2021 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2021 Nissan Altima showcased a strong family identity with its bold V-Motion grille, available in chrome or dark chrome, adorned with the Nissan logo. Its overall shape was attractive, featuring a sloping “coupe-like” roofline that gave it a sleek, aerodynamic profile. The body had more folds than curves, lending a taut, trim essence. Despite a mildly ungainly stance due to the overhangs ahead of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels, the Altima maintained a contemporary look with standard LED lighting and wheel options ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy. The fit and finish were exceptional, with deep lustrous paint and rich chrome details, available in nine exterior colors with some premium options.

Inside, the Altima’s dashboard was uncluttered and intelligently laid out, featuring a standard 8-inch touchscreen display. The instrument panel was shrouded by a cowl, making it easy to read in sunlight and reducing glare at night. While the base model felt a bit stripped-down, higher trims offered improved interior materials, adding stitching to the dash and seats for a better hand feel. The Altima was a prime example of getting what you pay for, with a well-thought-out interior that catered to both safety and convenience.

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a luxury sedan from a larger class. It was notably bigger than the BMW 3 Series, with a wider track and a longer body, especially in the hood area. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a front bumper with V-shaped curves, giving it a substantial yet fuss-free 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 Type S also had four fat exhaust pipes and fully open front air intakes for additional cooling, while other trims had blocked-off intakes.

Inside, the TLX was snug despite its large exterior. The detailing was impressive, with a narrow center console, angled air vents, and inward curves on the aluminum trim. Upper trims with the Advance package featured thin LED strips against light matte wood, creating a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe. The seats on the Type S had faux-suede inserts and red stitching, with a flat-bottom steering wheel and real metal shift paddles. The TLX offered daring color combinations, like creamy white leather with black suede stripes or bright blue paint with flaming red leather, setting it apart from competitors like Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, and Jaguar.

The 2021 Nissan Altima offered a Jekyll-and-Hyde experience with its powertrains. Most configurations featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all but the base S trim. Fuel economy was impressive, with ratings of 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway/32 mpg combined for FWD and 25 mpg city/35 mpg highway/29 mpg combined for AWD.

The standout was the VC-Turbo engine, available only in the Altima SR VC-Turbo trim with FWD. This turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine used variable compression technology to deliver 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite its higher power output, it maintained decent fuel economy at 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The Altima’s suspension setup included four-wheel independent suspension with sport-tuned suspension on the VC-Turbo, though the difference was subtle. The electric-powered steering provided decent feedback and feel, making the VC-Turbo a more engaging and fun car to drive.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX started as a front-wheel drive car, but the Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was available for an extra $2000. This system could vary torque at either rear wheel, improving stability and handling precision. The Type S variant boasted a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, shining on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Pirelli P Zero summer tires.

The TLX’s SH-AWD system excelled in tight turns, making it balanced and predictable. The engine’s broad torque, minimal turbo lag, and Sport+ driving mode added to the fun. The steering exhibited decent road feel, and the Brembo front brakes provided strong stopping power. The Type S had an active exhaust, but it was still too quiet for some enthusiasts. The regular TLX was more softly sprung, offering a comfortable ride without compromising on performance. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, which were comfortable even on long drives. Upper trims offered power adjustment, position memory, leather appointments, and electric heating. The front cabin had ample storage, including a big glovebox, center console storage bin, cupholders, and door pockets. The second row was roomy enough for two adults or three for short rides, with a 60/40 split-folding design for trunk access. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space.

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 the Type S offering a thigh extension and adjustable side bolsters. 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 the trunk space was 13.5 cubic feet, less than a Honda Civic. The double-wishbone suspension took up more space, limiting trunk and cabin room.

The 2021 Nissan Altima came with a range of standard tech features, including Nissan Intelligent Key with pushbutton start, remote engine start, Bluetooth, cruise control, HomeLink, rear-view camera, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, and more. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all but the base S model. The base touchscreen was 7 inches, while other models had an 8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen. Higher trims featured a Bose audio system, Active Noise Cancellation, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation.

The 2022 Acura TLX had a simple and quick infotainment interface, though some typefaces were too small to read easily. The head-up display was available only with the Advance Package, which also included 360-degree cameras, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was standard on the Type S. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights, a garage door opener, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. AcuraWatch, a suite of driver assistance features, was standard.

The 2021 Nissan Altima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard on SV and above, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. ProPilot Assist was available for highway driving assistance. The Altima received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received 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 included in the Technology Package and higher trims.