2026 Lexus ES vs. the Competition

One of the first models offered by Lexus and the best-selling luxury sedan in the US, the Lexus ES is now also the first sedan to be offered by Lexus with an all-electric drivetrain. Lexus obviously knows a thing or two about how to make a successful sedan, but to truly appreciate just what a game-changer the ES is for the whole segment, we’re going to have to take a look at how the competition measures up to it.

Lexus ES VS BMW i5

2026 Lexus ES 500e Luxury	VS	2026 BMW i5 eDrive40
$60,295 ?	MSRP*	$68,550
338 ?	Horsepower	335
All-wheel drive ?	Drivetrain Configuration	Rear-wheel drive
CVT w/sequential shifts ?	Transmission	Direct drive
18.3 cubic feet ?	Trunk Space	17.3 cubic feet
41.8 inches / 40.7 inches ?	Legroom (front / rear)	41.3 inches / 37 inches
Standard ?	Leather Upholstery	Optional
Standard ?	Adaptive Cruise Control	Optional
Standard ?	Head-Up Display	Optional
17 ?	Speakers	12

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The BMW 5 Series is another of the most popular luxury sedans on the market, and like the ES, it is offered in an electric version, known as the i5. But unlike the ES, the i5 has quite a high starting price, meaning that you can upgrade to the highest trim of the ES and opt for the all-wheel drive and still come in under the starting price of the i5. And what does that money get you from the i5? Not more range, that’s for sure. Maximum range for the ES is 307 miles, while the i5 comes in at 310 miles, so no real difference there. There are more powerful versions of the i5, but they add even more to the price of the already more expensive BMW. In this price range, the ES has a bit more power. But the real advantage, in terms of driving dynamics, is the fact that the ES has an actual transmission. While the direct drive setup used by the i5 is the norm for electric vehicles, the CVT with shift paddles in the ES gives you a more engaging experience.

The ES is a bit bigger than the i5, so that means more trunk space and more legroom. And not only do you have more space in the ES, but those seats come with leather upholstery in this trim, which the i5 does not. High-tech features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display will also add more to the price of the i5, but not the ES. Lastly, while the i5 does come with a premium stereo, it doesn’t quite reach the same level as the system in the ES.

Lexus ES VS Cadillac CT5

2026 Lexus ES 350h Premium	VS	2026 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury
$51,095	MSRP*	$50,995
244 ?	Horsepower	237
46 mpg ?	Fuel Economy (combined)	26 mpg
Regular ?	Recommended Fuel	Premium
13.3 cubic feet ?	Trunk Space	11.9 cubic feet
40.7 inches ?	Rear Legroom	37.9 inches
19 inches ?	Wheels	18 inches
Standard ?	Sunroof	Optional
Standard ?	Real-Time Weather Information	Optional
Standard ?	Cabin Camera	Not Available

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Next up is the Cadillac CT5, which is notable for its price, which is almost identical to that of the ES Hybrid. That said, the CT5 is not a hybrid, and it falls short on both power and fuel economy. The huge difference in fuel economy is made all the more important by the fact that the CT5 requires premium fuel, which the ES does not.

Since it has a fuel tank, the ES Hybrid isn’t able to offer as much trunk space as its electric counterpart, but it still beats the CT5 by a significant amount. Legroom is once again a win for the ES, too. The ES comes with 19-inch wheels and a sunroof as standard, both of which are available on the CT5, but at a cost of more than a thousand dollars apiece. The ES wins on standard tech features too, including real-time weather information and a cabin camera.

Lexus ES VS Genesis G80

2026 Lexus ES 350h Premium+ AWD	VS	2026 Genesis G80 2.5T AWD
$57,295 ?	MSRP*	$59,945
46 mpg ?	Fuel Economy (combined)	23 mpg
Regular ?	Recommended Fuel	Premium
40.7 inches ?	Rear Legroom	38.7 inches
19 inches ?	Wheels	18 inches
17 ?	Speakers	9
Standard ?	Sunroof	Optional
Standard ?	Ventilated Front Seats	Optional
Standard ?	Digital Rearview Mirror	Optional
Standard ?	Parking Assist	Optional

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Our last comparison features the G80, a model that has only been around for a few years at this point. The G80 does come with standard AWD, which is rare for a sedan, but the AWD ES still has a noticeable price advantage, even if you upgrade to the Premium+ trim, which is what we’ve done here. Fuel economy for the G80 is unimpressive when compared to the ES, and once again, the ES can use regular fuel while competitors need to fork over extra cash for premium. The ES has only a tiny advantage in trunk space, but legroom is once again a clear win.

The ES comes with a bigger set of wheels than the G80, but it’s not a simple upgrade to get the same size on the G80. You have to move up to a higher trim, one that comes with a price jump of over $5,000. The generic stereo that comes with the G80 doesn’t come close to competing with the 1,800-watt Mark Levinson® stereo in the ES. Despite the higher price of the G80, there are a lot of features that come standard on the ES but require a trim upgrade to have them on a G80. This includes things like a sunroof, ventilated front seats, a digital rearview mirror, and parking assist.

Winner - Lexus ES

There’s no question that the ES gives you more for your money than you get from its competitors, a lot more. This has always been the secret to the success of the ES, and it’s more true than ever for the eighth generation of the midsize sedan. Of course, the only way to truly understand the appeal of the ES is to experience it in person, and that’s where Lexus of Akron-Canton comes in. Let us help you find the ES that’s right for you.

*Starting MSRP includes the Delivery, Processing and Handling fee (DPH), which is subject to change at any time. Excludes manufacturer and dealer options, taxes, title and license, and dealer fees and charges. Dealer price will vary.