2021 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, the Prius featured a unique and somewhat odd layout, with instrumentation placed in a strip of displays near the windshield and unconventional transmission controls. The dashboard design wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the narrow center console was prone to attracting dust and fingerprints. The Prius was available in several trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD system for the LE and XLE trims. The Prius Prime plug-in hybrid offered different styling and was available in LE, XLE, and Limited trims. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, with our test vehicle priced at $31,295.

The 2022 Acura TLX, on the other hand, presented a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger luxury sedan. It was significantly wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a nearly three-inch wider track at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX's design featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a front bumper with V-shaped curves, giving it a substantial and stylish 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 interior was snug but impressively detailed, with a narrow center console, angled air vents, and a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe in upper trims. The Type S models featured faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with real metal shift paddles. The TLX's daring design choices set it apart from competitors like Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, and Jaguar.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving, while other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, and AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. Our test vehicle averaged 47.5 mpg, slightly below EPA estimates. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided 120 pound-feet of torque, giving the Prius a lively feel off the line. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with the latter adding noise rather than quicker acceleration. The TNGA platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and improved handling, making the Prius surprisingly capable on curvy roads. However, hard acceleration resulted in powertrain drone, and the steering lacked road feel. Despite these drawbacks, the Prius excelled in urban and low-speed driving situations, making it ideal for daily commuting.

The 2022 Acura TLX, in contrast, delivered a more dynamic performance. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine produced 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX offered Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) for an additional $2000, enhancing stability and handling precision. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Pirelli P Zero summer tires. The TLX's steering provided decent road feel, and the Brembo front brakes performed admirably. However, the exhaust note was subdued, and the summer tires emitted extra noise on the highway. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery tended to trap sweat. Our test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom for adults, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim level, with a range of 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, felt tight inside, especially for rear passengers who had 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 TLX's touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. The climate control was straightforward, and trunk space was 13.5 cubic feet, less than a Honda Civic. The TLX's double-wishbone suspension contributed to its tight interior space.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, shortcut buttons, and standard equipment like Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota's Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard, with generous free trial subscriptions. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. However, the sound quality was poor, and the digital instrumentation displayed dated graphics.

The 2022 Acura TLX's infotainment interface was simple and quick, but some typefaces were too small to read. The TLX featured a head-up display, 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, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights, a garage door opener, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features was standard.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Prius received favorable marks from the IIHS but lacked a NHTSA rating for 2021.

The 2022 Acura TLX earned 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. The Technology Package and higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors.