2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Lexus ES

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 could easily be recognized as a quintessential car. The 300's appearance, from the base trim to the high-end 300S, exuded a sense of pride and nostalgia without leaning into retrofuturism. The grille and headlights 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 offered adaptive HID lamps. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S, providing a robust and no-nonsense look.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since 1990, aimed to balance its appeal between an aging demographic and younger buyers. The latest generation, launched in 2018, featured the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, shared with models like the Lexus RX and Toyota Camry. The ES had elegant proportions with a sleek roofline and a prominent "spindle" grille, which was a matter of taste. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or 19-inch options. Inside, the ES offered a layered, asymmetrical dashboard with bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model, blending sporty aesthetics with a somewhat cluttered design.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed but offered solid performance with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and Touring L, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also had 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 on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, except on the 300S. The V6 provided a quiet and comfortable ride, while the V8 in the 300S offered a fun, albeit less powerful, experience compared to its Dodge Charger sibling.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models, each with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, achieving 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. It could go from 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds. The ES 350 had a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and achieving 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined and a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD, while smooth and predictable, felt underpowered compared to the more engaging ES 350 and the fuel-efficient ES 300h.

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. It provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it feel spacious compared to the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk offered 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for four large suitcases.

The 2022 Lexus ES, while not as spacious as the Chrysler 300, offered practical storage solutions with 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, unaffected by the hybrid battery in the ES 300h. The second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 folded flat, accommodating larger items. The ES had a lower center of gravity and better handling than its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX, along with superior fuel economy and a tighter turning circle. Inside, the ES featured ample storage, including big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a large glove compartment. The dashboard layout, though not aesthetically pleasing, was functional with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, praised for its intuitive interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system. Upper trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt surround sound audio, and navigation. The ES also featured a 10-inch head-up display, a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist, and Lexus Enform connected services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, WiFi, Dynamic Navigation, and Destination Assist.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored "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, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Lexus ES earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, with a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency services for three years.