2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Lexus ES

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a compact car experience with a touch of luxury typically associated with higher-end brands like BMW. It was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elongated, elegant body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a slightly quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The interior was simple yet sophisticated, with soft-touch materials and high-quality switchgear. The 2020 model introduced new styling elements, including matte-black wheels and updated bumpers, enhancing its already appealing design.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES offered a more luxurious and dramatic design. The lineup expanded to include the ES 250 with a 2.5-litre engine and AWD, alongside the ES 350 with a 3.5-litre V6 and FWD. The ES 300h hybrid version provided improved fuel efficiency. The Black Line Edition, with its unique styling elements, added exclusivity to the lineup. The ES's design featured a dramatic grille and artful detailing, with F Sport trim adding sporty touches like 19-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Inside, the ES boasted a striking black and white interior with quality materials, offering a luxurious experience. Despite sharing a platform with the Toyota Avalon, the ES maintained its distinct Lexus identity.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all FWD. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or an optional CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, standard on the hatchback and available on higher trims, delivered 174 to 180 hp. The Civic Si featured a boosted 1.5-litre engine with 205 hp, while the Type R boasted 306 hp. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the Si and Type R offering thrilling driving experiences. The Si's adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a joy to drive, despite a stiffer ride. Fuel efficiency varied, with the Si rated at 8.9 L/100 km city and 6.4 highway.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered 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 a fuel efficiency rating of 9.4 L/100 km combined. The ES 350 Black Line Edition felt quicker than its official acceleration time, though it lacked a torque-vectoring AWD system. The ES 350's driving dynamics were unexpectedly competent, with a firm ride and flat cornering stance, though it was more of a sporty sedan than a true sports sedan.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a practical and spacious interior, with improvements like a volume knob and better cupholders. The hatchback featured more sound insulation, and the EX hatchback had an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The Civic's interior was user-friendly, with a conventional shifter and configurable storage options. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space, though rear air vents were absent. The sedan's trunk offered 416 litres of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 728 litres behind the rear seats and 1,302 litres with them folded.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring interior layout, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather provided comfort, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed good legroom and rear air vents. The ES's storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with a wireless smartphone charger under the centre armrest. The trunk measured 394 litres, with a hands-free power trunk available. Despite its daring design, the ES maintained practicality and comfort.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, with a slow interface and complex controls. However, it included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, and keyless entry. LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety. Automatic climate control and Honda Sensing were standard, with features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The 2021 Lexus ES faced challenges with its touchpad interface, requiring attention to navigate. However, the climate and stereo controls were separate, with a convenient volume and tuning knob. The ES's voice command technology was excellent, and the optional 12.3-inch widescreen display looked impressive. The ES included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a 10-speaker sound system standard. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson system was available, offering a high-end audio experience.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, featuring forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA rated it five stars overall, with four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating for the coupe.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on most trims. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The ADAS systems were effective, though some adjustments were needed for optimal performance.