2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to impress with its dramatic and sophisticated bodywork. The sedan version, while more conservative than the hatchback, still offered plenty of visual appeal. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, featured all-wheel drive and a range of trims, with the Premium Plus trim adding luxurious touches like Nappa leather. Despite some use of hard plastics, the interior design was driver-focused, with high-quality materials and a clear, legible gauge set.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since 1990, aimed to balance attracting younger buyers while retaining its loyal, older customer base. The latest generation, built on the GA-K platform, offered a sleek design with elegant proportions and a distinctive spindle grille. The interior, though asymmetrical, was precisely assembled and featured bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model. The ES provided ample storage and convenience features, making it a practical choice for luxury sedan buyers.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and i-Activ AWD, the Turbo model offered a transformative driving experience. The car's dynamic tuning, including stiffer front suspension springs and dampers, provided a sporty yet smooth ride. Despite its performance capabilities, the Mazda3 Turbo averaged 20.4 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 27 mpg.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models: the ES 250 AWD with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 307 hp and 267 lb-ft, and the ES 300h hybrid with a combined 215 hp. The ES 250 AWD, though smooth and predictable, felt underpowered for a luxury sedan, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds. The ES 350 offered better performance, while the ES 300h excelled in fuel economy, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior featured Nappa leather, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, but lacked some premium details like ventilated seats and rear-seat amenities. Storage was adequate, with a 13.2 cubic foot trunk in the sedan and up to 47.1 cubic feet in the hatchback. However, the placement of the wireless smartphone charger in the center console bin reduced storage capacity.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, with a pass-through for long items and fold-flat rear seats in the ES 250 and ES 350 models. The sedan's lower center of gravity and ground clearance compared to SUVs like the Lexus RX contributed to better handling and fuel economy. Inside, the ES provided ample storage and convenience features, including big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a large glove compartment. The dashboard layout, though not aesthetically pleasing, was functional and user-friendly.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice-recognition technology were significant drawbacks. The 12-speaker Bose premium sound system offered good audio quality, but the infotainment system's usability issues were frustrating.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility. Upper trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES also included a 10-inch head-up display and a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist. Lexus Enform connected services provided various trial memberships, enhancing the car's technology offerings.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3's i-ActiveSense ADAS included adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Premium Plus trim added a surround-view camera, parking sensors, and low-speed reverse automatic braking. The Mazda3 earned top five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2022 Lexus ES received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, and adaptive cruise control. Standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags further enhanced safety. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency services for three years.