Since its inception in the 80s, the Toyota subsidiary Lexus has become one of the primary luxury car brands in the country. Their sedans and midsize SUVs are exceedingly common and a great way to have an everyday car with a little extra quality and class.
With their sedans specifically, both the Lexus IS and ES are popular choices. If you’re deciding on a Lexus sedan, we can help make your decision a little easier. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the IS and ES based on reports from Car and Driver.
What’s good about the 2022 Lexus IS?
The IS is more powerful than the ES, but neither have an overwhelmingly athletic feel. The handling is a bit easy-going and soft, especially in the standard IS 300 model.
However, the horsepower offered among the three engine options mostly outrank the ES. The IS 300 is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 241 horsepower. The IS 350 has a V-6 engine with 311 horsepower, and the IS 500 has 472 horsepower and a 5.0-liter V-8.
The F Sport package is offered for many Lexus models. The upgrade comes with improvements like a limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels, and optional adaptive suspension. Car and Driver recommends consumers get the IS 350 F Sport with rear-wheel drive.
Lexus announced that the IS 300 starts at $38,625, the IS 350 at $43,050, and the IS 500 at $56,500.
The interior finishes are classy, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display and the option to upgrade to a 10.3-inch screen. The IS also has a premium, 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system, power front seats, and options for a sunroof and leather seats. Driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warnings and assists are standard.
Where does the 2022 Lexus ES shine?
Lexus put an emphasis on style in the ES sedan. For those who like a smooth, sophisticated ride, the ES is an excellent choice. The handling and acceleration may not be as athletic, but it cruises nicely all the same.
For a lower cost than you might expect, the ES delivers on chic finishes. The seats are sturdy and comfortable, and the standard model comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This can be upgraded to a 12.3-inch display, which is two inches wider than the largest IS option.
The backseat offers plenty of legroom for tall guests, though the seats don’t fold down to extend the trunk storage. The cabin remains calm and quiet on the highway, making it easy to hear whatever is coming out of the 10-speaker sound system.
The base model starts at $40,800, but Car and Driver recommends going up a trim level to the ES 350 with the Ultra Luxury package for the best value. The ES 300h hybrid trim comes in at $41,900.
The ES also comes with three engine options. The standard ES 250 has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and all-wheel drive. The ES 350 offers front-wheel drive with a 3.5-liter V-6 and eight-speed automatic transmission that produces 302 horsepower.
The highest trim level is the 215-horsepower ES 300h hybrid model. This model is a front-wheel drive with a continuously variable automatic transmission for smoother gear transitions. For consumers wanting a sportier feel, there’s a high-performance F Sport trim package available for the two higher trim levels.
There are new safety features offered for the ES for the 2022 model year. The new Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 includes automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and new tools like pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Which car is the better choice?
If power level isn’t necessarily a huge factor for you, the ES could be the better choice. With a lower price for very similar finishes and smooth suspension, the ES sedan offers great value.
However, if you want the best handling, the IS with the F Sport upgrade would be your best bet between the two Lexuses.
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is 250 vs es350
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Guys, comparing the is and new es lexus line- which model is considered more upscale?
I checked the canadian lexus site and it seems like you get more for the buck with the es350. Everything is standard that is not in the is250 rwd automatic until you add packages or options. and the es beautiful and fast too.
once you add options and packages to a lexus is250rwd automatic its almost the price of the standard lexus es350.
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ES350: great luxury, decent
performance
IS350: great performance, decent luxury
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The ES looks exactly like the camry... lol..
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and the camry looks alright.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tonee8519
once you add options and packages to a lexus is250rwd automatic its almost the price of the standard lexus es350.
It will be true if you just want a bone stock ES as oppose to a fully loaded IS250. A dencently equipped ES is at least 40K if not more.
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Is not the ES a higher class than the IS?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doctorttt
The ES looks exactly like the camry... lol..
hmm, never saw that until you just told me. lol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ra1n
Is not the ES a higher class than the IS?
No, they are actually both considered entry level cars, but they are purpose built for different purposes. ES = Luxury, IS = Sport Luxury.
Personally, if I was even considering the ES, I'd just give up and go with a top end Camry. Have you guys seen the features available on the Camry? With Nav and all, you might as well...
Between the ES and IS, I'd probably choose the IS for the appearance, but that's just me. I know you'll get far more for your dollar if you get the ES, and even more so if you buy the Camry, but I got the IS because it was the car I wanted. The IS versus similar cars in it's class, well, for the money, you get the best feature set on the IS than any other competitor in my opinion.
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The IS and ES are functionally different.
You really can't ask which is more luxurious/upscale. If you load the cars fully, you'll find that both offer a lot of luxury. As for "Upscale", I would give the ES a slight edge in status symbol as the IS still has remants of percieved lower quality from its Toyota Altezza history within the Lexus brand. Perceptions and assumptions can be misleading...
If we use the word "Upscale," I would find the ES to provide more luxury comfort, a more plush ride, and more passenger-oriented amenities. This is what people find "upscale." However, the IS provides more performance, more driver engagement, and more driver-oriented amenities. The IS is a well rounded performance+luxury car, and is also categorically "upscale." However, we can't say performance is luxurious as performance can be had by riced Civics or WRXs.
Both the ES and IS are up-the-scale/upscale compared to other cars out there. The ES dominates its category when you compare it to the TS or E-Class or the such. The IS dominates its category when you compare it to the G35 or (let's not start the battle again...) 3-Series or the such. But between the two, you really can't say one is less/more luxurious/upscale.
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Equivalently equppped cars, IS 350 costs more than the ES 350. I'm sure that's due to the engine.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TimboIS
Equivalently equppped cars, IS 350 costs more than the ES 350. I'm sure that's due to the engine.
But the comparison was between the IS250 not the IS350
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Originally Posted by Style2k6
But the comparison was between the IS250 not the IS350
Then no question, ES hands down (the engine is just better than the 2.5L).
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I always thought the ES was in a slightly better class... kinda like IS is a 3 or C and the ES is the E or 5 or honestly... between the C / 3 and E / 5. and the LS was the S or 7.
Alwys seemed to me the ES just wasnt up the scale of the E or 5 but the IS and LS were equilivalent to Mercs and BMWs comparitave model.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EBMCS03
I always thought the ES was in a slightly better class... kinda like IS is a 3 or C and the ES is the E or 5 or honestly... between the C / 3 and E / 5. and the LS was the S or 7.
Alwys seemed to me the ES just wasnt up the scale of the E or 5 but the IS and LS were equilivalent to Mercs and BMWs comparitave model.
IS / ES = C class , 3 Series
GS = E class, 5 Series
LS = S class, 7 Series
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TimboIS
IS / ES = C class , 3 Series
GS = E class, 5 Series
LS = S class, 7 Series
Oh ya thats right.. theres the GS... that makes sense now.