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2021 Lexus ES vs 2020 Honda Accord

2020 Honda Accord
2020 Honda Accord
$24,270MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Lexus ES
2021 Lexus ES
$40,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda Accord
$24,270MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Lexus ES
$40,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Honda Accord is 8.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Lexus ES scores 7.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Honda Accord emerges as the more highly recommended vehicle, blending style, performance, practicality, and technology into a compelling package.

Choose the 2021 Lexus ES if:

7.3of 10overall
  • Luxury and a refined driving experience are your top priorities.
  • You prefer a car with a V6 engine and more traditional luxury features.
  • Cost-effectiveness in the luxury segment is important, given its unique positioning and value proposition.

Choose the 2020 Honda Accord if:

8.3of 10overall
  • You value a blend of style, performance, and practicality in a family sedan.
  • Advanced technology and user-friendly interfaces are important to you.
  • You're looking for a car with a strong safety record and comprehensive ADAS features.
Overview

MSRP

$24,270

MSRP

$40,000

Average price

$22,915

Average price

$32,568

Listings

1231

Listings

516
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Great ride quality
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Fairly pedestrian performance

2020 Honda Accord Reviews Summary

Mary Walton’s “Car: A Drama of the American Workplace” details the development of the 1996 Ford Taurus from sketch to series production. The car was a legendary flop, a collage of compromise. Walton’s book explains why, and in juicy detail.

Bringing a new or redesigned vehicle to market isn’t easy, even if Honda makes it look that way. The 2020 Honda Accord Touring is the family sedan perfected, from its rakish good looks and delightful driving dynamics to its huge back seat and giant trunk. The 2020 Honda Accord also boasts plenty of tech, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and adaptive cruise control.

Sure, you can quibble with a few things related to the 2020 Accord. After all, no car is perfect. But the Honda Accord Touring sure does come close in so many of the ways that matter most, from usability to mpg.

2021 Lexus ES Reviews Summary

When you think of a Lexus ES, you think of a cushy, comfortable, and reliable car that your parents or grandparents might like. The roomy and quiet cabin, the relaxed driving demeanor, and the relatively affordable price all hearken back to the original Lexus mission. And these stereotypes about the car are accurate. But in F Sport trim, with the 3.5-liter V6 engine, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 shows a different side of its presumed personality.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.5L 192 hp I4

Engine

3.5L 302 hp V6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

192 hp @ 5500 rpm

Horsepower

302 hp @ 6600 rpm

MPG City

30

MPG City

22

MPG Highway

38

MPG Highway

32
2020 Honda Accord
2020 Honda Accord
$24,270MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Lexus ES
2021 Lexus ES
$40,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda Accord
$24,270MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Lexus ES
$40,000MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Honda Accord is 8.3 out of 10, while the 2021 Lexus ES scores 7.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Honda Accord emerges as the more highly recommended vehicle, blending style, performance, practicality, and technology into a compelling package.

Choose the 2021 Lexus ES if:

Shop Now
7.3of 10overall
  • Luxury and a refined driving experience are your top priorities.
  • You prefer a car with a V6 engine and more traditional luxury features.
  • Cost-effectiveness in the luxury segment is important, given its unique positioning and value proposition.

Choose the 2020 Honda Accord if:

Shop Now
8.3of 10overall
  • You value a blend of style, performance, and practicality in a family sedan.
  • Advanced technology and user-friendly interfaces are important to you.
  • You're looking for a car with a strong safety record and comprehensive ADAS features.
Overview
MSRP
$24,270
$40,000
Average price
$22,915
$32,568
Listings
1231
Shop all listings
516
Shop all listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.4
4.8
Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Read full review

7.3 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Underwhelming base engine
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Great ride quality
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
Summary

Mary Walton’s “Car: A Drama of the American Workplace” details the development of the 1996 Ford Taurus from sketch to series production. The car was a legendary flop, a collage of compromise. Walton’s book explains why, and in juicy detail.

Bringing a new or redesigned vehicle to market isn’t easy, even if Honda makes it look that way. The 2020 Honda Accord Touring is the family sedan perfected, from its rakish good looks and delightful driving dynamics to its huge back seat and giant trunk. The 2020 Honda Accord also boasts plenty of tech, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and adaptive cruise control.

Sure, you can quibble with a few things related to the 2020 Accord. After all, no car is perfect. But the Honda Accord Touring sure does come close in so many of the ways that matter most, from usability to mpg.

When you think of a Lexus ES, you think of a cushy, comfortable, and reliable car that your parents or grandparents might like. The roomy and quiet cabin, the relaxed driving demeanor, and the relatively affordable price all hearken back to the original Lexus mission. And these stereotypes about the car are accurate. But in F Sport trim, with the 3.5-liter V6 engine, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 shows a different side of its presumed personality.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.5L 192 hp I4
3.5L 302 hp V6
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
192 hp @ 5500 rpm
302 hp @ 6600 rpm
MPG City
30
22
MPG Highway
38
32
Look and feel
2020 Honda Accord
9/10
2021 Lexus ES
9/10
CarGurus experts rate the 2020 Honda Accord a 9 out of 10 and the 2021 Lexus ES an 8 out of 10 for look and feel. The 2020 Honda Accord stands out as one of the most stylish iterations in its lineage, despite potential divides over its front styling and rounded roof line. Its visual appeal is amplified when equipped with 19-inch wheels, available on the Sport and Touring trims, although 17-inch wheels on other versions offer cost advantages for long-term ownership. The Accord's interior, especially in the Touring trim with Radiant Red paint and Ivory interior, exudes luxury with high-quality materials and finishes. The 2021 Lexus ES, particularly with the introduction of the ES 250 series and its standard AWD, expands the lineup while maintaining its signature design elements. The F Sport trim, with its 19-inch wheels and distinct styling details, enhances the ES's appeal. Interior design, including the striking black and white color scheme of the test vehicle, continues to affirm Lexus's commitment to quality and comfort, with the ES 350 F Sport providing a compelling luxury experience.
Performance
2020 Honda Accord
8/10
2021 Lexus ES
8/10
Both vehicles score an 8 out of 10 from CarGurus experts in performance. The 2020 Honda Accord offers a range of engines, with the standard turbocharged 1.5-liter providing adequate power and the hybrid variant impressing with its fuel economy. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, available with a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivers a thrilling drive, particularly in Sport mode, although its FWD layout sometimes struggles with power delivery. The Accord Touring's adaptive dampers and 19-inch tires contribute to an engaging and comfortable driving experience. The 2021 Lexus ES 350's 3.5-liter V6 delivers robust performance, with the F Sport model adding an adaptive damping suspension for a sportier drive. Despite its comfort-oriented reputation, the ES 350 F Sport demonstrates commendable athleticism, with settings for Sport+ mode enhancing its dynamic capabilities. While not an outright sports sedan, it offers a balanced and enjoyable driving experience.
Form and function
2020 Honda Accord
9/10
2021 Lexus ES
8/10
In the realm of form and function, CarGurus rates the 2020 Honda Accord a 9 out of 10, while the 2021 Lexus ES scores an 8 out of 10. The Accord solidifies its status as a highly practical choice, boasting significant rear-seat legroom and a cargo capacity of an impressive 16.7 cubic feet. This space allows for full-size suitcases to be stored on their sides, making the Accord an ideal vehicle for long family road trips. The design and layout of the Accord's interior not only provide ample storage but also ensure the cabin feels spacious and welcoming. However, the absence of a seat height adjuster for the front passenger seat in the Accord is a notable oversight. The Lexus ES, despite its daring and unconventional interior layout, does not compromise on functionality. The ES 350 F Sport model's front seats offer extensive support and comfort with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Rear passengers are treated to generous foot and legroom, with the design supporting a comfortable seating posture. However, the ES falls slightly short in cargo capacity, offering 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space. While this is sufficient for daily use and standard travel needs, it is a bit less than what the Accord provides, especially considering the ES's positioning within the luxury segment. Nonetheless, the ES excels in creating an environment that feels both luxurious and practical, marred only by the trunk's limited capacity and the infotainment system's ergonomics. Both vehicles offer compelling arguments for comfort and utility, yet the Honda Accord edges out with its superior cargo space and more universally accessible interior design, making it a strong contender for those valuing practicality alongside performance and luxury.
Technology
2020 Honda Accord
9/10
2021 Lexus ES
4/10
In the technology department, the 2020 Honda Accord shines with a 9 out of 10 rating, while the 2021 Lexus ES receives a 4 out of 10. The Accord's infotainment system is user-friendly and feature-rich, supporting a wide range of connectivity options. Despite the lack of natural voice recognition, its overall functionality and ease of use stand out. The Lexus ES faces challenges with its touchpad-based interface, which can be distracting to use while driving. However, it compensates with excellent voice command technology and a high-quality optional sound system. The integration of standard and optional tech features remains a strong point, despite the need for improvements in user interface design.
Safety
2020 Honda Accord
8/10
2021 Lexus ES
7/10
Safety ratings from CarGurus experts are 8 out of 10 for the 2020 Honda Accord and 7 out of 10 for the 2021 Lexus ES. The Accord's comprehensive Honda Sensing suite and high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA highlight its commitment to passenger safety, though there's room for refinement in its systems. The Lexus ES also offers a robust safety package with Lexus Safety System 2.0, enhancing its credentials as a safe and reliable vehicle, despite some quirks in system behavior.
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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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