2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days when it closely mimicked the Honda Accord. Initially criticized for its lack of originality and quality, Hyundai gradually improved the Sonata by learning from its competitors. By the seventh generation, redesigned for the 2020 model year, the Sonata showcased a distinctive wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five, featuring clearly marked gauges and average material quality. The Limited trim boasted comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery color was not universally appealing. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black accents, and unique N-brand sport seats, transforming its look from mild to wild.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura TLX presented a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger luxury sedan. It was notably wider and longer than the BMW 3 Series, with a design featuring thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes. The Type S variant added exclusive paint colors, polished black accents, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. Inside, the TLX's compact sedan dimensions were evident, with snug rear seats but comfortable front seats featuring adjustable side bolsters. The interior design included a narrow center console, angled air vents, and aluminum trim, creating a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe in upper trims. The Type S added faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with real metal shift paddles.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a split personality in terms of performance. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, providing a quiet and non-threatening driving experience. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, powered the SEL Plus and Limited trims, offering adequate performance. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters standard on the 1.6-liter turbo. The Sonata N Line, however, featured a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, sport suspension, and tuned exhaust, delivering a more aggressive and thrilling driving experience. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available.

The 2022 Acura TLX, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 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 $2000. The SH-AWD system could vary torque at either rear wheel, improving stability and handling precision. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, along with a double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Brembo front brakes. The TLX Type S excelled on the track, offering balanced and predictable handling, though its exhaust note was subdued. The regular TLX provided a more comfortable ride but lacked the sportiness of the Type S. 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 2022 Hyundai Sonata's cabin offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete three-piece set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, standard on the Limited trim, allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button on the key fob, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, had a tight interior for four passengers. The back seat offered decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with the Type S featuring adjustable side bolsters and a low driving position. The TLX's 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, smaller than expected for a car of its size. The double-wishbone suspension contributed to the limited trunk space.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. The base SE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB port, 12-volt outlet, and a rearview camera. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The SEL trim also included the Tech package as standard, featuring Highway Driving Assist, LED interior lights, and a panoramic sunroof. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was quick and easy, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Acura TLX's infotainment interface was simple and quick, but some typefaces were too small to read easily. The TLX featured a head-up display on the Advance Package, allowing the driver to interact with various functions from the steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included on the Type S, providing excellent sound quality. Standard features included voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked the climate control to the navigation system, adjusting the air based on the sun's position. The TLX also came with standard "Jewel Eye" LED headlights, a garage door opener, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. The AcuraWatch suite of driver assistance features was standard, offering semi-automated control on marked highways.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive safety package, even on the base trim. Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rearview monitor, and Rear Occupant Alert. The SEL trim added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-centering assistance. The Limited trim featured a blind-spot view monitor, rear park assist, and surround-view monitor. The NHTSA awarded the Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave the 2021 Sonata top "Good" ratings in all six crash tests.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring top "Good" ratings in all six crash tests and for headlight visibility and anti-glare. The NHTSA gave the TLX a five-star overall score, with five stars in most crash tests except the frontal passenger-side test, where it received four stars. Standard safety features included knee airbags for driver and passenger, 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 on the Technology Package and higher trims.