2021 Lexus ES vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 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), priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive (FWD). Available in Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims, the ES 250 and ES 350 offered a range of options. Additionally, the ES 300h hybrid variant provided better fuel economy at a premium of $1,910. Lexus also introduced a limited-production Black Line Special Edition for the ES 350, featuring unique styling elements and a matching set of Zero Halliburton luggage.

The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition test car came loaded with features like triple-beam LED headlights, adaptive variable suspension, and a head-up display, totaling an MSRP of $54,070. The F Sport trim added 19-inch wheels, unique styling details, and a sporty interior. The Black Line Special Edition offered exclusive black and white interior and exterior elements. Despite its dramatic grille, the ES was a sleek and well-designed sedan, with the F Sport trim adding a particularly appealing touch.

Honda offered the 2022 Civic sedan in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $21,700 to $28,300, excluding a $995 destination charge. A new five-door hatchback was also set to return, while the two-door coupe was discontinued. The Civic Touring test vehicle, priced at $29,690, featured the new Morning Mist Blue paint. Another model, the Civic Sport with the HPD appearance package, was estimated at just under $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic had a more conservative and mature appearance, resembling the larger Accord sedan. The interior adopted a minimalistic approach, with a metal honeycomb mesh running across the dashboard to hide the air vents. Improved materials and a more mature design were evident, especially in the Touring trim. The Civic's new look aimed to appeal to those who found the previous model's styling too bold.

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, it averaged 22.9 mpg.

The ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its claimed acceleration time, though it struggled with traction due to its front-wheel-drive setup. The car's firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism were impressive, though it was not an outright sports sedan. The ES 350 F Sport offered a sporty yet comfortable driving experience, distinguishing itself from Lexus's dedicated sports sedans like the IS 350 F Sport and IS 500 F Sport Performance.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the EX and Touring trims. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) with new Step Shift programming. The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for enhanced responsiveness.

The Civic's improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel made it enjoyable to drive, especially in the Sport and Touring trims. The Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop, slightly below the EPA estimate of 34 mpg. The Civic's predictable and consistent performance made it a reliable and enjoyable compact sedan for various driving scenarios.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring yet functional interior layout. The ES 350 F Sport had sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, providing excellent comfort. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and an available power rear window sunshade. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of space, with a hands-free power trunk available.

The ES's interior had excellent outward visibility, though storage was somewhat oddly configured with numerous small compartments. The wireless smartphone charger was tucked under the center armrest, adding to the unconventional storage layout. Despite these quirks, the ES provided a comfortable and accommodating interior for both front and rear passengers.

The 2022 Honda Civic continued its tradition of comfort with redesigned front seats offering better support. The Touring trim featured a power driver's seat with heating but no ventilation. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but provided excellent thigh support. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, though the rear seat offered ample legroom and thigh support.

The Civic's interior redesign included a new center console with less storage space but more accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim. The trunk provided 14.8 cubic feet of space, or 14.4 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system components. The split-folding backseat added utility, and a small handle on the trunk lid facilitated closing.

The 2021 Lexus ES had a problematic touchpad interface that required drivers to look away from the road to operate. However, the climate and primary stereo controls were separate and easily accessible. The ES featured dynamic voice command technology, a 12.3-inch widescreen display, and a standard 8-inch display. The larger screen included a dynamic navigation system and connected services with free trial periods.

The ES came with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. A 10-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson high-end sound system available. The dynamic voice command technology was free for 10 years, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display in the Touring trim offering greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display showed the status of the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals, enhancing safety. The standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The Civic Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The Touring trim also featured a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system, providing a rich audio experience. The voice recognition technology performed well, representing a significant improvement over the previous generation.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0 (LSS 2.0), which bundled advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) such as 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 ADAS proved effective during testing, though the lane-centering technology occasionally struggled. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ensuring a high level of safety.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite of ADAS, including Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic EX and Touring trims included a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Civic's new vehicle architecture provided better protection in collisions, and new front airbag designs offered improved head protection. The Civic also featured rear side-impact airbags and a standard rear-seat reminder system. The improved safety features and robust design made the Civic a safer choice for drivers.