2020 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Lexus ES

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback styles, offered a unique aesthetic appeal. The hatchback, with its curvaceous design, stood out on the road and was often highlighted in promotional materials. Despite the hatchback's allure, many U.S. consumers preferred the sedan, which aligned more closely with the market's premium competitors. The sedan's design was marked by a sleek, sculpted profile, with minimal straight lines, setting it apart from rivals like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. However, the sedan's rear design seemed slightly disproportionate, especially when compared to the larger Mazda6. Inside, the Mazda3 embraced a minimalist design with high-quality materials, such as creamy white leather and slim steering wheel buttons, creating a cockpit-like feel. Despite its premium aspirations, the Mazda3's construction felt less robust, with a lightweight feel to its doors and trunk.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard AWD. The ES 350, with a 3.5-liter V6 and FWD, offered various trims, including the F Sport and Ultra Luxury. The ES 300h hybrid variant provided enhanced fuel economy. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, with its unique styling and limited production, was particularly striking. The ES's design, characterized by its dramatic grille and sleek lines, was complemented by the F Sport's sporty enhancements. Inside, the ES boasted a black and white interior with high-quality materials, maintaining Lexus's reputation for luxury. Despite sharing a platform with the Toyota Avalon, the ES's design and materials firmly established it as a Lexus.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3's performance was somewhat compromised by its torsion beam rear suspension, a cost-cutting measure that replaced the previous multi-link setup. While this change might not deter buyers focused on aesthetics, enthusiasts missed the superior handling of the older suspension. The Mazda3's steering remained precise, with minimal body roll, though it could be jostled by road imperfections. Under the hood, the Mazda3 featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine, delivering 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous generation's 2.0-liter engine. The engine, while reliable, lacked the immediate punch of turbocharged options. A manual transmission was available, but only in specific configurations, with most models featuring a six-speed automatic.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, produced 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could choose from Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with additional Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive damping suspension. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. During testing, the ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its official acceleration time, though it could benefit from a torque-vectoring AWD system. The ES 350 F Sport offered a dynamic driving experience, with firm ride quality and flat cornering, though it was not a true sports sedan. The ES's performance was more about comfort and competence, aligning with its reputation as a luxury cruiser.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was more compact at 175.6 inches. Despite its size, the Mazda3 provided ample space for the driver, with adjustable front seats and supportive materials. The rear seat, however, was tight on legroom, and the transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback. The sedan's trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment.

The 2021 Lexus ES offered a daring interior layout that was both functional and comfortable. The ES 350 F Sport featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather provided a luxurious feel, and the rear seats offered good legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power sunshade. Visibility was excellent, and storage was plentiful, though the configuration was unconventional. The trunk measured 13.9 cubic feet, slightly more than a Toyota Corolla, with an optional hands-free power trunk for added convenience.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display integrated into the dashboard, eliminating the "tacked-on" look. However, Mazda removed touchscreen functionality, opting for a rotary dial controller for navigation and infotainment. This system, while initially challenging, was intuitive once mastered. The Mazda3 included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM, with faster software and sharp graphics. The head-up display reflected off the windshield, enhancing the premium feel.

The 2021 Lexus ES faced challenges with its touchpad interface, requiring drivers to focus on the screen to navigate. However, the ES offered separate climate and stereo controls, dynamic voice command technology, and an optional 12.3-inch widescreen display. The ES included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM, with free trial periods for connected services. A 10-speaker premium sound system was standard, with an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson system for enhanced audio quality.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It offered advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more, often standard in mass-market vehicles.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on most trims. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.