2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Lexus ES

The 2020 Lexus ES had evolved significantly from its earlier iterations, shedding its "boring" label with a more aggressive design. The introduction of the large spindle grille in 2016, which grew even larger in the 2020 model, complemented the car's increased proportions, creating a cohesive and bold front-end appearance. The rear of the ES was more understated, featuring thin taillamps and a distinctive kink in the side windows that added a touch of elegance to the long sedan. Inside, the ES boasted a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen that seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, rivaling the interiors of luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic was celebrated for its sharp design and engineering excellence, offering a variety of body styles including sedan, coupe, and hatchback. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with a low and wide stance accentuated by body panel creases and sweeping LED taillights. The 2019 updates to the grilles, bumpers, and wheels carried over to the 2020 model, enhancing its sporty appearance. The Civic Si sedan featured new matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED fog lights, while the hatchback received updated bumpers and lights. Inside, the Civic's simple yet high-quality interior included soft-touch materials and a user-friendly layout, with new dash accents and sport seats in the Si model.

The 2020 Lexus ES was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via 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. While not a high-performance vehicle, the ES provided confident acceleration and a comfortable, refined ride. The Dynamic Control Shocks contributed to its smooth handling, and the optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) on the F Sport trim offered adjustable dampers for a more dynamic driving experience. The ES's focus was on comfort and ease of driving, with precise steering and a hushed ride.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. Higher trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine producing 174 horsepower, with the hatchback versions offering 180 horsepower. The Civic Si boasted a 1.5-liter engine with 205 horsepower, while the Type R delivered an impressive 306 horsepower. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the Si and Type R providing thrilling driving experiences. The Si's adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a joy to drive, while the Type R's power and handling were remarkable.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear-seat headroom was improved with the 2019 redesign, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The front doors had deep pockets for storage, and the center console offered multiple retractable panels for organizing personal items. The ES provided 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was average for its class, but the lack of fold-down rear seats limited its cargo versatility.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a roomy interior, especially for rear passengers, with ample space in all directions. The center console was highly configurable, with a deep storage bin and sliding cupholders. The Civic's trunk space varied by body style, with the sedan offering 15 cubic feet, the coupe 12 cubic feet, and the hatchback providing a generous 26 cubic feet, expandable to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Civic's interior was practical and well-designed, though it lacked rear air vents, which was a notable oversight.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, which used a touch-sensitive pad to control the infotainment display. While not a touchscreen, the system was intuitive once presets were set. The ES came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhancing connectivity. The available 12.3-inch display offered a dramatic and easy-to-read interface. The ES also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system and a head-up display for added convenience and luxury.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen that was slower and more complex than newer systems. However, it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass the factory interface. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. The Civic also offered LaneWatch, a camera system that provided a live feed of the blind spot, and Honda Sensing, which included advanced safety features.

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

The 2020 Honda Civic was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R, which wasn't tested. It received the top "Good" rating in all six crash tests. The NHTSA rated the Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.