2021 Lexus ES vs 2020 Lexus ES

In the early 2010s, the Lexus ES was often dismissed by critics as a “boring” choice among luxury sedans. However, Lexus took this feedback seriously and began to transform the ES into a more assertive and appealing vehicle. By 2016, the large spindle grille was introduced, and this design language was further enhanced in the 2020 model. The grille on the 2020 Lexus ES was significantly larger and complemented by the car’s increased overall proportions. While the grille might have seemed overwhelming to some, it integrated well with the car's more substantial size and added bolder aesthetics.

From the rear, the 2020 ES adopted a subtler approach, featuring elongated taillamps that mirrored the sleek design of the headlights. A distinctive bend near the rear side windows helped to visually separate this long, low-profile sedan.

Inside, the 2020 ES cabin embraced modern technology balanced with an organic design, rich with soft-touch materials. The dashboard was dominated by a prominent infotainment screen that blended smoothly into the contour lines leading up to the instrument panel. Among luxury sedans, only Mercedes-Benz was praised for executing a superior interior.

Trim options for the 2020 ES consisted of the 350 FWD (base), Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport. Standard features included a power moonroof, synthetic leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity entry, and a push-button start. Notably, it featured an 8-inch infotainment screen with newly standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Additional packages were available to enhance the versatility and luxury of the vehicle. These included the Premium Package at $1,375, adding heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, memory settings for the driver's seat, and a power tilt-telescoping steering wheel. The Navigation Package at $1,820 upgraded the infotainment screen to 12.3 inches, incorporating navigation and a voice command system. Further, the Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package cost $2,000 for the base and Luxury trims, and $1,800 for the Ultra Luxury trim, adding high-quality audio with 17 speakers among other features.

The ES 350 Luxury incorporated perforated leather seats, woodgrain trim, ambient cabin lighting, and elements from the Premium Package. The Ultra Luxury added touches such as a hands-free power trunk, semi-aniline leather upholstery, a power rear-window sunshade, and manual side-rear window shades.

The top-tier 350 F Sport took the ES into a sportier direction, featuring a distinctive black mesh grille, unique 19-inch alloy wheels, and available color options like Sonic Blue and Pearl White. Inside, the F Sport was accentuated with aluminum trim, unique bucket seats, aluminum pedals, and an exclusive Circuit Red color option.

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup to include the new ES 250 with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), offered at the same price as the front-wheel-drive (FWD) ES 350 with its 3.5-liter V6 engine. The trims available for both models were Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury.

Moreover, Lexus introduced the ES 300h, a gas-electric hybrid variant priced $1,910 higher, offered across Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. This version promised significant fuel savings.

For 2021, Lexus added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard, except for the base trim. Another major highlight for the year was the limited-production ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, which showcased unique styling variations and custom features.

Our 2021 ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition came with several high-end additions such as additional paint options, triple-beam LED headlights, illuminated door sill plates, an adaptive variable suspension, and modes like Sport+ and Custom for a tailored driving experience. It also featured perks like a head-up display, hands-free power trunk opener, and wireless smartphone charging. With all the options, the test car tallied an MSRP of $54,070, including destination charges.

Design changes in the F Sport trim included 19-inch wheels with a gray finish, distinctive front and rear styling, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, F Sport instrumentation, and a black headliner. The Black Line Special Edition was offered in exclusive colors such as Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0, and included blacked-out elements like wheels, side mirrors, and rear spoiler. A unique interior complemented the dramatic styling with a striking black and white theme and it also came equipped with a matching Zero Halliburton luggage set.

The ES’s signature large grille was a consistent element, though it still divided opinions. Overall, the 2021 ES retained its smooth, sleek, and artfully detailed exterior, with the F Sport trim adding a sportier and more aggressive touch.

The 2020 Lexus ES was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produced 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This power was transmitted to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claimed that this setup could achieve 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 131 mph. Although the ES was not aimed at being a high-performance car, its acceleration was considered confident, providing an effortless highway drive and smooth passing maneuvers.

The ride quality of the 2020 ES was particularly commendable, focusing on a comfortable and refined driving experience. The suspension was adept at absorbing road imperfections without feeling overly soft or wallowing. Steering was light yet precise, making for a relaxed driving demeanor.

The sophisticated ride was largely attributed to the Dynamic Control Shocks, while the F Sport variant offered the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) as an option. This system included adjustable dampers controllable through the Drive Mode Select Dial. Non-AVS models had drive modes including Eco, Normal, and Sport, whereas with AVS, an additional Sport+ mode enhanced the driving dynamics, offering stiffer suspension, quicker steering response, and more aggressive throttle and transmission mapping. Our test F Sport model also featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, adding a touch of sportiness to the driving experience.

While the ES wasn’t designed as a hot performer, the combination of the upgraded suspension and paddle shifters made for an engaging drive. It could tackle corners more confidently, albeit still favoring comfort over sporty aggression. Those seeking a higher-performance midsize luxury sedan might consider the now-discontinued Lexus GS 350 F Sport or the more powerful GS F with its 467-horsepower V8 engine.

In 2021, the Lexus ES 350 continued with its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering the same 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. Drivers could switch between Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes.

Opting for the adaptive damping suspension added Sport+ and Custom driving modes, which were included in our F Sport test vehicle.

According to Lexus, the 2021 ES 350 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg in combined driving. Our test loop average was 22.9 mpg.

From behind the wheel, the ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than the claimed acceleration time, partly because it was easy to break the front tires loose. The F Sport seemed to crave a torque-vectoring AWD system similar to Acura's TLX SH-AWD.

Testing included drives in Normal and Sport modes, with a focused run in Sport+ mode. The differences between the drive modes were notable, with the Sport modes adding a layer of driving enjoyment.

Despite its reputation as a comfortable cruiser, the ES 350 F Sport demonstrated unexpected competence in handling and athleticism. It featured a slightly firmer ride, flat cornering, and overall agility, which were impressive for the ES category. However, it still remained a sporty sedan rather than a pure sports sedan.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats offered plenty of adjustment, ensuring rear-seat passengers were still left with generous legroom. Despite the exterior semblance suggesting limited headroom, Lexus cleverly expanded rear headroom with the 2019 redesign, accommodating all but the tallest occupants comfortably.

Storage was well catered to, with deep front door pockets capable of holding water bottles and a thoughtfully laid-out center console featuring retractable panels for cupholders and small-item storage like phones, wallets, and keys. The center console bin was also reasonably sized.

Cargo capacity for the 2020 ES stood at 16.7 cubic feet, a mid-range figure for the midsize luxury segment. For comparison, the BMW 5 Series offered 18.7 cubic feet, Mercedes-Benz E-Class had 13.1 cubic feet, and Audi A6 sported 13.7 cubic feet. A significant limitation of the ES’s trunk space was the inability to fold down the rear seats, restricting space for larger items.

The 2021 Lexus ES continued to deliver on form and function, with front sport-bolstered seats offering 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather closely mimicked real leather, with long bottom cushions providing excellent thigh support, ensuring front-seat comfort.

Rear-seat passengers enjoyed substantial space, with sufficient foot and legroom. The rear seating offered supportive cushions, an excellent backrest angle, and conveniences like rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. However, the lack of a panoramic glass roof was a drawback.

Visibility from the driver's seat was commendable, thanks to thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors. While storage was plentiful, it was somewhat oddly arranged into several nooks and crannies versus large bins. The wireless smartphone charger was positioned under the center armrest, which though unique, could be inconvenient.

The 2021 ES had a trunk capacity of 13.9 cubic feet, slightly higher than a Toyota Corolla but markedly less than its predecessor. The hands-free power trunk, operational with a kick under the bumper, was a practical addition.

The technology at the heart of the 2020 ES was the Lexus Remote Touch system. The touch-sensitive square in the center console controlled either the standard 8-inch or the available 12.3-inch display. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a touchscreen, but the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once familiarized. Despite the possibility of getting lost in menus and submenus, Lexus provided physical buttons like Menu and Back for quick navigation.

For 2020, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were introduced—long overdue additions, making the system significantly more user-friendly. The CarPlay interface, in particular, utilized the full screen, enhancing navigation and overall usability.

The ES featured standard 10-speaker premium audio and an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson system. A head-up display with clear, customizable graphics was also available.

In 2021, the Lexus ES kept the same Remote Touch interface but continued to face criticism. The requirement to look at the screen while using the touchpad and the ease of overshooting the intended target were recurring usability issues. However, there was a bright side.

Climate and primary stereo controls were separated, situated on the dashboard, with easily accessible volume and tuning knobs within close reach of the driver. The ES’s dynamic voice command technology was highly effective, and once mastered, allowed users to bypass the touchpad frequently.

The available 12.3-inch widescreen display offered a stunning visual experience, yet the lack of touchscreen functionality was a missed opportunity. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and HD Radio, with varying trials for connected services. Remarkably, a CD player was still part of the package.

With the larger screen, the ES added dynamic navigation and Destination Assist, both with three-year subscriptions. The dynamic voice command technology was free for 10 years.

The 2021 ES also featured a standard 10-speaker sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson system for superior audio quality.

Every 2020 Lexus ES was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, a comprehensive driver assistance suite. This package included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured pedestrian and cyclist detection. The lane-keep assist provided minor steering corrections to keep the vehicle aligned, while the new lane-tracing assist could autonomously follow the highway lane and even trail the car ahead in limited semi-autonomous driving.

In addition to these technologies, the ES had a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

For 2021, every ES continued to feature Lexus Safety System 2.0 (LSS 2.0), incorporating forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a road-sign recognition system, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were now standard, except for the base trim—a necessary and welcome inclusion.

Operating the ADAS was manageable through controls on the steering wheel. On a practical journey through Los Angeles, these systems showed their effectiveness, though with occasional hiccups in lane-centering technology and recognizing vehicles cutting in.

Despite these minor issues, the 2021 Lexus ES earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.