2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan that stood out in a crowded class. It featured an assertive stance with a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler. The front was bold, with a grille pattern radiating from the central Acura logo and horizontal "jewel eye" LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes added to its sporty look. The paint quality was excellent, and tasteful badging and chrome accents enhanced its premium appearance. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with authentic materials and a well-organized dash. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was neatly integrated, providing a modern touch without feeling like an afterthought.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat maintained a more understated look, having undergone a facelift in 2020. It shared a familial resemblance with the smaller Jetta, offering a more conservative design compared to rivals like the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry. The Passat's rounded corners and smooth shape contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes varying by trim. The R-Line trim added sportier styling elements, but the color palette remained subdued. Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with analog controls and a short dashboard enhancing visibility. However, the interior felt plain, with limited brightwork and basic materials, though fit and finish were commendable.

The 2021 Acura TLX was designed to excel in the premium sport sedan class, featuring a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The TLX's performance was enhanced by its drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire systems, along with an Integrated Dynamics System that allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual modes. The Advance package added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX's handling was nimble and balanced, with improved torsional stiffness and rigidity. During a test drive in Michigan, the TLX demonstrated its sprightly character and inspiring handling, particularly in Sport mode, which minimized turbo lag and enhanced the exhaust note.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. While the torque output was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The Passat's power delivery felt uneven, particularly during highway overtakes, but Sport mode or manual gear selection improved responsiveness. The driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. The Passat's ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

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. This freed up space for a mini touchpad, cupholders, and storage cubby. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, while the front sport bucket seats offered 12-way power adjustability and optional Milano leather. The trunk provided 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, though it fell short of competitors like the Honda Accord. Front legroom and headroom were also limited, resulting in an uncomfortable driving position for some. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing some rivals but falling short of others. In-cabin storage was limited, and door bottle holders were not well-designed for larger bottles. However, the Passat excelled in control layout, with large buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD systems. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control for optimized performance. The TLX also offered ambient interior lighting and the impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a head-up display available in the Advance Package.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender audio system. A single USB-A port was standard, with additional rear charge-only ports on SE models. The Passat's tech offerings were basic, lacking the Digital Cockpit and MIB3 system found in other VW models. The focus was on simplicity, with analog controls for climate and audio functions.

The 2021 Acura TLX included the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a full complement of airbags. New for 2021 were a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, and traffic-sign recognition. The TLX had not yet been tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received high ratings.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores from IIHS in crash tests, though its headlights earned a "marginal" rating. NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.