2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was immediately recognizable. The N Line version further enhanced this design with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, along with a standard panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Acura TLX, with its wide and long stance, resembled a luxury sedan of a larger size class. 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 featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, creating a substantial yet fuss-free visual. The Type S variant added exclusive paint colors, polished black exterior elements, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. Inside, the TLX offered a snug but impressively detailed cabin, with upper trims featuring LED strips and soft, finely grained surfaces. The Type S included faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with real metal shift paddles.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The car offered Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and 19-inch wheels with performance tires contributed to its impressive handling and ride quality. Despite being front-wheel drive, the car exhibited minimal understeer and felt glued to the ground, providing a confident and enjoyable driving experience. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded an average of 23.7 mpg.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with the option to upgrade to Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for $2,000. The SH-AWD system enhanced stability and handling precision by varying torque at the rear wheels. The Type S variant, with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, excelled on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Pirelli P Zero summer tires. The Type S also featured Brembo front brakes and an active exhaust system, though the exhaust note was considered too subdued. The regular TLX offered a more comfortable ride but lacked the sportiness of the Type S. Fuel economy for the Type S was rated at 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance of comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat included a manual height adjuster, enhancing comfort for both front-seat occupants. Rear-seat passengers benefited from rear air conditioning vents and a USB port, though legroom and thigh support were limited. The Sonata's interior storage was generous, with a 16-cubic-foot trunk and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature added convenience, though the lack of an interior handle on the trunk lid was a minor drawback.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, offered a tight interior for four passengers. The back seat provided decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats, especially in the Type S, were comfortable with adjustable side bolsters and a thigh extension. The driving position was low, and controls were well-marked. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. The climate control was straightforward, and trunk space was limited to 13.5 cubic feet, less than a Honda Civic. The double-wishbone suspension contributed to the tight interior space but enhanced handling.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, it lacked a WiFi hotspot and a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for users. The infotainment system offered Sounds of Nature for stress relief and Hyundai Digital Key for Android devices.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included, along with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included standard driver assistance features like AcuraWatch.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The standard Sonata rated high for occupant protection, though specific ratings for the N Line were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Acura TLX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. 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 available with the Technology Package and higher trims.