2021 Lexus IS vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement with its athletic proportions and great stance. Its design captured motion even while standing still, with an elegant distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline and the kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door added to its sporty and compact look. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive squint. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel in the center stack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices and a modern aesthetic, though the analog clock felt outdated.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a mainstay in the Lexus lineup, evolved over seven generations into an attractive sedan with elegant proportions and a sleek roofline. The prominent spindle grille and assertive headlamp shapes were a matter of taste. The ES came standard with 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch and 19-inch options available. Inside, the dashboard was oddly asymmetrical, giving the driver's side a cockpit feel but looking jumbled. The F Sport model featured bold two-tone leather seating, which felt sportier than the rest of the car. The small analog chronometer in the touchscreen housing dated the dash and added to the clutter.

The 2021 Lexus IS offered a range of powertrains. The IS 300 RWD had a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 models, both AWD and RWD, had the same V6 engine, tuned to produce 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models. The ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, achieving 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, with fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 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, and 44 mpg combined. The ES 250 AWD had a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds, while the ES 350 did it in 6.6 seconds, and the ES 300h in 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD felt slow, but the ES 350's V6 and the ES 300h's fuel economy were more appealing.

The 2021 Lexus IS had a driver-centered focus with a great driver position and comfortable, supportive seats. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat was standard in IS 350 models, with heating and ventilation. The IS used perforated NuLuxe fabric, which was eco-friendly and easier to clean than leather. Storage space was ample, with an open cubby, twin cupholders, big door pockets, and a decent glovebox. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiable with front-seat occupants. Trunk space was adequate at 10.8 cubic feet, with a temporary spare stored beneath the trunk’s load floor.

The 2022 Lexus ES had a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, with a pass-through behind the center armrest and a flat-folding second row in the ES 250 and ES 350. The ES had a lower center of gravity and ground clearance than the Lexus RX, contributing to better handling and superior fuel economy. Inside, the ES had ample storage and convenience features, with big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a tablet-friendly center console storage bin. The dash layout functioned nicely, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system, catering to mature drivers.

The 2021 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The touchpad remained but was no longer the default option. Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote were included with trial periods. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, providing superb audio quality.

The 2022 Lexus ES had an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility. A 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, CD player, HD radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. Upper trim levels got a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. A 10-inch head-up display was available, along with a Panoramic View Monitor and Intuitive Parking Assist with auto braking. Lexus Enform services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, and WiFi with trial memberships.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but was expected to perform well based on the previous generation. The IS came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, and LED lighting.

The 2022 Lexus ES received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The ES came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 10 airbags, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.