2025 Lexus ES Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
The ES tends to fly under the radar, yet it boasts an impressive legacy. Now in its seventh generation, the ES has enjoyed a decades-long production run. In that time, it earned a reputation as a dependable, straightforward, and relatively affordable choice among luxury midsize sedans. Its rivals include prestigious models such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
What’s New
After a hiatus, the Black Line Special Edition package is once again available on the ES for 2025. Lexus has gradually updated the ES over the years, giving it revised exterior styling and more standard driver assist features for 2022, and an improved center console and touchscreen infotainment suite for 2023.
What We Think
Some drivers simply want a car that’s comfortable, safe, reliable, efficient, and light on pretense. The Lexus ES fits this description well.
Inside the cabin, spacious seats and premium materials accompany a high-quality feel. Although the ES’ base infotainment touchscreen is small, the optional unit is sufficiently large, and both work well enough to get the job done. Lexus includes many driver assist features that some European competitors charge extra for—those work very well and contribute to the ES’ appealing value proposition.
Where the ES falls short is how it drives. None of its powertrains are particularly refined, generating undue noise and vibration while not accelerating very impressively. Ride quality can get upset by rough surfaces, compromising the serene feel.
It’s not that the ES drives badly; rather, it’s that its competitors drive better. They offer quicker acceleration, superior handling, and more entertaining dynamics while still providing comparable comfort. Nevertheless, the ES deserves attention for its strong performance in pragmatic considerations.
Performance and MPGs
Lexus offers the ES with three distinctly different powertrains: the AWD-equipped ES250, the V-6-powered ES350, and the electrified ES300h hybrid.
2025 Lexus ES250
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Engine: 2.5-liter I-4
- Horsepower/Torque: 203 hp/184 lb-ft
- Efficiency (city/highway): 25/34 mpg
- Acceleration (0–60 mph): 8.6 seconds (est.)
2025 Lexus ES350
- Drivetrain: FWD
- Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
- Horsepower/Torque: 302 hp/267 lb-ft
- Efficiency (city/highway): 22/32 mpg
- Acceleration (0–60 mph): 6.6 seconds (est.)
2025 Lexus ES300h
- Drivetrain: FWD
- Engine: 2.5-liter I-4 and electric motor
- Horsepower/Torque: 215 hp/163 lb-ft
- Efficiency (city/highway): 43/44 mpg
- Acceleration (0–60 mph): 7.3 seconds
Safety Ratings and Features
In its most recent round of safety testing, the 2024 ES earned a five-star overall score from NHTSA, the highest possible. Additionally, IIHS deemed it a 2023 Top Safety Pick, the agency’s second-best designation.
Like all new Lexus models, the ES comes equipped with many driver assist and active safety features. Among these are front automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Passengers will find abundant space to stretch out inside the ES’ cabin. However, cargo space in the trunk isn’t tremendous.
Technology
Entry-level versions of the ES come equipped with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, but higher-end models gain a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Six USB ports are equipped throughout the cabin. All ES trim levels have a somewhat small reconfigurable gauge cluster display, which can be supplemented by an available head-up display. Most trims get a wireless charging pad. A 10-speaker audio system is included, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium setup is optional on all trims.
The 2025 Lexus ES Black Line Special Edition
The ES isn’t sporty, but that has never stopped Lexus from trying to pass it off as so. That posturing is demonstrated for 2025 with the return of the Black Line Special Edition, which was previously available in 2021. Based on the dubiously named ES350 F Sport Handling trim, the Black Line Special Edition receives a black trunklid spoiler, black side molding, and F Sport–branded puddle lamps. Inside, it has the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and head-up display. Actual performance upgrades? Nothing of the sort.
Read our First Test review of the 2025 ES Black Line Special Edition here.
New Lexus ES Coming?
As Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus typically bases its vehicles on developments from its mainstream counterpart. That’s the case with the ES, which shares hardware with the Toyota Camry. Now that the Camry has been redesigned for 2025, could a new Lexus ES be on the way? Possibly—this generation has been around since 2019, so a redesign soon would make sense. However, sedans continue to fall out of favor compared to SUVs—Lexus builds three sedan models, and seven SUVs. If a next-generation ES does arrive, expect it to be a 2026 or 2027 model, likely built exclusively with a hybrid powertrain as is the case with the new Camry.
