2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan category, thanks to its bold and distinctive design. It featured Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles, which gave it a unique and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to break conventional automotive design rules and add character. The Elantra's interior varied in quality depending on the trim level, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale look with its light gray seats and dashboard, contrasting against the black cabin. However, lower-grade interiors were less impressive, with noticeable cheaper plastic panels.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus ES offered a more traditional luxury sedan aesthetic with a long, lean, and artfully detailed design. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like 19-inch alloy wheels and unique styling details, enhancing its appeal. Inside, the ES featured sport-bolstered front seats with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, providing excellent comfort. The rear seats were equally accommodating, with good legroom and supportive cushions. The interior layout was daring yet functional, with excellent outward visibility and plentiful storage, although the trunk space was somewhat limited at 394 litres.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup provided adequate power for urban driving but felt underpowered on highways. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though real-world consumption was higher than expected due to mountainous terrain. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower, offered a sportier drive, while the high-performance Elantra N, with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine generating 276 horsepower, delivered exhilarating performance and precise handling.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a smooth and powerful driving experience, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. The ES 350's adaptive damping suspension and Sport+ mode enhanced its driving dynamics, providing a firm ride and flat cornering stance. However, the ES 350 was more of a sporty sedan than a true sports sedan, lacking the agility of dedicated performance models. Despite this, it offered a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, with the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems proving effective, though occasionally intrusive.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle were less supportive. Storage was practical, with a 402-litre trunk and 60/40-split folding rear seat. However, the lack of air conditioning vents and USB ports for rear passengers was a drawback.

The 2021 Lexus ES provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with sport-bolstered front seats offering excellent thigh support and 10-way power adjustment. Rear passengers enjoyed good legroom and supportive seating, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The trunk, at 394 litres, was smaller than expected, but the hands-free power trunk was a convenient feature. The interior layout was functional, with excellent visibility and ample storage, though the wireless smartphone charger was awkwardly placed under the centre armrest.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Ultimate trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, though it lacked wireless smartphone integration. The infotainment system included a dynamic voice recognition system and a Bose premium audio system, providing impressive sound quality.

The 2021 Lexus ES came with a standard 8-inch display, upgradeable to a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment display. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The dynamic voice command technology was excellent, allowing drivers to bypass the touchpad interface. The optional Mark Levinson sound system offered superior audio quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most models included Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of ADAS, featuring forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking.

The 2021 Lexus ES came standard with Lexus Safety System 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the base trim. The ES received top safety ratings, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA awarding it a five-star overall rating.