2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan segment with its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing. Its sharp creases and dramatic angles gave it a distinctive and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to help the Elantra stand out and break conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra came in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with a hybrid powertrain option for the SEL and Limited. Prices ranged from $19,650 to $25,450, excluding destination charges. The high-performance Elantra N, debuting early in 2021, was expected to cost less than $34,000.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trim levels offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly favored for its modern and upscale look, with light gray seats, dashboard, and door panel trim contrasting against the black cabin. The gray color also helped hide some of the cheaper plastic panels. The Elantra SEL with the Premium Package had a drab black interior with leatherette door panel inserts, and the glossy black plastic was more noticeable and harder to forgive.

The 2021 Lexus ES lineup expanded to include the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The ES 250 series cost the same as the equivalent ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive (FWD). The ES 300h, a gas-electric hybrid version, provided significant fuel economy gains and came in Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. Pricing for the Lexus ES ranged from $40,000 to $50,910, plus a $1,025 destination charge.

The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition featured extra-cost paint, triple-beam LED headlights, illuminated door sill plates, an adaptive variable suspension, Sport+ and Custom driving modes, a Navigation Package, wireless smartphone charging, a head-up display, a power rear window shade, a hands-free power trunk opener, and a protective film on the rear bumper. The F Sport trim added 19-inch wheels, unique front and rear styling details, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, F Sport instrumentation, and a black headliner. The Black Line Special Edition came in black, white, or Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 paint, with black wheels, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and a black and white interior. Lexus produced just 1,500 examples, each with a matching two-piece set of Zero Halliburton luggage.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain combinations, including the high-performance Elantra N. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra SEL Premium, priced at $25,015, returned 31.4 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 35 mpg estimate. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and achieved 42.2 mpg in combined driving, below the EPA's 50 mpg estimate due to mountainous terrain.

The Elantra N Line, priced at $26,245, featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dry DCT. It returned 23.1 mpg in mountain driving, below the EPA's 28 mpg estimate. The high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost around $34,000, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed wet DCT. It averaged 19.4 mpg in mixed driving and offered a dynamic driving experience with its electronically controlled suspension, large brakes, and performance tires.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 350 F Sport, with adaptive damping suspension, offered Sport+ and Custom driving modes. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, and the EPA rated it at 25 mpg in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 22.9 mpg. The ES 350 F Sport felt quicker than its claimed acceleration time, though it struggled with front tire grip, suggesting a need for a torque-vectoring AWD system.

The ES 350 F Sport demonstrated unexpected competence and genuine driving enjoyment, especially in Sport and Sport+ modes. It offered a firm ride, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism, though it was not an outright sports sedan. The ES 350 F Sport was a sporty sedan, not intended to fill the role of a sports sedan, which was reserved for the IS 350 F Sport and the upcoming IS 500 F Sport Performance.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior. The driver’s seat was height-adjustable, and the tilt/telescopic steering wheel made it easy to get comfortable. Heated front seats were standard, with the Limited Hybrid also offering ventilated front cushions. However, the height-adjustable front passenger seat was no longer available, and hard plastic upper door panels were a drawback. The Elantra provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Some versions included a hands-free trunk lid release, but the interior grab handle was no longer available.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring interior layout that was still useful, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather provided excellent thigh support and comfort. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom, with supportive cushions and a comfortable backrest angle. The ES included rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. Outward visibility was excellent, and storage was plentiful, though oddly configured. The trunk measured 13.9 cubic feet, with an optional hands-free power trunk for added convenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured traditional instrumentation with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SEL and N Line trims added satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, and wireless smartphone charging. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen. This setup included dynamic natural voice recognition and a Sounds of Nature function. The Limited Hybrid's voice recognition system performed inconsistently, but a Hyundai spokesperson demonstrated better results in a different car. A new Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key were also available.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a problematic touchpad interface, requiring attention to the screen while navigating. However, the climate and stereo controls were separate, with a combination volume and tuning knob within reach. The dynamic voice command technology was excellent, allowing users to bypass the touchpad. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen display looked terrific but needed to be a touchscreen. The ES included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services. The 12.3-inch display added dynamic navigation and Destination Assist connected services. A 10-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson high-end sound system available.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Every Elantra included SmartSense, Hyundai’s collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention warning system. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Upgrades included cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0 (LSS 2.0), bundling 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 for all trims except the base. The ADAS proved effective, though lane-centering technology occasionally struggled. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).