2021 Lexus ES vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup to include the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). This model was priced similarly to the ES 350, which had a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive (FWD). Both the ES 250 and ES 350 were available in Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. Additionally, the ES 300h hybrid variant offered improved fuel economy for a premium of $1,910. Lexus also made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on all trims except the base model. A limited-production Black Line Special Edition of the ES 350 debuted, featuring unique styling elements and a matching set of Zero Halliburton luggage.

The test car, an ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, came loaded with features like triple-beam LED headlights, an adaptive variable suspension, and a Navigation Package, bringing its MSRP to $54,070. The F Sport trim added 19-inch wheels, unique styling details, and a black headliner. The Black Line Special Edition was available in black, white, or Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0, with black wheels and a black and white interior. The ES’s dramatic grille required some getting used to, but the overall design was sleek and artfully detailed. The black and white interior of the test car provided a striking contrast, emphasizing the high-quality materials and design.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued in both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the 2.0 sedan, 2.5 S, and 2.5 Turbo models. The 2.5 S lineup offered the most variety, with five trim levels and a choice between FWD and AWD. The 2.5 S Premium hatchback was the only model with a six-speed manual transmission. Prices ranged from $20,800 to $34,400, excluding a $1,015 destination charge. The test car was a top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus hatchback, priced at $35,810.

The Mazda3’s design was polarizing, with deeply sculpted flanks and a hatchback that some might call a “hunchback.” However, its mature and serious appearance, devoid of flashy elements, was appreciated by many. The interior featured refined materials and sophisticated design, with polished metallic finishes adding an upscale touch. The Mazda3 offered a compelling alternative to entry-level luxury cars, delivering more value for less money, though it lacked the perceived cachet of luxury brands.

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 on models with the adaptive damping suspension. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds and had 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 official acceleration time, though it struggled with traction due to its FWD layout. The car’s dynamic performance was impressive, with a firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism. However, it was not an outright sports sedan, a role reserved for the IS 350 F Sport and IS 500 F Sport Performance. The ES 350 F Sport was a sporty sedan that offered genuine driving enjoyment without compromising its reputation as a comfortable cruiser.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered three engine options. The base 2.0 sedan had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, prioritizing fuel economy with an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined. The 2.5 S model, the most popular choice, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with fuel economy ratings between 27 and 30 mpg combined, depending on the trim and drivetrain.

The 2.5 Turbo model had a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, producing 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular gas, or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on premium fuel. It came with standard AWD and had an EPA rating of 26 mpg combined for the hatchback and 27 mpg for the sedan. During testing, the turbocharged Mazda3 averaged 23.1 mpg. The car’s performance was exhilarating, with smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and excellent balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving on challenging roads, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring interior layout that was both unusual and useful, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery provided excellent comfort, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and an available power rear window sunshade. Outward visibility was excellent, and storage was plentiful, though oddly configured. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of space, with a hands-free power trunk available as an option.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a low seating position, making entry and exit challenging. However, once inside, the car felt tailor-made, with a snug but comfortable fit. The front seats offered excellent thigh and side bolster support, and the interior featured user-friendly controls, except for the Mazda Connect infotainment system. The back seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and no rear air conditioning vents or USB ports. Storage space was adequate, with large door bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lexus ES had a problematic touchpad interface that required drivers to look at the screen while navigating the cursor, making it easy to overshoot targets. However, the climate and stereo controls were separate and user-friendly, and the dynamic voice command technology was excellent. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen display looked great but needed to be a touchscreen. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium sound system, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display and primary controls on the center console. Mazda avoided touchscreens, believing them to be distracting, but the lack of a physical tuning function and a subpar voice recognition system were drawbacks. The system required specific commands and often failed to recognize voices accurately. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, providing a workaround for some of these issues. Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions via a smartphone app, and an eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose system available.

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 model. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, with standard adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.