2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Lexus ES had evolved significantly from its earlier "boring" label. By 2020, it featured a more aggressive design, highlighted by a large spindle grille that integrated well with the car's larger proportions. The rear design was more subdued, with thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows. Inside, the ES boasted a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen, making it one of the best interiors in its class, second only to Mercedes-Benz.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Prius retained its distinctive "boomerang on wheels" styling, which had become part of its identity since the second-generation model. Despite its aerodynamic design, the Prius's look was not universally praised. The interior was equally unconventional, with a central strip of displays and a unique transmission control setup. Gloss-black trim added a modern touch but was prone to dust and fingerprints. The Prius offered a range of trims, including the L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with options for front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque through 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 ride was comfortable and refined, thanks to Dynamic Control Shocks and an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) in the F Sport trim. The AVS added a Sport+ mode, enhancing steering response and throttle mapping, making the ES more engaging to drive.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. Despite its modest power, the Prius felt lively off the line, thanks to the electric motor's instant torque. The car's TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity, improving handling on curvy roads. However, the Prius's performance was more about maximizing fuel efficiency than delivering a thrilling driving experience.

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 center console featured multiple retractable panels for storage, and the trunk provided 16.7 cubic feet of space. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to carry larger items.

The 2021 Toyota Prius, despite its compact appearance, offered a surprisingly roomy interior. It could accommodate up to five people, with comfortable seats covered in SofTex synthetic leather. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom, though they lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlled by a touch-sensitive pad in the center console. The system included an 8-inch or optional 12.3-inch display, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson system. A head-up display was available, providing crisp graphics and customization options.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system and an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The digital instrumentation, housed in a strip at the top of the dashboard, looked dated and lacked sophistication.

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. Additional features included pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist. The ES also had a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, providing collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator.