2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a bold redesign that was both striking and polarizing. Its distinctive styling, from the broad grille to the tapered tail, made it unmistakably a Sonata. The N Line version enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as larger air intakes and gloss black accents, which improved engine cooling and added a stealthy performance hint. The interior featured sport front seats with premium materials, red stitching, and a panoramic sunroof, creating a sporty yet comfortable environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus ES maintained a more traditional luxury sedan appearance. It featured elegant proportions and a sleek roofline, with the signature Lexus spindle grille and assertive headlamp shapes. The interior was well-crafted, with an asymmetrical dashboard and sporty two-tone leather seating in the F Sport package. Despite its attractive design, the ES's styling was more conservative, aiming to appeal to a broader audience while retaining its luxury appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and multiple driving modes. The Sonata N Line excelled in handling, with improved steering, brakes, and suspension, making it a joy to drive on winding roads. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined, though real-world testing showed slightly higher consumption.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three powertrain options. The ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower, while the ES 350 featured a 3.5-litre V6 with 307 horsepower. The hybrid ES 300h combined a four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 215 horsepower. The ES 250 AWD was slower compared to its siblings, but the ES 350 provided a more engaging drive. The hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered comfortable heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance between support and comfort. Rear-seat passengers had limited legroom, but the panoramic sunroof added a sense of space. The trunk offered 453 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free release feature for convenience.

The 2022 Lexus ES provided 394 litres of trunk space, with a pass-through for longer items. The ES 250 and ES 350 had folding rear seats for additional cargo capacity. The interior featured heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ample storage options. The sedan's lower centre of gravity contributed to better handling compared to SUVs, making it a practical choice for those valuing both aesthetics and functionality.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included navigation, wireless charging, and a Bose sound system, but lacked a WiFi hotspot. The interface had some usability issues, such as the absence of a tuning knob and occasional touch-sensing errors.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch screen and a Mark Levinson sound system. The touchpad interface was an improvement over previous designs but remained challenging on rough roads. The ES also offered a head-up display and advanced parking assist features, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It had not been independently crash-tested, but the standard Sonata received high safety ratings.

The 2022 Lexus ES received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and 10 airbags contributed to its excellent safety profile.