedan in the U.S., offered competitive interior space. Front-seat comfort was strong, and although the rear seats appeared slightly less roomy on paper, they provided ample space for long journeys. The 5 Series trunk offered 14.0 cubic feet of cargo space, narrowly edging out the TLX. The rear seats also featured a 40/20/20 split, allowing for versatile cargo storage. Our 5 Series test car came with 16-way power front seats, providing excellent support and comfort. However, forward visibility was compromised by the long hood, making maneuvering more challenging, though the surround-view camera helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Acura TLX was replete with technology designed to enhance both performance and in-cabin comfort. Technologies like drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD worked silently in the background to optimize performance. More prominently, the 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control, which used real-time data to fine-tune shifting behavior for optimal driving conditions. In terms of in-cabin tech, the TLX featured a state-of-the-art ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system (available with the A-Spec and Advance Packages), delivering exceptional sound quality. The Acura navigation system supported voice recognition, and the infotainment system included Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package also added a head-up display compatible with polarized sunglasses, making it easier to see in bright conditions. BMW’s 2021 5 Series was similarly tech-savvy, featuring a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the latest iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The graphics on both screens were top-notch, though the layout of the instrument cluster left something to be desired, particularly the power meter in place of a tachometer when in non-sport modes. BMW’s rotary knob for infotainment control provided a tactile alternative to a touchscreen, and the voice control system was responsive to the "Hey BMW" prompt. Gesture controls for features like volume adjustment were available, but less practical compared to traditional knobs.

The 2021 Acura TLX came equipped with the comprehensive AcuraWatch suite, which included advanced features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additionally, the TLX featured a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, ultra-high-strength steel door rings, and a full range of airbags. New safety tech for 2021 included a next-gen front-passenger airbag, passenger knee airbag, pedestrian sensing, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. Although the 2021 TLX had not been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA at the time, the previous generation earned top ratings, and Acura aimed for similar results with the new model. The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by IIHS, but the nearly identical 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package expanded this with adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist. BMW’s driver-assist technology was praised for its sophistication and smooth operation, offering a notable difference compared to mainstream brands.