2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Acura TLX

The 2021 Acura TLX was a bold and sporty sedan, cutting a striking figure in the crowded premium sport sedan market. Its assertive stance was complemented by a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The TLX’s front end was particularly eye-catching, featuring a grille pattern that radiated from the large central Acura logo and was flanked by slim “jewel eye” LED headlights. The rear was finished off with twin trapezoidal tailpipes beneath the bumper. Acura’s attention to detail was evident in the paint quality and the tasteful use of badging and chrome accents.

Inside, the TLX maintained a high level of quality and craftsmanship, aptly described by Acura as a “sport sedan cockpit.” The dashboard was thoughtfully sectioned off, with functions grouped together and materials that were authentic to the touch – metal where it appeared to be metal, leather where it seemed like leather, and wood where it looked like wood. This meticulous attention to detail continued with tight, even gaps and matched fonts, creating a cohesive and visually appealing cabin. The 10.2-inch landscape-oriented infotainment screen was neatly mounted at the top of the center stack, designed to appear as though it was floating above the dashboard.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3 models, with prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000 before adding a $995 destination charge. Each variant boasted unique styling cues, starting with Custom paint jobs like the Barbera Red on the M340i, which, despite being an expensive $4,500 option, added a touch of distinction to the vehicle. The M340i in particular stood out with its M Performance design package, featuring exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline exterior trim, and blue brake calipers. The test car also sported the Cooling and High-Performance Tire package, which added 19-inch wheels and high-performance tires for enhanced aesthetics and performance.

The interior of the M340i was both trendy and comfortable, with Cognac-color SensaTec simulated leather upholstery that convincingly mimicked real leather. The dashboard, also wrapped in SensaTec, provided an upscale feel to the cabin. The overall design of the 3 Series interior was more technical than luxurious, with a focus on driving enjoyment rather than opulence, a nod to its historical legacy as the quintessential driver’s car.

Performance was a critical focus for the 2021 Acura TLX. It featured a newly developed turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine capable of producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This powerplant was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and utilized a drive-by-wire throttle system. Front-wheel drive was standard, but Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) was available on all models. The FWD models boasted a fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined, while AWD models offered 21/29/24 mpg respectively.

The TLX's sporting credentials extended beyond its power figures. It featured an Integrated Dynamics System with driving modes such as Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, which adjusted parameters like power delivery, steering, and suspension settings. The Advance package added adaptive dampers, enhancing the ride and handling characteristics further. Overall, the TLX was nimble and engaging to drive, with Acura reporting substantial improvements in torsional stiffness and rigidity compared to the previous generation. During test drives in Michigan, the TLX impressed with its responsive handling and balanced feel, particularly in Sport mode, which minimized turbo lag and enriched the exhaust note.

The 2022 BMW M340i was equipped with a powerful turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, supplemented with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology for improved fuel efficiency. The engine produced an impressive 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission featuring a Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control, channeling power to the rear wheels through an M Sport differential. Though AWD was available, the test model came with RWD.

The M340i featured advanced braking and steering systems, including M Sport four-wheel ventilated-disc brakes and variable sport steering, providing precise control and feedback. The optional Adaptive M Suspension further enhanced the vehicle's handling, making it a joy to drive on winding roads. Fuel economy returned 24.9 mpg on the evaluation route, nearly matching the EPA rating of 26 mpg combined, despite vigorous driving.

Driving the M340i revealed a near-perfect balance of power, precision, and agility, making it an ideal tool for enthusiastic driving. This model had corrected the shortcomings of earlier generations, and BMW had emerged as the benchmark in the sport sedan segment thanks to its engaging driving dynamics and technological advancements.

The 2021 Acura TLX benefited from several design and engineering decisions that enhanced both form and function. The shift-by-wire transmission allowed designers to rethink the gear selector mechanism, resulting in a control panel modeled after the NSX, placed in the center stack for easy access. The minimalist controls freed up the center console space, allowing for an intuitive infotainment interface, a mini touchpad, two large cupholders, and additional storage. The vehicle also featured bottle holders in the door panels and a sizable storage cubby under the armrest.

Front passengers enjoyed comfortable and supportive sport bucket seats with perforated Milano leather, offering 12-way power adjustability, four-way lumbar support, and adjustable headrests. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats available in higher trims. The rear seat accommodated two adults comfortably, with adequate head- and legroom, though the middle seat was best for short trips. The TLX also offered a practical cargo space of 13.5 cubic feet, featuring a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series maintained traditional sedan proportions but with a sporty flair that belied its practicality. The M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats providing excellent support for various driving scenarios. The driving position was optimized for comfort and control, with a perfectly shaped thick-rimmed steering wheel, and the cabin felt intimate yet spacious enough for comfort.

Rear-seat passengers found decent legroom, enough to seat four tall individuals comfortably. However, the outboard bolstered seating pushed passengers slightly inward, and the center rear position was less accommodating. The rear offered good thigh support, although passengers needed to be cautious of their knees against the rigid front seatback panels. A three-zone automatic climate control system was standard, with available heated elements for added comfort. However, ventilated front seats were notably absent.

In terms of cargo capacity, the 3 Series boasted a generous 17 cubic-foot trunk, with a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat enhancing its versatility. This practical setup allowed for easy transport of larger items, although many enthusiasts lamented the lack of a sports wagon variant in the American market.

The 2021 Acura TLX was well-equipped with advanced technology, boosting both performance and comfort. Its 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control, technologies designed to optimize shifting based on driving conditions. These systems operated seamlessly in the background, enhancing the driving experience without driver intervention.

For occupant comfort, the TLX offered customizable ambient interior lighting themes, synchronizing with driving modes or personalized settings. The standout feature was the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality with 710 watts of amplification and 16 discrete channels, setting a high standard for in-car audio systems.

The infotainment system included a navigation system with voice recognition, covering the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. It supported Bluetooth hands-free operation and audio streaming, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package added a head-up display, a G-Meter, and a Turbo Boost Indicator for added convenience and a sporty touch.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series came standard with Live Cockpit Professional, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display. While the absence of traditional round gauges was missed, the infotainment setup worked well, thanks to the improved iDrive 7.0 system.

iDrive 7.0 offered intuitive operation through various input methods, including a center console knob, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. Although the gesture control system had variable success, it was a unique feature nonetheless. Standard infotainment features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, though the once-available 16-speaker Harman Kardon system was absent for 2022.

Connected Package Pro technology added BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant, enhancing user convenience with conversational voice recognition. The assistant performed well in various queries and commands, demonstrating its utility in everyday driving scenarios. The available head-up display had some limitations with polarized sunglasses, a minor drawback considering its otherwise useful functionality.

The 2021 Acura TLX came standard with the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features encompassed a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, ultra-high-strength steel front door stiffener rings, a full array of airbags, adjustable head restraints, three-point seatbelts for all positions, LATCH connectors, ABS, vehicle stability assist with traction control, auto-high beam headlights, and a multi-angle rear-view camera.

New safety features included a next-gen front-passenger airbag, a passenger knee airbag, pedestrian sensing with autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and a driver attention monitor. Optional safety tech included rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a head-up display. Though untested by IIHS and NHTSA, the prior generation received high ratings, and Acura aimed for top marks with this iteration.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series offered a somewhat limited standard safety tech package in the form of Active Guard, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. For additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, buyers needed to opt for the Driving Assistance package.

The Driving Assistance Professional package elevated safety with lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for semi-autonomous driving. An Emergency Stop Assistant could halt the car safely in case of driver unresponsiveness. The M340i tested worked well, with its lane-keeping assist being notably assertive yet effective.

The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, provided it had the optional adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight, and received five-star ratings from NHTSA across all parameters, including rollover resistance.