If you are willing to spend around 35-45,000 dollars on a new luxury sedan, you would want to get your money’s worth. Somewhere in that exploration you could come to a decision like this: which is better, getting a larger luxury model from an everyman automaker, or choosing a smaller luxury sedan from an executive brand? The answer might be different for everyone, but when you compare the Avalon and the TLX, one gives you a lot more value per dollar than the other.
The biggest difference between these two vehicles is size. The 2020 Toyota Avalon is much larger than the 2020 Acura TLX, but size isn’t everything. The engines, interior designs, and technology all differ in ways that will make the decision easy to make. Let the chart below illustrate some of these differences.
2020 Toyota Avalon |
Versus |
2020 Acura TLX |
2.5L Inline 4 Hybrid, 3.5L V6 | Engine Options | 2.4L Inline 4, 3.5L V6 |
$35,870-$42,575 | Starting MSRP Range | $33,000-$48,950 |
120.4 cu.ft. | EPA Interior Volume | 107.6 cu.ft. |
14-Speaker, 1-Subwoofer, 1200-Watt JBL® Premium Brand Sound System | Sound System | 10-Speaker, 1-Subwoofer Unbranded Audio System |
To bring some of the figures from the chart into context, the two V6 engines do not perform the same. They both have the same torque, but the Toyota V6 engine produces more horsepower than the Acura. The Avalon also presents the opportunity to select a hybrid luxury car, where the TLX does not.
The price range is wider on the TLX, but don’t think you’re getting V6 performance at the bottom of its price range. With the Avalon, the V6 engine is standard on all non-hybrid trim levels, so the slightly higher minimum MSRP makes more sense in context. Larger size, better sound system, and a sportier look combine to make the 2020 Toyota Avalon a winner for many. Of course, if a no-nonsense austere look is more your style, you will probably choose the Acura anyway.