2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, timeless profile that was easily recognizable. The car's appearance, from the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, exuded a sense of pride and nostalgia without succumbing to overly retro influences. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 model featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims like the Touring L and 300S boasted adaptive HID lamps. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S, offering a variety of styles to suit different tastes.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES introduced the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive. The ES lineup included Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims, with the ES 300h hybrid variant offering significant fuel economy improvements. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition stood out with its unique styling elements, including 19-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and a black and white interior. The ES's design was sleek and modern, with a dramatic grille and artful detailing, particularly appealing in the F Sport trim.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed, but its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine delivered a respectable 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L trims, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also offered an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, the only V8 in its class. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, while all-wheel drive was a $2,750 option, though not available on the 300S. The driving experience varied by trim, with the V8-powered 300S providing a more exhilarating ride.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Drivers could choose between Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive damping suspension. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg combined. During testing, the ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its official acceleration time, offering a dynamic and enjoyable driving experience, especially in Sport and Sport+ modes. However, it was not an outright sports sedan, maintaining a balance between comfort and performance.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear, surpassing competitors like the Lexus ES350. The 300 provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it feel spacious compared to the ES350's 99.9 cubic feet. Trunk space was also ample, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, enough to accommodate four large suitcases.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring interior layout that was both stylish and functional. The ES 350 F Sport's front seats offered 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, with NuLuxe synthetic leather providing comfort and support. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The trunk, however, was smaller at 13.9 cubic feet, comparable to a Toyota Corolla. The ES's interior design included numerous storage nooks and crannies, though the wireless smartphone charger was inconveniently placed under the center armrest.

The 2021 Chrysler 300's instrument panel and center stack remained largely unchanged, featuring the intuitive Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. This system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with the option to upgrade to a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof through the $3,495 Popular Equipment Group.

The 2021 Lexus ES's infotainment system was less user-friendly due to its touchpad interface, which required drivers to look away from the road to operate. However, the ES offered separate climate and stereo controls, dynamic voice command technology, and an optional 12.3-inch widescreen display. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services with varying free trial periods. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium sound system, with an optional 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson sound system for audiophiles.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received mixed safety ratings, with top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available through higher trims and packages, such as the $2,395 SafetyTec Plus Group, which added forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.

The 2021 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims except the base. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, ensuring a high level of safety for occupants.