2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

In the early 2010s, the Lexus ES was often criticized for its "boring" design. However, by 2020, Lexus had significantly revamped the ES to appear more aggressive, featuring a large spindle grille that integrated well with the car's larger proportions. The rear of the vehicle was more subdued, with thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows, giving it a sleek, elongated look. Inside, the ES boasted a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen that blended seamlessly into the dashboard. The interior was often compared favorably to Mercedes-Benz, with trims ranging from the base 350 FWD to the sporty 350 F Sport, which featured unique design elements and exclusive color options.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, retained much of its 2020 facelift design, which had been its first major update in nearly a decade. The Passat's exterior was understated, resembling the smaller Volkswagen Jetta, and featured a smooth, aerodynamic shape with a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with SE and R-Line models offering larger wheels and sportier styling elements. The interior was clean and functional, with well-placed analog controls and a low dashboard for enhanced visibility. However, the materials used were mostly plastic, and the overall design was considered plain by some.

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with 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 the Dynamic Control Shocks, with an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) available on the F Sport trim. The AVS offered adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, including Sport+ for a more engaging driving experience. While not a high-performance vehicle, the ES provided confident acceleration and precise steering, making it a solid choice for those seeking a comfortable yet capable luxury sedan.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the torque output was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The Passat's power delivery felt uneven at times, particularly during highway overtakes, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears helped improve responsiveness. The overall driving experience was unremarkable, with the Passat neither excelling in sportiness nor comfort. It was a plain midsize sedan that offered a decent ride quality and cabin noise levels but lacked excitement.

The 2020 Lexus ES offered a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could be adjusted to provide plenty of legroom for rear-seat passengers, and the 2019 redesign had expanded rear-seat headroom. The front doors featured deep pockets, and the center console had multiple retractable panels for storage. The ES provided 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 ability to transport larger items.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, meanwhile, boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than some competitors but still generous. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The driving position was uncomfortable for many, with limited thigh support and flat, hard rear seats. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space, more than some rivals but less than others. In-cabin storage was limited, with door bottle holders poorly shaped for large bottles. The layout of controls was a strong point, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlled by a touch-sensitive pad in the center console. The system operated an 8-inch or optional 12.3-inch display, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system included real hard buttons for easy navigation, and the ES could be equipped with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system and a head-up display. The system was intuitive once presets were set, but some users found navigating through menus challenging.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Passat had a single USB-A port for connectivity, with two additional rear charge-only ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and the dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls made basic functions easy to manage. However, the Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 system.

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 limited semi-autonomous driving. Additional safety features included front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 model. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the Intelligent Crash Response System.