2020 Lexus ES vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI exuded an unassuming charm, perfect for those who prefer a subtler presence on the road. Its innocuous appearance belied its sporty nature, cloaked under a conservative five-door hatchback design. The GTI's 2-box shape, honeycomb grille, red accents, and twin exhaust outlets were subtle hints to its spirited performance. Available in various trims—S, Rabbit Edition, SE, and Autobahn—the GTI's pricing ranged from $27,595 to $37,095, excluding destination charges.

The Rabbit Edition trim, which fell between the S and SE vehicles, was a standout with its limited production and distinct gloss-black 18-inch wheels, rear roof spoiler, and side mirror caps. Notable colors like Urano Gray and Cornflower Blue added to its allure. However, not everyone took kindly to its gloss-black exterior details or the bunny badge on the hatch. Despite these quirks, the vehicle's overall design was conservatively styled yet attentively tailored, with a hint of attitude.

Inside, the GTI was straightforward and functional. The dashboard, instruments, and controls reflected a quality build, with a whimsical touch added by the Clark Plaid cloth upholstery in the S and Rabbit Edition trims.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus ES had a bold evolution from its previously criticized "boring" image. With an increasingly aggressive design language, the 2020 ES featured an even larger spindle grille, which seemed to integrate better with the car's revamped proportions. The rear design was more subdued, with thin taillamps and a distinctive kink at the back of the side windows.

Inside the ES, luxury was paramount. Soft-touch materials and a blend of modern technology created an organically aesthetic cabin. The large infotainment screen centrally dominated the dash, flanked by an equatorial character line rising to join the instrument panel. Its competitors, like Mercedes-Benz, might have an edge on interior execution, but the ES made a strong impression.

Available in trims like the 350 FWD, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport, even the base ES 350 came generously equipped with features like synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a sunroof. The F Sport took design aggressiveness further with a black mesh grille, unique wheels, and stylized details both outside and within, like aluminum pedals and unique bucket seats.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was built for fun, with the top Autobahn trim hinting at its spirited nature. The 2019 model saw an increase in power, pushing the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine's output to 228 horsepower at 4,700 rpm and maintaining 258 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. Every GTI came with a VAQ torque-sensing limited-slip differential, which maximized traction, reduced understeer, and managed torque steer by transferring up to 100 percent of the engine's torque between the front wheels.

The GTI's quick and responsive handling was enhanced by its adaptive damping suspension, available in higher trims. Front and rear brakes borrowed from the Golf R added to the vehicle's stopping power, with sensitive single-piston calipers and large vented discs. Wind and road noise intruded at highway speeds, but the thrill of acceleration and agility on winding roads made up for these drawbacks. Fuel economy was reasonable at 25.1 mpg in varied driving conditions.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Lexus ES, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, produced 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission drove the front wheels, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. While it wasn't a performance beast, the ES provided smooth and confident acceleration, aiding effortless highway merging and overtaking.

The ES excelled in comfort, with the Dynamic Control Shocks delivering a calm, bump-absorbing ride. The F Sport trim offered an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with drive modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ in the AVS-equipped models. Though not a spirited performer, the ES's upgraded suspension and paddle shifters contributed to a livelier driving experience.

As a family-oriented vehicle, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI combined practicality with driving pleasure. The front seats, available in plaid cloth or leather, were highly adjustable and comfortable for various body types. Storage options were plentiful with a large glove box, deep door-panel bins, and a smartphone tray. The backseat offered decent comfort but was slightly tight on space. Trunk capacity was officially 22.8 cubic feet, though practically, it felt optimistic unless one utilized various compartments and removed the cargo cover. Maximum cargo space expanded to 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, allowing for versatile storage.

The 2020 Lexus ES boasted spacious front and rear seating with ample head- and legroom. Rear-seat headroom had increased since the 2019 redesign, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The cabin offered thoughtful storage solutions like deep door pockets, retractable panels in the center console, and multiple compartments for personal items.

Trunk space in the ES was 16.7 cubic feet, competitive but not leading in its class. The inability to fold down rear seats was a limitation, despite its ample storage otherwise.

In terms of infotainment, the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's S and Rabbit Edition trims featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. Higher trims came with an 8-inch display, HD Radio, satellite radio, and other advanced features. The Fender premium sound system was an impressive upgrade available on SE trim and standard on the Autobahn.

The 2020 Lexus ES integrated the Lexus Remote Touch system, a non-touchscreen interface controlled by a touch-sensitive pad. While it took some getting used to, its combination with physical buttons made navigation manageable. The 2020 model included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, enhancing connectivity. The available 12.3-inch display offered a more immersive experience. The standard audio system featured 10 speakers, with a high-end 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available as an upgrade.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as optional on the base S trim and standard on the Rabbit Edition and higher trims. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were exclusive to the Autobahn trim. The GTI received high safety ratings, including a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and strong marks from IIHS, though its small overlap front test rating was "Acceptable."

The 2020 Lexus ES came with the extensive Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, standard across all trims. This suite included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional features like pedestrian and cyclist detection and lane-tracing assist added to the comprehensive safety net. The ES also included a full set of airbags, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.