2020 Lexus ES vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Toyota Corolla
$19,600MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2020 Lexus ES
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2020 Toyota Corolla
$19,600MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Corolla is 7.0 out of 10, while the 2020 Lexus ES scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Lexus ES is the recommended choice for those seeking a more luxurious and refined driving experience.

Overview

MSRP

$19,600

MSRP

$39,900

Average price

$18,000

Average price

$30,624

Listings

1463

Listings

203
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10
Pros
  • Manual transmission available
  • Premium interior materials
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Uncomfortable seats
Pros
  • Premium interior materials
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Not much cargo space
  • Fairly pedestrian performance

2020 Toyota Corolla Reviews Summary

If ever a car was to be described as an appliance, the Toyota Corolla was it. Cheap to buy, dependable as a sunrise, thrifty with fuel, and roomy enough for a frugal family, the Corolla faithfully delivered its owners to their destinations without a hint of fuss... or emotion. That changes with the redesigned 2020 Toyota Corolla, which adds a sense of style and a bit of thrill to its longstanding mission.

2020 Lexus ES Reviews Summary

SUVs might dominate the luxury car market, but many luxury brands were built on sedans, like the 2020 Lexus ES. While crossovers and SUVs combine added cargo space with all-weather driving capability, sedans are all about driving in comfort. Lower ride height allows sedans to be far more refined in on-road driving dynamics, offer better fuel economy, and still have enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags. SUVs might have the attributes that you might need in certain scenarios, but sedans like the 2020 Lexus ES excel in ways that are relevant in everyday driving.

The 2020 Lexus ES is one year off a complete redesign, though it maintains the same comfort-first formula. It is available in a racy 350 F Sport trim level, but don’t expect any major leaps in performance. The ES delivers on a serene ride and a quiet, well-appointed cabin. For 2020, the ES gains some in-cabin tech features, joining a long list of standard technology.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.8L 139 hp I4

Engine

3.5L 302 hp V6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

Horsepower

302 hp @ 6600 rpm

MPG City

30

MPG City

22

MPG Highway

38

MPG Highway

32
2020 Toyota Corolla
2020 Toyota Corolla
$19,600MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Lexus ES
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Toyota Corolla
$19,600MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Lexus ES
$39,900MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Toyota Corolla is 7.0 out of 10, while the 2020 Lexus ES scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Lexus ES is the recommended choice for those seeking a more luxurious and refined driving experience.

Overview
MSRP
$19,600
$39,900
Average price
$18,000
$30,624
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.6
4.8
Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Manual transmission available
  • Premium interior materials
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Uncomfortable seats
Pros
  • Premium interior materials
  • Standard advanced safety features
Cons
  • Not much cargo space
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
Summary
If ever a car was to be described as an appliance, the Toyota Corolla was it. Cheap to buy, dependable as a sunrise, thrifty with fuel, and roomy enough for a frugal family, the Corolla faithfully delivered its owners to their destinations without a hint of fuss... or emotion. That changes with the redesigned 2020 Toyota Corolla, which adds a sense of style and a bit of thrill to its longstanding mission.

SUVs might dominate the luxury car market, but many luxury brands were built on sedans, like the 2020 Lexus ES. While crossovers and SUVs combine added cargo space with all-weather driving capability, sedans are all about driving in comfort. Lower ride height allows sedans to be far more refined in on-road driving dynamics, offer better fuel economy, and still have enough room for a weekend’s worth of bags. SUVs might have the attributes that you might need in certain scenarios, but sedans like the 2020 Lexus ES excel in ways that are relevant in everyday driving.

The 2020 Lexus ES is one year off a complete redesign, though it maintains the same comfort-first formula. It is available in a racy 350 F Sport trim level, but don’t expect any major leaps in performance. The ES delivers on a serene ride and a quiet, well-appointed cabin. For 2020, the ES gains some in-cabin tech features, joining a long list of standard technology.

Video
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.8L 139 hp I4
3.5L 302 hp V6
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
302 hp @ 6600 rpm
MPG City
30
22
MPG Highway
38
32
Look and feel
2020 Toyota Corolla
8/10
2020 Lexus ES
9/10

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, with its redesigned look, was not universally praised for its aesthetics. However, when equipped with SE or XSE trim and the attractive Celestite paint color, it presented a more appealing compact sedan. The interior quality saw significant improvements, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the cheap plastics of previous models. Despite these enhancements, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of the Corolla's economy car status. The base price started at $19,600, with the top XSE trim costing around $28,800.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus ES underwent a transformation from its earlier "boring" label to a more aggressive design, highlighted by a large spindle grille. The rear design was more subdued, with thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows. Inside, the ES offered a blend of modern technology and soft-touch materials, with a large infotainment screen integrated into the dash. The ES 350 F Sport trim added unique exterior and interior features, including a black mesh grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and aluminum trim accents.

Performance
2020 Toyota Corolla
7/10
2020 Lexus ES
7/10

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE trims came with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, a sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Corolla XSE's driving dynamics were well-tuned, providing a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the lack of a turbocharger limited its acceleration capabilities. The XSE trim was EPA-rated at 31 mpg city, 38 highway, and 34 combined, with real-world testing averaging 29.8 mpg.

The 2020 Lexus ES was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. The ES provided confident acceleration and a comfortable, refined ride, thanks to its Dynamic Control Shocks. The F Sport trim offered an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, enhancing the driving experience. While not a high-performance machine, the ES handled corners confidently and provided a smooth ride.

Form and function
2020 Toyota Corolla
6/10
2020 Lexus ES
6/10

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite being a compact car, offered a roomy interior, officially rated as a midsize car by the EPA. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and privacy-tinted rear glass made it less comfortable for rear passengers. The front seats were comfortable, but the low seating position made entry and exit challenging. Storage space was limited, with small cupholders and few storage bins. The trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of space, enough for a couple of suitcases and additional bags.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console offered multiple storage trays and a reasonably sized bin. The ES provided 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, mid-pack for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting the ability to carry larger items.

Technology
2020 Toyota Corolla
7/10
2020 Lexus ES
8/10

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came with the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, volume and tuning knobs, and main menu access buttons. Higher trims offered additional features like advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, and a JBL premium sound system. The standard setup provided essential connectivity, especially for iPhone users.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, controlling either an 8-inch or 12.3-inch display. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the CarPlay screen taking up the entire display. 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.

Safety
2020 Toyota Corolla
7/10
2020 Lexus ES
10/10

The 2020 Toyota Corolla was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, including low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system operated with impressive refinement, though the lane-departure warning alert was irritating. The Corolla received a 5-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, featuring forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. The system also included pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist. The ES was equipped with a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Cost Effectiveness
2020 Toyota Corolla
7/10
2020 Lexus ES
8/10
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