2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Subaru Legacy

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan in a crowded class. It featured an assertive stance with a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler. The front grille, with its explosive pattern radiating from the Acura logo, and the jewel eye LED headlights gave it a bold face. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and top-notch paint quality, along with tasteful badging and chrome hints, enhanced its premium look. Inside, the TLX showcased high-quality materials and a well-thought-out design. The driver’s position was aptly described as a “sport sedan cockpit,” with different functions clustered together and authentic materials throughout. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was neatly mounted, adding to the car's sophisticated interior.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy, often overlooked in the midsize-sedan segment, was available in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Limited XT, and Touring XT. It shared much of its body and mechanics with the Subaru Outback wagon, including the fascia, headlight design, and dashboard setup. For 2021, Subaru added standard low-beam and high-beam steering-responsive LED headlights and high-beam assist. While not particularly stylish, the Legacy's design stayed true to Subaru's branding, with high-gloss stainless steel moldings adding a bit of flash. The interior featured a blend of high-quality materials and piano black plastic, with some fit-and-finish issues noted in the tester. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather available at extra cost, and the cabin offered a blend of form and function without flashy extras.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It used a drive-by-wire throttle system and a shift-by-wire connection to its standard 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available on all models. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models, and 21/29/24 combined for AWD. The TLX offered distinct driving personalities through its Integrated Dynamics System, with modes like Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The Advance package added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX felt solid and balanced, with 50% greater global torsional stiffness and up to 100% greater rigidity at the suspension mounts. At a launch event in Michigan, the TLX demonstrated eager, sprightly character and inspiring handling, particularly in Sport mode.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine in the Limited XT and Touring XT grades, producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was standard, providing stability over rough terrain. The 2.5-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbo engine earned 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. The Legacy's steering was well-balanced at low speeds but required lane-centering technology for highway driving. The AWD system kept the car planted, absorbing many bumps along the way.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined center console, featuring a control panel modeled after the NSX, paddle shifters, and a mini touchpad for infotainment controls. The center console also housed two big cupholders and a storage cubby under the armrest. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front seats were supportive sport bucket seats with 12-way power adjustability and available perforated Milano leather. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats available in higher packages. The second row folded down in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 13.5 cubic feet trunk with a 47.6-inch-wide opening and 42.4 inches of depth.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy improved comfort with a sound-insulation windshield and better seat positioning. The Base model had manually adjustable front seats, while other trims offered a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and either a four-way or eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The five-seater provided ample back seat room for adults, with additional legroom from the 2020 redesign. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were available. The Legacy excelled in cabin spaciousness, though it sacrificed trunk space, offering 15.1 cubic feet of cargo room.

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. The TLX also offered multiple ambient interior lighting themes and the impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package added a head-up display, G-Meter, and Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy featured dual 7-inch infotainment and climate control displays in the base model, with an 11.6-inch infotainment screen in higher trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 12-volt power outlet, two USB ports, and a 4.2-inch meter display. Higher trims added more USB ports, Subaru Starlink Connected Services, navigation, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and keyless entry. The 11.6-inch touch screen had an unsophisticated appearance but was easy to navigate, with a prominent button for automatic start/stop.

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, a full complement of airbags, and a multi-angle rear-view camera system. New for 2021 were a next-generation front-passenger airbag, passenger knee airbag, pedestrian sensing, autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. Available safety features included rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The 2021 TLX had not yet been tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received high ratings.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy earned top scores in every category from IIHS and was named a Top Safety Pick. NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. The Legacy came standard with Subaru EyeSight technology, including adaptive cruise control, pre-collision automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Additional features included EyeSight Assist Monitor, reverse automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The seat-belt monitoring system was very sensitive, and the EyeSight safety system could be annoying with its alerts, but these could be adjusted through the infotainment system. The Legacy came with a three-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.