2023 Lexus ES

Now in its seventh generation, the Lexus ES delivers a luxury ride as comfortable as a favorite blanket. The ES doesn’t bring whiz-bang innovation or extraordinary features, but that’s not a bad thing. The ES’ stock-in-trade is a predictably pleasant ride from the base ES 250 to the more powerful ES 350 to the 300h hybrid. The current model debuted in 2019 and a mild cosmetic refresh in 2022 brought updated fascia styling and some interior tweaks. 

New for this year, Lexus added an F Sport handling package alongside the F Sport design package; the first is performance-focused with a sport-tuned suspension, and the second is sporty-looking but without the teeth of the former. As a luxury vehicle with high-class amenities, the ES offers a surprisingly robust package for the money. Starting at $42,490 for either the ES 250 AWD or ES 350 FWD, the ES 300h costs slightly more at $43,690. Trims include the Luxury and Ultra Luxury grades and the F Sport Design and F Sport Handling options. The new ES F Sport Handling variant costs $48,950 with the ES 350 and $49,985 paired with the ES 300h. At the apex of the trim line is the ES 350h Ultra Luxury, which tops out at $52,480 and includes niceties like a head-up display, 12.3-inch touchscreen and 18-inch alloy noise-reduction wheels. It also includes three additional driver-assist features: parking assist with automatic braking, rear pedestrian detection and a panoramic view monitor. (All prices include a $1,150 destination fee.)

Although the sedan segment has declined in recent years due to the rise of crossovers and SUVs, competition remains fierce, and Lexus’ rivals aren’t sleeping on the job. The Genesis G70 posits a challenge to the ES with a gorgeous exterior design and innovative interior touches, and BMW’s 330i is a perennial favorite. From the heart of America, the Cadillac CT5 relies on an appealing legacy and remarkable performance.

Though it’s avaible soley as a four-door sedan, the ES has a broad appeal for a variety of tastes, starting with an adequate 203-horsepower four-cylinder powerplant. At the base level, the ES 250 doesn’t deliver knock-your-socks-off performance, but two other flavors fill that gap. The 350 jumps to a respectable 302-hp V6, and the 350h provides impressive fuel economy with a combined 215-hp motor/engine dynamic duo. In any case, the ES is happy with 87 octane fuel, an advantage over some luxury-sedan competitors like the BMW 330i. 

The demographic for this segment typically includes practical, affluent customers who appreciate a docile ride and add-ons like a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, wood interior trim, and a plethora of driver-assist features. Genesis is doing its best to appeal to a younger set with fancy gadgets and an edgier design with the G70 and BMW’s 330i is a favorite for those seeking a zippier drive. Lexus has more allure for drivers seeking a low-drama experience compared to the CT5, particularly in CT5-V trim, which is more of a blunt instrument for power accompanied by a high-end interior. 

Sold with a standard three-year,36,000-mile basic, five-year, and 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, the Lexus ES is on par with TLX and 330i. However, Genesis goes above and beyond with its 5-year, 60,000-mile basic and 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage. Standard features include a generous set of driver-assist technologies that rivals anything else in the segment. After 40-plus years on the market, the ES is still a good choice and an excellent value for classy sedan fans.

Performance: 9/15

Powered by two different engine choices, the ES can be relaxed and quiet with its standard four-cylinder engine rated for 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque or the quick and responsive V6 rated at 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The 300h hybrid option pairs the four-cylinder with a capable electric motor for a combined total of 215 hp. The ES’ typical handling is focused on delivering a comfortable ride above all else. Still, drivers who enjoy twisty roads may opt for the F Sport handling package with its specially-tuned adaptive suspension and performance dampers that absorb more vibration and control the chassis. 

To compare, BMW’s base 330i comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 255 hp and 294 lb-ft of torque or a thrilling turbo six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system generating an impressive 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of twist. Genesis equips the G70 with a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to start, and Cadillac’s CT5 kicks off its options with a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder making 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with an alternate 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6.

The secret weapon of the ES lineup is the hybrid; Lexus has consistently delivered a dependable electric motor/gas engine combination for years. While it doesn’t offer as much raw power as the V6, the torque boost from the electric motor is helpful for takeoff and passing. 

Fuel Economy: 15/15

Hang onto your wallet, because the ES offers a wide fuel efficiency scale from the ES 250 to the ES 350h. For example, the EPA estimates the fuel economy rating for the 2023 ES 250 at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 34 highway. The V6-powered ES 350 takes only a slight toll on fuel efficiency returning 26 mpg combined, 22 city and 32 highway. (The F-Sport version subtracts one mpg in combined and highway.) As expected, the 300h is the efficiency champ, returning 44 mpg in combined and highway driving and 43 mpg in the city.

The ES is better positioned than the G70, which achieves 25 mpg combined with its inline-four powerplant or a measly 20 mpg in the alternate turbo V6-powered AWD model. Cadillac’s CT5 is slightly less efficient than the ES, rated for 27 mpg combined with the base four-cylinder engine and 21 mpg with the V6 and all-wheel drive. And the BMW 330i does one better than the ES at 29 mpg combined or 27 mpg combined for the all-wheel-drive xDrive option, both with premium fuel. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2022 Lexus ES a Top Safety Pick+, its highest rating. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  gave it five stars. 

Lexus does not skimp on driver-assist technologies, equipping the ES with its standard Safety System+ 2.5 suite. It includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert with pedestrian and cyclist detection with low-light capabilities, automatic high beams and lane departure alert with lane-centering steering assist. 

Indeed, from a safety perspective, Lexus provides nearly everything one would want in a modern sedan, even on the base model. And that’s an essential factor for many buyers.

Comfort & Room: 13/15

There’s no question the ES provides a spacious, plush ride. For 2023, the Japanese brand integrated a redesigned center console with enough room for a sunglass holder, plus designers added a new cup holder location and wireless charger location for easy access. As Americans keep ratcheting up their appetite for hot and cold liquid refreshments and start using more reusable water bottles, the cup holder placement is appreciated. 

Feel free to stretch out in an ES because the front row is exceptionally spacious, with 42.4 inches of legroom and 37.5 inches of headroom (and just a tick more when equipped with a moonroof). Equally important in the segment is the back seat, where passengers can expect 39.2 inches of legroom. That compares favorably to the 330i, which lags in rear legroom by a full four inches. Unfortunately, the Genesis G70 offers even less than the 330i in rear room leg stretch. 

The interior quality of the ES remains steadfast, with supple simulated leather on the base model and a nicely laid-out console across the board. Ten-way adjustable seats are standard, and quilted and perforated semi-aniline leather is optional. The premium package adds heat and ventilation to the front seats and a heated steering wheel. 

Infotainment: 12/15

Oh happy day: Lexus finally deleted the old touchpad interface that caused headaches for American drivers. Along with the standard 8-inch touchscreen, the ES now includes an updated infotainment system with a (cost-additional) concierge assist service, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and cloud-based navigation. 

What’s nifty about the Lexus setup is a physical volume knob with a space-conscious outer tuning ring that enables channel surfing without looking away from the road. Enhanced by dual microphones and improved noise cancellation, the ES’ voice-first approach is apparent in its intuitive Hey Lexus voice control system. 

A better option is the 12-inch touchscreen, which is available on the Luxury grade and both F Sport trims and standard with the Ultra Luxury variant. The same goes for the impressively good, optional 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson audio system. Bluetooth and USB connectivity are included, as are wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. As far as the ES goes, its infotainment system has never been better.

Cargo Space & Storage: 11/15

Spacious and wide, the ES’ trunk swallows a total of 13.9 cubic feet of suitcases, groceries, sports equipment and the like. The G70 offers only 10.7 cubes, the CT5 11.9; the 330i takes the segment win with 17 cubic feet or 13.2 in hybrid form. 

However, the back seat doesn’t fold down, which gives the ES a disadvantage compared to the CT5, 330i, and G70. However, Lexus did equip the ES with a pass-through from the center of the rear seats to the trunk to accommodate items like field hockey sticks or as a portal into the trunk. In addition, a cargo net is available, a smart addition to keep bags, containers, and boxes in place. 

Small storage space is ample and thoughtfully designed, and the new cupholder placement makes more sense in the layout. The two cupholders in the back seat console are convenient and add a touch of limousine-like comfort for rear passengers. Two coat hooks keep clothing and jackets wrinkle-free and off the floor, and the front seatback pockets are great places to store small electronics and reading materials. 

Style & Design: 8/10

From the outside, the ES appears to be sticking with its large spindle grille, LED headlights and sleek body lines carried over from 2022. The side mirrors include integrated turn signals for safety, and arrow-like elements across the front suggest movement and air. Across the rear, the ES is satisfyingly symmetrical, and the quadrangle dual exhaust tips fit the theme. 

The most striking component of the ES’ design in the cabin is its tranquil, spa-like feel. It’s evident that Lexus uses high-quality materials and intelligent construction to create an interior that approaches luxury with a holistic vision. For a little extra, spring for the premium package for leather and wood trim inside, along with two-tone black 18-inch wheels to accentuate the exterior. 

ES stylists aren’t veering far from its roots, but that’s perfectly fine for the Lexus crowd. It may not pull fans from the G70, but the ES maintains its reputation for consistency.

Is the 2023 Lexus ES Worth it? Which ES is the Best Value?

For 2023, the ES is available with two traditional engine options (the ES 250 with an inline-four and the ES 350 powered by a V6) and the hybrid 300h. From there, you can decide between the Luxury and Ultra Luxury trims or the F Sport package. In addition, a premium add-on package is available for the base ES that includes memory seats, wood trim, power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, heated and ventilated seats, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers with de-icing and more. 

If an all-wheel drive is required, the ES 250 is the only option; all other trim levels are only available with front-wheel drive. Genesis starts the G70 off with rear-wheel drive but offers all-wheel drive on both the 2.0T and 3.3T variants. BMW’s 330i and Cadillac’s CT5 are set up in the same way as the G70; BMW calls its all-wheel drive option xDrive. 

We like the combination of the $48,860 300h in the luxury grade, which provides a stellar Lexus hybrid powertrain with excellent fuel efficiency, plus all the goodies of the premium add-on package. The ES has comfortable seating for five, as do its competitors. Still, the Lexus has an elegant luxury feel honed over the past four decades as opposed to upstart Genesis, for example. And its 44 mpg combined fuel economy figure is an impressive 16 mpg better than the next most efficient model, enough to make a genuine impact in everyday use. 

If sportier driving is what you’re after, take a good look at the Lexus IS before deciding. The Is is slightly smaller but more spirited, with more available horsepower and better handling on curvy roads that driving enthusiasts will appreciate.   

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Lexus ES?

The insurance cost across the Lexus ES’ lineup of various powertrains and trims is surprisingly consistent. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of about $2,552 for the base Lexus ES 250, the ES 300 h Ultra Luxury topping out a $2831, though this averages all 50 states. A Genesis G70 owner might pay $2,700 to $2,998 annually, while the Cadillac CT5 is $2,529 to $2,832 (the high-performance CT5-V models are much higher). The BMW 330i runs to about $2,659. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.