Compare the2022 Lexus ESVS 2021 Volkswagen Arteon

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Arteon doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The ES’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Arteon doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the ES and the Arteon have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 75 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Arteon has not been fully tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Arteon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Arteon ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The ES’ corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Arteon’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the ES’ reliability 17 points higher than the Arteon.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the ES second among compact premium cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Arteon isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 24th.

The ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 34 more horsepower (302 vs. 268) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 258) than the Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Volkswagen Arteon:

On the EPA test cycle the ES gets better mileage than the Arteon:

Regenerative brakes improve the ES Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Arteon doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Arteon requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus ES higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Arteon (3). This means the ES produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Arteon every 15,000 miles.

The ES 300h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Arteon doesn’t offer a CVT.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Arteon (113 inches vs. 111.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Arteon.

For better maneuverability, the ES’ turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Arteon’s (38 feet vs. 39 feet). The ES w/18-19” wheels’ turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Arteon’s (38.8 feet vs. 39 feet).

The ES F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Arteon doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Arteon (99.9 vs. 96.5).

The ES has 1.2 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear headroom than the Arteon.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES offers cargo security. The Arteon’s hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 72% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

The ES offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Arteon doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES and the Volkswagen Arteon, based on reliability, safety and performance.