2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break free from its generic past with a design overhaul that emphasized more aggressive and detailed styling. Designers included flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights, broadening the visual aesthetics of the car. High-performance trims like the SE, XSE, and TRD incorporated an array of faux vents, resulting in a somewhat cluttered look. Trim levels like LE and XLE featured a cleaner, but still sizable grille. The underpinning TNGA-K platform shared similarities with the Avalon sedan and the RAV4 SUV. In 2021, Toyota made slight modifications to the front fascia but those changes were subtle. The TRD model continued to flaunt a larger rear spoiler while the Nightshade Edition, based on the SE trim, embraced an all-black exterior trim and wheels, adding a dark, striking appearance. Standard wheel sizes started at 17 inches, advancing to 18 and 19 inches for the upper trims.

Inside, the Camry strived for an eye-catching but somewhat chaotic design approach. The interior featured a mélange of trims—like contrast stitching and piano black plastic—that attempted to elevate its feel but ultimately came across as disjointed. The presence of various plastic elements, designed to simulate carbon fiber in some models, and standard leather upholstery in XLE and XSE models, offered a moderately upscale ambiance that fell short in material quality.

Conversely, the 2021 Lexus ES maintained its elegant persona with a roster of new models, including the ES 250 series with a 2.5-liter engine and standard all-wheel drive. The lineup also included the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and the hybrid ES 300h. The ES's aesthetic enhancements reflected Lexus' commitment to luxury and style. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition was particularly eye-catching with exclusive black exterior and interior details, Flaunting black wheels and side mirrors, alongside a limited-production run of 1,500 units. Like other Lexus vehicles, this model featured a prominent grille and large wheels, underlining its sporty stance.

Inside the ES, the blend of premium materials and meticulous design resulted in a high-end feel. The F Sport trim included sport-bolstered seats and aluminum interior trim, enhancing its athletic character. The contrasting color schemes, especially in the Black Line Special Edition, were striking and harmonious, reflecting the attention to detail that Lexus is known for.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a variety of powertrain options, starting with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, known as the Dynamic Force engine. In its front-wheel-drive configuration, it produced 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, while an all-wheel-drive version offered 202 hp and 182 lb-ft. The XSE model pushed these figures slightly higher, delivering up to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. Toyota also provided a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque for those seeking more power, all engines matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor, achieving a combined output of 208 hp.

The Camry SE Nightshade Edition, with its AWD and base four-cylinder engine, offered an engaging drive. Though not exceptionally thrilling, the Dynamic Force engine was responsive and enjoyable, amplifying the driving experience with a decent amount of power and a pleasant exhaust note. The chassis balance excelled in merging ride quality with precise handling.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Notably, advanced trims included adaptive damping suspensions with additional Sport+ and Custom drive modes to better tailor the driving experience. The ES 350 F Sport, our test vehicle, managed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds—a respectable figure for its segment. Despite being a front-wheel-drive car, the ES 350 F Sport exuded eagerness, suggesting the potential benefits of an all-wheel-drive system similar to Acura's SH-AWD.

The ES demonstrated an impressive balance of ride comfort and handling prowess. In the sportier driving modes, it adopted a more dynamic and agile demeanor, making it surprisingly entertaining to drive. Despite a slightly louder cabin and a yearning for quicker steering response, the car upheld its reputation without compromising on Lexus's luxury ethos.

The 2021 Toyota Camry presented a fairly spacious interior, particularly with substantial rear headroom and legroom, making it notably comfortable for back-seat passengers. However, the front seats fell below average in space but benefited from ample adjustability and commendable support, ensuring a decent driving position. Visibility from the driver's seat was notable. The trunk space measured 15.1 cubic feet—adequate but less than rivals like the Honda Accord, which offered 16.7 cubic feet. Storage solutions inside the cabin were somewhat limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders that were not as versatile or spacious as expected.

The Lexus ES 350, by comparison, was similarly designed to offer both form and function but added a layer of luxury and quality. The ES 350 F Sport featured sport-bolstered seats with extensive power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, made from NuLuxe synthetic leather that delivered a premium feel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and amenities like rear air conditioning vents and power window sunshades. Outward visibility was excellent due to the strategic placement of side mirrors and thin windshield pillars. Storage in the ES was a mix of well-considered and unconventional solutions. While the trunk space was slightly less at 13.9 cubic feet compared to the Camry, its layout was practical for day-to-day use. However, the wireless smartphone charger’s location under the center armrest was unconventional and potentially inconvenient.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's infotainment system was functional if not innovative. Standard equipment included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. Higher trims provided a 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi connectivity, navigation, and a high-end JBL audio system. Practical features like a 12-volt outlet and USB ports were conveniently located, though higher trims did not add extra plug-in locations. While the user interface was straightforward, it lacked visual appeal, offering functional but unremarkable graphics.

Lexus took a different approach in their 2021 ES 350, integrating its infotainment system with advanced features yet retaining some inherent usability issues. The primary drawback was the touchpad interface, which required considerable attention to navigate, often detracting from the driving experience. However, the system worked reliably with the 12.3-inch widescreen display in higher trims, offering impressive visuals and a host of functionalities like dynamic voice command, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. The ES's sound system ranged from a standard 10-speaker setup to an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, which enhanced the auditory experience significantly.

In terms of safety, the 2021 Toyota Camry and Lexus ES were both awarded high marks. The Toyota Camry garnered a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features under the TSS 2.5+ package included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Toyota introduced a new Rear Seat Reminder to prevent children or pets from being left in the back seat. Additionally, features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available as standalone options or included in higher trims.

Similarly, the 2021 Lexus ES excelled with its LSS 2.0 package, which included advanced driving assistance systems such as forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. For 2021, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert became standard on most trims. The IIHS named the ES a Top Safety Pick+, and it also received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, affirming its status as a safe and reliable vehicle.