2019 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2020 Lexus ES

The compact-car market has come a long way from the days of the dreaded “economy car.” And yet many new compact cars, such as the Honda Civic or Toyota's new 2020 Corolla, still fit a reasonable budget. You no longer have to choose between value and quality. Among a crowd of good, budget-conscious vehicles, the all-new 2019 Mazda3 excels.

The Mazda3 arrived in 2003, and driving dynamics have always been key to its DNA. But it was the third-generation Mazda3, produced from 2014 through 2018, that really started to showcase the aspirational nature of the Mazda brand. If the third-generation Mazda3 set the canvas for the company's upscale agenda, the fourth-gen 2019 Mazda3 is its masterstroke.

SUVs might dominate the luxury car market, but many luxury brands were built on sedans, like the 2020 Lexus ES. While crossovers and SUVs combine added cargo space with all-weather driving capability, sedans are all about driving in comfort. Lower ride height allows sedans to be far more refined in on-road driving dynamics, offer better fuel economy, and still have enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags. SUVs might have the attributes that you might need in certain scenarios, but sedans like the 2020 Lexus ES excel in ways that are relevant in everyday driving.

The 2020 Lexus ES is one year off a complete redesign, though it maintains the same comfort-first formula. It is available in a racy 350 F Sport trim level, but don’t expect any major leaps in performance. The ES delivers on a serene ride and a quiet, well-appointed cabin. For 2020, the ES gains some in-cabin tech features, joining a long list of standard technology.