2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Honda Civic continued the tradition of being a segment-defining model, following in the footsteps of its predecessors from 1973, 1984, 1992, 2006, and 2016. This model was available in various formats, including the four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and the performance-tuned Civic Type R. However, the two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si was on hiatus. The Civic sedan came in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $23,400 to $29,200 CAD, excluding a $1,700 destination charge. The Touring trim, tested in Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, was priced at $31,331 CAD. The Civic's design was polarizing, with styling that people either loved or hated, but it remained a familiar sight on the roads. The interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, maintaining its role as a trend-setter.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since 1990, faced the challenge of appealing to both its aging demographic and younger buyers. The latest generation, launched in 2018, was built on the Global Architecture-K platform, shared with models like the Lexus RX and Toyota Camry. The ES had elegant proportions and a sleek roofline, with the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille and assertive headlamp shapes. The interior featured an asymmetrical dashboard, precisely assembled with crisp gaps, and F Sport packaging added bold two-tone leather seating. The ES aimed to balance tradition and modernity, with features like a small analog chronometer in the touchscreen housing, which added to the dash's cluttered appearance.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The latter, standard with the Touring trim, provided ample power and was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. While the CVT contributed to excellent fuel economy, averaging 6.8 L/100 km on a 225-kilometre loop, it was criticized for its droning noise and lack of responsiveness. The Civic's ride and handling were praised, thanks to its sophisticated suspension and steering, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models, each with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. The ES 350, with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, was FWD only and reached 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD was noted for its smooth handling but felt slow for a luxury sedan, while the ES 350 offered more engaging performance, and the ES 300h excelled in fuel economy.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the front seats offered comfort, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver. However, the lack of rear air conditioning vents made the back seat less comfortable on hot days. The Civic's interior was spacious, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with excellent thigh support in the rear seats. The centre console provided ample storage, and the trunk offered 428 litres of space, reduced to 416 litres in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered 394 litres of cargo space, with a pass-through for long items and fold-flat rear seats in the ES 250 and ES 350. The sedan's lower centre of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling compared to SUVs. Inside, the ES featured heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and available semi-aniline leather upholstery. Storage options included big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious centre console. The dashboard layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was showing its age, with a standard 5-inch LCD screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Touring trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation. The voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and users were encouraged to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for a better experience.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, and options for a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio. The infotainment system used a touchpad interface, which was challenging to use on rough roads. Upper trims offered a 10-inch head-up display and a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist. Lexus Enform connected services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote Connect, with various trial memberships.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. LaneWatch, available from the EX trim, used a camera to monitor the right lane but lacked a traditional blind-spot warning system. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lexus ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, and adaptive cruise control. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags. The ES also offered up to 10 years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.