2021 Lexus ES vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat presented a familiar exterior design, reminiscent of its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the redesigned VW Jetta. It borrowed styling cues from the Jetta, applying them to the older Passat model. Inside, the Passat maintained a traditional dashboard layout, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, lacking the advanced technology found in the Jetta. The interior was characterized by the use of cheap, glossy plastic, which, while not luxurious, was easy to clean. The Passat was designed with simplicity in mind, offering ease of use, affordability, and practicality. It was available in four trims, with the base Passat S starting at $22,995 and the top-tier SEL priced at $31,095. The R-Line trim, with its sporty appearance, was priced at $28,645, and the test model, with additional features, totaled $30,206.

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive. The ES 300h hybrid variant offered improved fuel economy at a premium. The ES lineup included Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $40,000 to $50,910, plus a $1,025 destination charge. The test car, an ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, was equipped with numerous features, including a Navigation Package, adaptive suspension, and a head-up display, totaling $54,070. The F Sport trim added unique styling elements, while the Black Line Special Edition featured exclusive black accents and a limited production run of 1,500 units. The ES's design, highlighted by its dramatic grille, was both striking and elegant, with a well-crafted interior that emphasized quality and style.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a 6-speed automatic transmission to power the front wheels, offering a straightforward driving experience without multiple driving modes. The Passat's engine provided adequate acceleration, aided by its torque, although it occasionally felt sluggish due to the transmission's eagerness to upshift. The car achieved an average fuel economy of 26 mpg, close to the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The Passat's steering was light yet precise, and its brakes were effective, though the suspension tuning was less than ideal, resulting in a stiff ride over bumps and a floaty feel over undulations.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with additional Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive suspension. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with an EPA-rated fuel economy of 25 mpg, though the test car averaged 22.9 mpg. The ES 350 F Sport provided a dynamic driving experience, with noticeable differences between driving modes, and offered a balance of comfort and sportiness. While not a true sports sedan, the ES 350 F Sport impressed with its firm ride, flat cornering, and overall athleticism.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide seats, large door openings, and ample room for five passengers. It featured numerous storage options and excellent outward visibility. The Passat S came with cloth upholstery, while the SE and R-Line trims offered V-Tex leatherette seats, and the SEL trim included genuine leather. The trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, accommodating full-size suitcases and compact strollers with ease. The Passat's practicality made it a compelling alternative to more expensive SUVs, except for those needing all-wheel drive or additional seating.

The 2021 Lexus ES boasted a daring interior design that remained functional, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery provided comfort and support, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom and rear air conditioning vents. The ES's outward visibility was excellent, and storage options, though unconventional, were plentiful. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of space, with a hands-free power trunk available for added convenience. Despite its smaller trunk size compared to the Passat, the ES provided a luxurious and comfortable interior experience.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked the latest infotainment and digital cockpit technologies, featuring a basic 6.3-inch touchscreen display. However, it included essential features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim offered navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The Passat's infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs. The test car also had remote engine start, and the SEL trim included a parking steering-assist system.

The 2021 Lexus ES faced challenges with its touchpad interface, requiring drivers to focus on 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 display. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and HD Radio, with free trial periods for connected services. The ES also featured a 10-speaker premium sound system, with an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson system for enhanced audio quality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. It also featured an automatic post-collision braking system. The Passat SE added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat received a top rating of Good from the IIHS.

The 2021 Lexus ES included the Lexus Safety System 2.0, which offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims except the base. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.