2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer body and wheelbase, and a wider stance by about 2.5 centimetres. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional, with a premium feel thanks to a mix of soft-touch surfaces and comfortable seating. The Jetta offered three trim levels: Comfortline, Highline, and Execline, each with varying degrees of luxury and technology, but even the base Comfortline came well-equipped with features like heated front seats and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. The ES 350, with its 3.5-litre V6 engine, remained a staple, offering front-wheel drive. The ES 300h hybrid variant provided improved fuel efficiency. The ES's design was marked by a dramatic grille and artful detailing, especially in the F Sport and Black Line Edition trims, which added unique styling elements and sportier features. Inside, the ES boasted a luxurious cabin with sport-bolstered front seats, ample rear-seat space, and a striking black and white interior in the Black Line Edition. Despite its daring layout, the ES maintained practicality, though its trunk space was slightly limited at 394 litres.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission, which replaced the previous six-speed version. This transmission allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across a range of speeds, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth yet sporty driving experience. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the automatic at 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 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 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The ES 350 Black Line Edition felt quicker than its claimed acceleration time, though it could benefit from a torque-vectoring AWD system. The ES's driving dynamics were unexpectedly competent, with firm ride quality and flat cornering, though it remained a sporty sedan rather than a full-fledged sports sedan.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, even on long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk space was 399 litres, average for its class. The interior layout was practical, with a touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easy access, and a larger centre tray due to the repositioned shifter. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing functionality.

The 2021 Lexus ES provided a daring yet useful interior layout, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats were spacious, with good legroom and supportive cushions. The ES's trunk measured 394 litres, slightly more than a Toyota Corolla, and featured an optional hands-free power trunk. Storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with numerous nooks and crannies.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that could project navigation information.

The 2021 Lexus ES faced challenges with its touchpad interface, requiring drivers to look at the screen to navigate functions. However, the ES offered separate climate and stereo controls, dynamic voice command technology, and an optional 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment display. All trims included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 10-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline grade included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline added features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a Good rating from the IIHS but lacked a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the base trim. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.