Compare the2024 Acura TLXVS 2024 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura TLX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The TLX Type S has a standard Surround View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 2 Series Gran Coupe only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the TLX and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the TLX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 129 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 2 Series Gran Coupe is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the TLX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. BMW is ranked 9th.

The TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (272 vs. 228) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the 228i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TLX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 53 more horsepower (355 vs. 302) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 332) than the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the 228i Gran Coupe:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura TLX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The 2 Series Gran Coupe requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The TLX has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The TLX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura TLX higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (3 to 7). This means the TLX produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 2 Series Gran Coupe every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (255/35R20 vs. 225/45R17). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (255/35R20 vs. 235/35R19).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TLX’s wheelbase is 7.9 inches longer than on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (113 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe pulls only .91 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe (25 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

The TLX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the TLX Type S is quieter than the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe (71 vs. 73 dB).

The TLX has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 2 Series Gran Coupe (93.4 vs. 91).

The TLX has 1.1 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

The TLX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The TLX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

Standard air-conditioned seats in the TLX A-Spec/Type S keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura TLX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $1195 to $7315 less than the 2 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura TLX and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, based on reliability, safety and performance.