2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Subaru Impreza showcased a more conservative design compared to its previous iterations. It featured sleek headlights and taillights, a nicely-tapered front end, and subtle scalloping on the body sides. The Impreza Sport models stood out with 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models had 16-inch steel wheels. The interior, though not the most exciting, was functional with a split dashboard housing the infotainment touchscreen. The Impreza Sport added contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since 1990, evolved over seven generations. The latest model, built on the Global Architecture-K platform, supported both FWD and AWD configurations. The ES had elegant proportions with a sleek roofline and a prominent spindle grille. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or 19-inch options. Inside, the ES featured a layered dashboard with precise assembly, bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model, and a small analog chronometer in the touchscreen housing, adding a touch of heritage.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models came with a CVT, while a five-speed manual was available on select trims. The Impreza Sport featured model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the AWD system. While the Impreza provided a solid and refined ride, it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport trim offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the engine's lack of power and noncommunicative steering limited its appeal as a driver's car.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, achieving 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. The ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, offering a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined. The ES 250 AWD, though smooth and predictable, felt underpowered compared to its siblings.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom but below-average headroom. The sedan had 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. The Impreza Premium and higher trims included an All-Weather Package with heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, and the Limited trim featured a six-way power driver’s seat and automatic climate control.

The 2022 Lexus ES had 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, with a pass-through for long items and fold-flat second-row seats in the ES 250 and ES 350. The ES sedan offered better handling and fuel economy compared to its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX. Inside, the ES featured ample storage, including big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a large glove compartment. The dashboard layout, though not aesthetically pleasing, was functional with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on base and Premium trims, while higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth were standard, with an optional TomTom-based navigation and Harman Kardon audio system on the Limited trim. A secondary display showed information like estimated range, but seemed redundant given the small LCD in the gauge cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly with large icons and minimal menu digging.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa+Lexus compatibility. A 10-speaker Pioneer sound system was standard, with an upgrade to a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system on upper trims. The ES also had a 10-inch head-up display, a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist, and Lexus Enform connected services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included Subaru’s EyeSight suite with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking.

The 2022 Lexus ES earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 with a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags.