2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 Chrysler 300

In the early 2010s, the Lexus ES was often criticized for its "boring" design. However, by 2020, Lexus had significantly revamped the ES to present a more aggressive look. The large spindle grille, which first appeared in 2016, had grown even larger by 2020, fitting well with the car's larger proportions. The rear of the car was more subdued, featuring thin taillamps and a pronounced kink at the back of the side windows, adding to the sedan's sleek appearance. Inside, the ES boasted a luxurious cabin with modern technology seamlessly integrated into an organic design, featuring soft-touch materials and a large infotainment screen.

The 2021 Chrysler 300, on the other hand, retained much of its classic design since its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a timeless, straightforward profile. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 model featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims. The 300S trim offered adaptive HID lamps. The wheels ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. The 300's interior quality was impressive, with Nappa leather upholstery standard on higher trims and heated front seats available on the top two trim levels.

The 2020 Lexus ES came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 131 mph. The ES provided confident acceleration and a comfortable, refined ride, thanks to its Dynamic Control Shocks. The F Sport trim offered an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with adjustable dampers and additional drive modes, including Sport+ for a more engaging driving experience. While not a high-performance vehicle, the ES's upgraded suspension and paddle shifters made for a lively driving experience.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L trims, and 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet in the 300S. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. RWD was standard, with AWD available for an additional cost. The 300 provided a quiet, comfortable ride, with the V8 offering a fun driving experience despite not being as powerful as higher-displacement engines in its Dodge Charger sibling.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured a spacious cabin with ample head- and legroom in both rows. The front seats could slide back significantly without compromising rear-seat legroom. Despite its sleek exterior, the ES offered expanded rear-seat headroom, accommodating taller passengers. The front doors had deep pockets, and the center console provided multiple retractable panels for storage. The ES had 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which was mid-pack for the midsize luxury segment. However, the rear seats did not fold down, limiting cargo flexibility.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back, surpassing the Lexus ES350. The 300 had 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, beating the Genesis G70 and the Lexus ES350. Trunk volume was also strong, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough to accommodate four large suitcases.

The 2020 Lexus ES featured the Lexus Remote Touch system, a touch-sensitive pad controlling the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch display. While not a touchscreen, the Remote Touch pad was intuitive once presets were set. The system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the CarPlay screen taking up the entire display. The ES also offered a 10-speaker premium audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its simple, informative instrument panel and center stack. The Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard across the lineup, offering intuitive functionality, prominent knobs, and excellent steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2020 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beams, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist. The ES also featured a full array of airbags, traction control, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall crash test rating. The 300 offered active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available on higher trims and packages, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, and rain-sensing wipers.