2020 Lexus ES vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Lexus ES had undergone a significant transformation from its earlier iterations, which were often criticized for being "boring." By 2020, Lexus had given the ES a more aggressive appearance, highlighted by a large spindle grille that had been growing since its introduction in 2016. This grille, which seemed oversized on previous models, fit well with the 2020 ES's larger proportions, although it remained a bold design choice. The rear of the vehicle was more subdued, featuring thin taillamps that complemented the sleek headlights, and a distinctive kink in the side windows added visual interest to the long, low sedan. Inside, the ES offered a luxurious cabin that seamlessly integrated modern technology with soft-touch materials, dominated by a large infotainment screen that blended into the dashboard. The interior was considered one of the best in its class, second only to Mercedes-Benz.

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic shape, optimized for aerodynamics, which had been a staple since its second generation. While the design evolved to incorporate sedan-like elements, it retained its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style remained contemporary, even as other manufacturers adopted similar cues. The cabin was revolutionary, with a central location for instrumentation and gauges, a design choice that had been part of the Prius's identity for over two decades. The Prius was available in several trims, starting with the L Eco, which included features like 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added more luxury features, including synthetic leather upholstery, heated seats, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen, although the latter lacked Android Auto support.

The 2020 Lexus ES was powered by 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 to 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 smooth highway driving. The ride was comfortable and refined, with a suspension that absorbed road imperfections without feeling overly soft. The F Sport variant offered an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which added a Sport+ mode for enhanced driving dynamics, including stiffer suspension and quicker steering response. Despite its Camry and Avalon roots, the ES's upgraded suspension and paddle shifters made for a more engaging driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. The Prius was available in front-wheel drive, with an all-wheel-drive variant (AWD-e) that used a second electric motor for the rear wheels, operating up to 43 mph. The Prius offered smooth acceleration, particularly at lower speeds, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It had three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each offering different performance characteristics. The unique shifter design required some adjustment, but the Prius's low center of gravity contributed to sharper handling than expected for a vehicle focused on efficiency. The ride was smooth, making it ideal for daily commutes.

The 2020 Lexus ES boasted a spacious cabin with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats could be adjusted far back without compromising rear-seat legroom, and rear-seat headroom was improved with the 2019 redesign. The front doors featured deep pockets, and the center console offered multiple storage options, including cupholders and trays. The ES provided 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was average for its class, but the rear seats did not fold down, limiting cargo flexibility.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its space, with deep door pockets and a large tray area between the front seats for storing small items. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with good visibility for the driver. The rear seats also offered ample space, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering or exiting. The Prius excelled in cargo capacity, offering 50.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the trim. This made the Prius one of the most versatile options among hybrid and electric vehicles, with its hatchback design facilitating easy loading of large items.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlled by a touch-sensitive pad in the center console. This system operated the standard 8-inch or optional 12.3-inch display, though it was not a touchscreen. The Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set, but navigating menus could be cumbersome. The ES came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a welcome addition for 2020. The infotainment system was complemented by a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. A head-up display was also available, offering crisp graphics and customization.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, featuring a user-friendly menu layout and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional features included Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a portrait layout, customizable for climate and entertainment controls, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display, and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a hallmark of Prius design, displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical information, with controls accessible via the steering wheel.

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies. This 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 limited semi-autonomous driving. Additional safety features included a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a range of standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and active park assist. The lane-tracing assist helped center the vehicle in its lane, reducing driver fatigue. The Prius received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to "average" scores in certain crash tests.