Lexus IS Vs ES: The Differences Explained

Only two words are required to achieve driving perfection: Lexus sedan. Although we are slightly exaggerating, driving a Lexus sedan is a truly rewarding experience that needs to be experienced to be fully understood. While the flagship LS is the ultimate Lexus experience, very few people can afford its near $100,000 price point.

This leaves us with two remaining sedans in the Lexus line-up: the Lexus ES and the Lexus IS. These two Japanese luxury sedans are priced similarly, around the $40,000 price point, so what differentiates them aside from their cost? Stick around as we break it down.

Lexus IS Vs Lexus ES At A Glance

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Lexus IS – The Compact Sport Sedan

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One Of The Last “Compact” Japanese Luxury Sedans

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Since the 2017 departure of the Lexus CT hatchback, the smallest and most affordable four-door non-SUV available in the Lexus lineup has been the 2025 Lexus IS. Although the size of the Lexus IS has grown since its introduction to the U.S. market in 1999, it still hasn’t lost its RWD roots and strong appeal to younger (male) consumers. The Lexus IS is the only legitimate direct competitor to the long-term dominance of the BMW 3-Series and BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe in the niche performance RWD sport sedan market (in terms of sales).

A Diverse Powertrain Line-Up

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While still unable to match the sheer enjoyment of BMW’s sport sedan driving experience, the Lexus IS still offers impressive raw performance and great driving dynamics that are seldom found in today’s modern vehicles. The boost from the turbo-four found in the IS 250 model provides a nice and lively character, while the IS 350 model still sports the tried-and-true 311-horsepower 2GR V-6 engine. For those indulgent few who want as close to the experience of a BMW E90 M3 in a modern sedan, the 5.0-liter V-8-powered IS 500 F Sport Performance rounds out the selection of Lexus IS models.

Lexus ES – The Comfortable Luxury Cruiser

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Sporty Look But Not A Sport Sedan

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While the 2025 Lexus ES may look sleeker and more stylish than ever before with its most recent facelift in 2024, the Lexus ES is still a composed highway cruiser first and foremost. Lexus introduced the F Sport trim to the ES sedan in 2019 in order to attract a younger audience to the comfortable Lexus sedan, but it is still clear that the ES still favors more mature and less performance-oriented consumers. While the FWD Lexus ES has no pretensions about being a sports sedan, it does excel as it was intended: a comfortable and quiet cruiser that effortlessly racks up smooth-sailing miles.

The Ultimate Luxury Daily

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While the rear seats of the Lexus IS are both usable and comfortable, the Lexus ES makes its seating, interior quality, and spaciousness all within its strong suits. With its lofty suspension feel and ease-of-use built into every detail, the Lexus ES feels like the perfect five-seat vehicle for any occasion. For the same entry price of $43,435, you will find two options: the 2025 ES 250 AWD and the 2025 ES 350. Unless you need the AWD capability (we really mean need), the 2025 ES 350 is infinitely better as far as providing a rich and rewarding luxury experience behind the wheel.

Size And Interior Space Differences

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In just about every dimension, the Lexus ES is a larger vehicle than the Lexus IS. Yet, the two Lexus sedans’ most significant differences are in their overall length (the ES is 10.47 inches longer) and height (the ES is 0.4 inches taller). The Lexus ES makes use of this extra space to further upgrade its practicality, as it offers almost 50 percent more cargo room than the Lexus IS.

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Also improved is the overall spaciousness of the interior dimensions, where the Lexus ES dominates the Lexus IS in rear seat legroom (39.2 inches vs. 32.2 inches). Impressively so, despite the larger size of the Lexus ES, it is not significantly heavier than the more compact Lexus IS. Overall, it is clear that the Lexus ES is by far the better vehicle when geared toward practicality (especially if you have rear seat passengers regularly).

Driving Experience – Sporty Vs Comfortable

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If you want to burn rubber and kick the tail out now and then, the Lexus IS will be happy to oblige in even its most tame trim. While the IS 300 model is more geared toward overall usability than raw performance, it does have a fun character. If you prefer a naturally-aspirated flavor, we’d avoid the detuned V-6 found in the IS 300 AWD and opt for the IS 350 or IS 350 that unlocks the full potential of this platform. The 311-horsepower V-6 isn’t fast per se, but it does have character and enough grunt to acquire real speed (and it sounds good). The top-dollar V-8-powered IS 500 F Sport Performance is built for all-out hooliganism while sporting a distinguished executive look.

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While the Lexus ES may not be geared for a sporty feel, it provides a rewarding driving experience different from its compact sibling. The best way to describe driving a Lexus ES is “easy”. The Lexus ES is never hurried, but always ready. Composed when it needs to be (99.9% of the time), but put your food down in the V-6 model and watch as the speeds climb effortlessly. The absolute best part about the Lexus ES is that whether you are cruising at 40 mph or 80 mph, the chassis is compliant, and the cabin is whisper-quiet. The Lexus ES glides so smoothly at highway speeds that it makes our blood boil that we can’t experience it in an unrestricted setting like the German Autobahn.

Pricing And Value

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If you are shopping for a new Lexus sedan in 2025, expect prices within the $40,000 to $50,000 range for most Lexus IS and ES trims. The only outlier in this case is the $60,815 starting price of the 2025 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, which has a very different focus and target audience. Compared to its long-term resident German rivals, the Lexus ES is positioned to undercut their higher price points and offer more value. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Sedan starts at $63,900, whereas the 2026 BMW 530i starts at $59,900.

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Similar to the Lexus ES, the $41,830 starting price of the Lexus IS also seeks to undercut the competition with its lower price point when compared to its main rivals. The 2026 BMW 330i starts at $47,500, while the 2026 Mercedes C 300 Sedan starts at $48,450. Unless you are sold on the German aesthetic or massive infotainment screens, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport Design offers virtually the same 0-to-60 MPH performance as the equivalent BMW 330i for a couple of thousand less.

Which Lexus Sedan Is Right For You?

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While both the Lexus ES and the Lexus IS are compelling value propositions (especially when compared to their expensive rivals), these two Lexus sedans are built for entirely different audiences. While the Lexus ES is not a sports sedan, it makes up for it with whisper-quiet driving comfort and undeniable ease of use. Considering we didn’t even discuss the most attractive variant of the ES, the fuel-frugal ES Hybrid, it is clear that Lexus’ mid-range sedan is a champion of everyday use and practicality.

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While the Lexus IS may seem a bit outdated compared to alternative options, it is still clearly a solid luxury sedan with more redeeming features than not. We have come to love the aesthetic changes to this Japanese sports sedan, although the recently announced 2026 Lexus IS does have us scratching our heads a bit about the uncertain future of Lexus design. Either way, there may be no Lexus sedans left for sale five years from now, so if either of these models appeals to you, they may be gone sooner than you think. Happy hunting!