2022 Acura TLX vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. As an entry-level BMW, it was relatively affordable, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. 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. For 2021, BMW added standard equipment, restricted the sport automatic transmission to specific packages, and introduced new suspension and safety features. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with various packages and options, bringing the MSRP to $48,595.

Visually, the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed design tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to improve its proportions. The cabin was pulled back to enhance the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end. Inside, the car adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with features like those in the test car, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2022 Acura TLX presented itself as a luxury sedan with a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger class vehicle. It was notably wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a track width nearly three inches wider at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX's design featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, contributing to its substantial appearance. The Type S variant added exclusive features like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The TLX's body was voluptuous, but the interior was compact, with snug seating. The detailing was impressive, with contrasting colors and shapes, and upper trims offered a Scandinavian lounge vibe with LED strips and matte wood. The infotainment system was not a touchscreen, requiring acclimation to Acura's touchpad interface. The TLX's trunk space was limited, and the car's size did not translate to more interior or cargo space.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed a question about the credibility of a front-drive platform under a brand known for its "ultimate driving machine" reputation. Despite some skepticism, the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, with its 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, offered a comparable performance to the revered Volkswagen GTI. The BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system provided an advantage in various road conditions. The car's zero-to-60 mph acceleration time was six seconds, and it featured an eight-speed sport automatic transmission, AWD, and performance-enhancing technologies. The M Sport Package added fantastic steering, making the car enjoyable to drive in various environments. The suspension was firm but kept the car glued to the road, and the car averaged 27.9 mpg, slightly better than the EPA estimate.

The 2022 Acura TLX, with its 2.0-liter engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, offered smooth and powerful performance. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifted quickly and accurately. The TLX started as a front-wheel-drive car, but the Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was a worthwhile upgrade, enhancing stability and handling precision. The Type S variant, with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 producing 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, excelled on the track, thanks to its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and SH-AWD. The engine's broad torque and minimal turbo lag made for an engaging driving experience, though the exhaust note was subdued. The regular TLX was more softly sprung, while the Type S maintained comfort without sacrificing performance. Fuel economy for the Type S was moderate, with the regular TLX offering better efficiency.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber people. The front seats were snug but comfortable, with adequate storage. Entry and exit were challenging due to the car's low-slung design. The rear seats were cramped, with limited headroom and legroom, and the hard plastic front seatbacks could be uncomfortable. The trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the car lacked the sportback design of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, limiting its cargo capacity.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight for four passengers inside. The back seat had decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with adjustable side bolsters and a low driving position. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, and the pushbutton gear selector took time to master. The climate control was straightforward, but trunk space was limited to 13.5 cubic feet. The TLX's size did not translate to more interior or cargo space, partly due to the double-wishbone suspension.

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, navigation, and connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The car had a premium sound system with ten speakers, and Gesture Control was available but not always accurate. A head-up display was also included, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included, along with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard features like LED headlights and driver assistance systems. AcuraWatch, a suite of driver assistance features, was standard, offering semi-automated control on highways.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature, though the test car did not have this upgrade. The Active Driving Assistant included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the car highly for crash protection, but it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top ratings in crash tests, headlight visibility, and forward automatic emergency braking. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall score, with a four-star rating in the frontal passenger-side test. Standard safety features included knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included in the Technology Package and higher trims.