2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was immediately recognizable. The N Line version further enhanced this design with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy yet appealing appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, along with a standard panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup to include the new ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. The ES 350, with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive, remained available in Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. The ES 300h hybrid version offered significant fuel economy gains. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition, with its unique styling details and limited production run, stood out with features like 19-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and a black and white interior. The ES's design, characterized by its dramatic grille and artful detailing, was both striking and elegant, with the F Sport trim adding a sporty touch.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. Drivers could choose between Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, and the car featured an Active Sound Design (ASD) engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line also boasted significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. On the road, the Sonata N Line delivered a thrilling driving experience, with responsive steering, firm underpinnings, and impressive handling. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 27 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could select from 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, and the EPA rated its fuel economy at 25 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 22.9 mpg. The ES 350 F Sport offered a surprisingly engaging driving experience, with firm ride quality, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism. However, it was not an outright sports sedan, and its front-wheel-drive layout occasionally struggled with traction.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance of comfort and lateral support. The rear seats, while not significantly more spacious than the Elantra N Line, offered rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's interior storage was practical, though the center console design was somewhat inelegant. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle for closing the trunk was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 F Sport featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery provided excellent comfort, and the rear seats offered good foot and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The ES's interior storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with numerous nooks and crannies. The trunk measured 13.9 cubic feet, and the hands-free power trunk was a convenient feature.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were minor annoyances. The Sonata N Line also offered Hyundai Digital Key, which transformed a smartphone into a key, though it was only compatible with Android devices.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured an optional 12.3-inch widescreen display, replacing the standard 8-inch display. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services with varying trial periods. The ES also offered a dynamic navigation system, Destination Assist connected services, and dynamic voice command technology. The standard 10-speaker premium sound system could be upgraded to a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson high-end sound system. However, the touchpad interface was cumbersome, and a touchscreen would have been preferable.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata N Line had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0 (LSS 2.0), which bundled 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 was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.