2021 Lexus ES vs 2022 Audi A4

For the 2021 model year, the Lexus ES lineup expanded to include the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). These models were priced similarly to the ES 350, which came with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive (FWD). The ES 250 and ES 350 were available in Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. Additionally, Lexus offered the ES 300h, a gas-electric hybrid version, which commanded a premium of $1,910 and provided significant fuel economy gains. The ES 300h was available in Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. Lexus also made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all versions except the base trim. A new limited-production Black Line Special Edition of the ES 350 debuted, featuring unique styling elements and a matching two-piece set of Zero Halliburton luggage.

The test car, an ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, came loaded with extra-cost paint, triple-beam LED headlights, an adaptive variable suspension, Sport+ and Custom driving modes, a Navigation Package, wireless smartphone charging, a head-up display, a power rear window shade, a hands-free power trunk opener, and a protective film on the rear bumper. The MSRP was $54,070, including the destination charge. The F Sport trim added 19-inch wheels, unique front and rear styling details, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, F Sport instrumentation, and a black headliner. The Black Line Special Edition featured black wheels, black side mirrors, a black rear spoiler, and a black and white interior. The ES’s dramatic grille required some acclimation, but the overall design was long, lean, and artfully detailed. The black and white interior offered a striking contrast, and the quality materials and high design made it unmistakably a Lexus.

The Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad (a station wagon with SUV styling cues and a slightly higher ride height), and an S4 performance-tuned model with a more powerful engine. The A4 came in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series and Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. Prices started at under $40,000 and rose to over $50,000. The test car was a Prestige 45 TFSI with Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, the S-line Interior package, and ventilated front seats, with an MSRP of $55,890, including the $1,095 destination charge.

The A4’s simple, clean, and conservative appearance served as a perfect canvas for the Tango Red paint, Black Optic package detailing, and classic five-arm rotor-design wheels. Inside, the A4 exhibited similar aesthetic restraint, with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting. The test car’s black interior was accented with aluminum trim, gloss black décor, and metallic accents, avoiding a cave-like feel. The air vents were integrated into the dashboard, and the controls were properly labeled. The only downside was the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system, which looked out of place.

Every 2021 Lexus ES 350 had a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission delivering power to 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, and the EPA rated its fuel economy at 25 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the ES 350 F Sport averaged 22.9 mpg.

The ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its claimed acceleration time, though it could benefit from a torque-vectoring AWD system. The car exhibited unexpected competence and genuine driving enjoyment in Sport modes, with a firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism. However, it was not an outright sports sedan, as the Lexus IS 350 F Sport and IS 500 F Sport Performance filled that role.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and standard Quattro Ultra AWD. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 29 mpg in combined driving, and Audi claimed it could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI test car had 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, with a lowered sport suspension. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, and the EPA rated its fuel economy at 27 mpg in combined driving. The test car averaged 24.8 mpg.

The A4’s Quattro Ultra AWD system powered the front wheels unless conditions warranted power transfer to the rear wheels. The A4 45 TFSI delivered a refined engine, solid torque, and excellent tire grip. The S-tronic DCT behaved beautifully, and the brakes performed flawlessly. The steering was adequate but could be improved. The A4’s structure and suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation, and the car was remarkably quiet.

The 2021 Lexus ES had a daring interior layout that was still useful, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather looked and felt like the real deal, and the bottom cushions provided excellent thigh support. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom, a comfortable seating position, rear air conditioning vents, and an available power rear window sunshade. Outward visibility was excellent, and storage was plentiful but oddly configured. The trunk measured 13.9 cubic feet, with an optional hands-free power trunk.

The 2022 Audi A4 sat low to the ground, making entry and exit challenging. However, the front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The A4 had a three-zone automatic climate control system, and the layout and switchgear were intuitive. The back seat was comfortable for shorter trips, but space was limited, and getting in and out was a challenge. Interior storage space was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The A4’s 13 cubic-foot trunk was nicely finished, with storage nets and grab handles for easy closure.

The 2021 Lexus ES had a problematic touchpad interface, requiring drivers to look at the screen and track their fingertip to select functions. However, the climate controls and primary stereo controls were separate, and the dynamic voice command technology was excellent. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen display looked terrific but needed to be a touchscreen. The ES included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services. The 10-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson high-end sound system available.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common smartphone functions and offered acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect connected services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was simple to configure, and the voice recognition technology was accurate but slow. The climate controls were separate from the touchscreen, and the lack of traditional knobs and buttons was not an issue.

Every 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0 (LSS 2.0), which bundled several advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) together. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, a road-sign recognition system, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all versions except the base trim. The ADAS proved effective, though occasionally the lane-centering technology wanted to put up a fight. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Audi A4 stair-stepped the availability of its safety features, with the top-of-the-line Prestige model including all the bells and whistles. Under the Audi Pre Sense umbrella, the A4 Prestige included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The test vehicle also had lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The driver assistance tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control had a delayed reaction in some situations. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.