2020 Lexus ES vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold, geometric styling from the previous year, which was a departure from its earlier Genesis Jr. design cues. This angular design was a precursor to the even more dramatic styling of the 2021 model. Available in six versions, the Elantra ranged from the base SE to the sporty Sport trim, with prices starting at $19,300. The Limited trim, which included the Ultimate Package, brought the price to $27,630. The Elantra's black paint job highlighted its angular features, creating a striking contrast with the chrome detailing. Inside, the Elantra Limited featured silver trim accents, giving it an upscale feel, though some hard plastics reminded occupants of its compact car status.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus ES had evolved from its earlier "boring" reputation to a more aggressive design, highlighted by its large spindle grille. This grille, which had grown since its introduction in 2016, fit well with the ES's larger proportions. The rear of the car was more subdued, with sleek taillamps and a distinctive window kink. Inside, the ES offered a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen integrated into the dash. The ES was available in several trims, including the 350 FWD, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport, each offering a range of features from synthetic leather upholstery to a premium Mark Levinson audio system.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT). This CVT replaced the previous six-speed automatic, contributing to a price increase. The Elantra Eco model featured a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 128 horsepower and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Sport trim boasted a 1.6-liter turbo engine with 201 horsepower and an independent rear suspension, enhancing its driving dynamics. Despite the new CVT's promise of improved efficiency, real-world testing showed an average of 29.3 mpg, falling short of expectations. The Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from its ride quality, though the Sport model's independent suspension offered a better experience.

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the ES to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with a top speed of 131 mph. The ES prioritized comfort, with a suspension that absorbed road imperfections without feeling overly soft. The F Sport trim offered an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) for enhanced driving dynamics, including a Sport+ mode for a more engaging experience. While not a high-performance vehicle, the ES provided a refined and comfortable ride, with the F Sport trim adding a touch of sportiness.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra was known for its spacious interior, comfortably accommodating four adults, with a fifth passenger fitting in for short trips. The Limited trim featured power-adjustable seats, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. All Elantras came with dual-zone automatic climate control, though rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents. The trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, comparable to some midsize sedans, and included a convenient interior grab handle.

The 2020 Lexus ES boasted a roomy cabin with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The front doors had deep pockets for storage, and the center console offered multiple retractable panels for organizing small items. The ES provided 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was average for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to transport larger items.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base SE trim featured a 5-inch screen, while the SEL and higher trims offered a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the screen size to 8 inches and included navigation and additional services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlled by a touch-sensitive pad on the center console. The standard display was 8 inches, with an optional 12.3-inch screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with a 10-speaker audio system and an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. The ES also offered a head-up display with customizable graphics. While the Remote Touch pad required some acclimation, it was intuitive once presets were set.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra included Hyundai Smart Sense as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and full LED headlights. The Ultimate Package offered adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with LED headlights and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion in side-impact tests.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and dynamic radar cruise control. It also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist for limited semi-autonomous driving. The ES was equipped with a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.