2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $26,370 to $36,240. The hybrid powertrain added a $1,600 premium, except for the Touring trim, where it represented a $460 savings. The Accord Hybrid was never available with the Sport trim. The Accord was praised for its excellent proportions, stance, style, and detailing, making it one of the best-looking cars in Honda's lineup. Minor front styling changes for 2021 included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim received new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new paint color, Sonic Gray Pearl.

The test vehicle was an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, which had a dark undertone that avoided the typical drab brightness of silver metallic paint. The new wheels looked great but were difficult to clean due to the gloss black inserts. The Lunar Silver model came with a Black interior, while other colors offered a high-contrast Ivory-over-Black two-tone appearance. The Accord's cabin looked upscale, with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. However, the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a disappointment. The controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with excellent outward visibility and a sculpted hood that made parking and maneuvering easier.

The 2022 Lexus ES had been a mainstay in the Lexus lineup since its debut in 1990. Over seven generations, it evolved into its current form, though sales had slumped since its peak in 2007. The ES was popular with an aging demographic, which posed a challenge for Lexus as it tried to attract younger buyers without alienating its loyal following. The latest generation, launched in 2018, used the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, supporting a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with optional all-wheel drive. The ES had elegant proportions and a sleek roofline, but the prominent "spindle" grille and assertive headlamp shapes were polarizing. The ES came standard with 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch and 19-inch options available.

The interior of the ES was nice but not overwhelmingly so. The dashboard was asymmetrical, giving the driver's side a cockpit feel but looking jumbled overall. The dash was precisely assembled with crisp, even gaps. The test car was an F Sport model with bold two-tone leather seating, which was attractive and sporty. Lexus also included a small analog chronometer in the touchscreen housing, which dated the dash and added to the clutter.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with the torque available immediately and remaining constant up to 2,000 rpm. The Accord Hybrid could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and returned 48 mpg in combined driving for most trim levels, while the Touring trim earned a 43-mpg rating due to its larger wheels and tires.

The powertrain control module determined which of three operational modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—was appropriate at any given time. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport Mode to tailor drivetrain characteristics. For 2021, Honda refined the powertrain for improved throttle response and a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's official rating. The car handled well, with athletic suspension tuning and excellent brake-by-wire regenerative braking. The Accord Hybrid was fun to drive, except when traveling over speed humps, which required slow speeds.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models, distinguished primarily by their powertrains. The base ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It could accelerate to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds and had an EPA rating of 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. The ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and an EPA rating of 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, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds and an EPA rating of 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined.

The test car was an ES 250 AWD, which had a strained engine note under heavy throttle. While it handled well and drove smoothly, it felt slow compared to its price and sport package. The ES 350's V6 would be more engaging for drivers, and the ES 300h offered excellent fuel economy. The ES 250's AWD didn't make a noticeable impact on driving performance.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered impressive interior space, competing as a midsize sedan but providing full-size sedan roominess. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and enormous back seat were highlights, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Touring trim added heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with an available wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins.

The Accord Hybrid's trunk was enormous at 16.7 cubic feet, the same size as other Accords and larger than any competitor in the segment. The trunk was deep enough to store full-size suitcases on their sides, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats expanded the car's utility further.

The 2022 Lexus ES had a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, which carried over to the hybrid ES 300h as the battery didn't impact storage. A pass-through behind the center armrest allowed long slim cargo to intrude into the cabin, and the second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 folded flat for additional space. The ES had a lower center of gravity and ground clearance than the Lexus RX, contributing to better handling, superior fuel economy, quicker acceleration, and a sleeker profile. The ES also had a tighter turning circle, making it easier to maneuver in confined areas.

Inside, the ES offered ample storage and convenience features, including big bottle pockets in each door, cupholders in the center console and rear fold-down armrest, and a large center console storage bin. The glove compartment was spacious, and the dash layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

For 2021, Honda made its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on the base Accord Hybrid, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EX trim and higher offered wireless connectivity for these platforms, improved USB port access, and standard 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on EX trim and higher. EX-L trim added a premium sound system, while Touring trim included navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well, but voice commands required specific prompts and pathways, which could be frustrating.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility. The base model included a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, USB audio input connections, Bluetooth, a CD player, HD radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month trial. Upper trim levels upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt surround sound audio, and navigation. The ES used a center console touchpad interface, which was better than the previous fixed mouse setup but still challenging to use on rough roads.

Upper trim levels and some models offered a 10-inch head-up display, providing critical information in the driver's line of sight. The ES also had an available Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist and auto braking, standard on upper trims. Lexus Enform connected services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, WiFi, Dynamic Navigation, and Destination Assist, with various trial memberships.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to its headlights. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard on all trims to achieve this rating. The Accord Hybrid also included a standard rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system. The Touring model gained low-speed braking control, a front and rear automatic emergency braking system for parking. The Honda Sensing suite of ADAS was refined for smoother and more accurate operation, though some features remained intrusive.

The 2022 Lexus ES received the highest safety ratings from both the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and NHTSA (five-star rating). The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign assist, Enhanced Lane-Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. The ES also had standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, 10 airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.