Toyota Avalon vs Lexus ES

The 2021 Toyota Avalon presented a mixed bag in terms of aesthetics. While its overall design was appealing, the front-bumper styling, particularly the blacked-out mesh grille on certain trims, drew comparisons to orthodontic braces, which might not have been to everyone's taste. Despite this, the Avalon's long and low profile was generally well-received, offering a sleek look from any angle. Inside, the Avalon boasted an architecturally-themed interior with artfully stitched leather seats and real wood trim in the Limited model, creating an ambiance that was more special than a Camry but not quite as luxurious as a Lexus ES. However, some interior plastics felt inexpensive for a car in its price range.

The 2022 Lexus ES, on the other hand, maintained its reputation as a staple in the Lexus lineup, evolving over seven generations. Its design was elegant, with sleek proportions and a fastback roofline, though the prominent spindle grille and assertive headlamp shapes were subjective in appeal. The interior was precisely assembled, featuring a layered dashboard and bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model. However, the asymmetrical dash design and the inclusion of a small analog chronometer seemed to date the interior. Overall, the ES offered a balance of style and practicality, appealing to both its loyal older demographic and potential younger buyers.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon offered three powertrains, with the new AWD system paired with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 205 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. While this setup provided decent performance, it wasn't particularly thrilling. The standard 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine offered more excitement, and the Avalon Hybrid delivered up to 44 mpg in combined driving. The Avalon AWD felt lively enough, with an eight-speed automatic transmission ensuring quick launches and stable handling, thanks to the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. However, the AWD option was limited to non-hybrid XLE and Limited trims.

The 2022 Lexus ES came in three models, each with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, achieving 28 mpg combined. The ES 350 boasted a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, offering a more engaging driving experience with a 6.6-second 0-60 mph time. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor, delivering 215 hp and impressive fuel economy at 44 mpg combined. While the ES 250 AWD provided smooth handling, it felt underpowered for a luxury sedan, making the V6 or hybrid options more appealing for performance-oriented drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon, a large sedan, offered a spacious interior comparable to a Honda Accord. The Avalon Limited featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated cushions, and a heated steering wheel. However, the seats could benefit from improved side bolstering and a power-extending thigh bolster. Rear-seat space was generous, with heated cushions and rear air conditioning vents. The Avalon provided ample storage, including a roomy 16.1 cubic feet trunk, though it lacked a grab handle for easy closure.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, with a pass-through for long items and fold-flat rear seats in the ES 250 and ES 350 models. The sedan's lower center of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling compared to its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX. Inside, the ES featured ample storage, including big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a spacious center console. The dashboard layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system, catering to mature drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon came equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Toyota connected services included WiFi Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Service Connect, and Destination Assist. The upgrade infotainment system added dynamic navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The user interface was intuitive, though the JBL sound system required fine-tuning for optimal audio quality. A 10-inch color head-up display was available, though it was faint when viewed with polarized sunglasses.

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 available on upper trims. The ES used a touchpad interface for infotainment, which was challenging to use on rough roads. A 10-inch head-up display was standard on upper trims, providing clear and bright information. The ES also offered a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist and Lexus Enform connected services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote.

The 2021 Toyota Avalon came standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P), offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The optional Advanced Safety Package added a surround-view camera system, parking assist sonar, and rear automatic braking. The Avalon earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, though it was ineligible for a "Top Safety Pick" award due to poor headlight performance on lower trims.

The 2022 Lexus ES received the highest safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, Enhanced Lane-Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Standard features also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency services for three years.