2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Lexus ES had undergone a significant transformation from its earlier iterations, which were often criticized for being "boring." By 2020, Lexus had made the ES look more aggressive, featuring a large spindle grille that had grown even larger compared to previous models. This massive grille, which initially seemed out of place, now meshed well with the car's larger proportions. The rear of the ES was more subdued, with thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows, adding a touch of visual interest to this long, low sedan.

Inside, the ES offered an elegant blend of modern technology and organic aesthetics, featuring soft-touch materials throughout the cabin. The center of the dashboard was dominated by a large infotainment screen, seamlessly integrated into the dash. The interior was often compared favorably to luxury sedans from Mercedes-Benz. The 2020 ES came in various trims, including the base 350 FWD, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport, each offering a range of standard and optional features to enhance comfort and convenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, on the other hand, was a standout in the compact sedan segment, thanks to its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing. The car's exterior was a collection of sharp creases and dramatic angles, making it instantly recognizable. The Z-shaped dent in the doors, a controversial design cue, added to its unique character. The Elantra came in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with a hybrid powertrain option available for the SEL and Limited.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering more luxurious and high-tech interiors. The Limited and Hybrid Limited trims in Gray were particularly impressive, offering a modern and upscale look. The Elantra also provided ample rear-seat legroom, making it nearly as spacious as the larger Hyundai Sonata. However, it lacked some features like air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers.

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. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. While not a performance machine, the ES offered confident acceleration and a comfortable, refined ride. The suspension absorbed road bumps well, and the steering was light yet precise. The F Sport trim added an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with adjustable dampers, enhancing the driving experience with modes like Sport+.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a variety of powertrains. The standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 139 horsepower and offering impressive fuel efficiency. The sporty N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The Elantra N also featured an electronically controlled suspension, larger brakes, and a variable-valve exhaust system, making it a driving enthusiast's dream.

The 2020 Lexus ES offered a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could slide back significantly without compromising rear-seat legroom. The rear-seat headroom was also improved in the 2019 redesign. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console featured multiple retractable panels for storage. The ES had 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was mid-pack for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the car's cargo flexibility.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior. The driver’s seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The Elantra provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom, with ample space for adults. However, the backrest shape and angle were not ideal for upper back support, and the car lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers. The trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, and the 60/40-split folding rear seat enhanced its utility.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, a touch-sensitive pad controlling the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. While not a touchscreen, the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easier to navigate and use smartphone features. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system. A head-up display was available, providing crisp graphics and customization options.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in SE, SEL, and N Line trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen. This setup, similar to Mercedes-Benz, offered a significant wow factor. The Elantra also included a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a new Bose premium sound system. Hyundai Digital Key was available, allowing Android-based smartphones to unlock, lock, and start the car.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard 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, which could follow the lane of traffic and the car in front in a limited semi-autonomous function. The ES also had a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform designed to absorb and disperse collision energy. Every Elantra came with SmartSense, Hyundai’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention warning system. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims offered cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist.