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Lexus ES vs Lexus LS

What's the difference?

VS
Lexus ES
Lexus ES

$54,999 - $77,900

2023 price

Lexus LS
Lexus LS

2023 price

Summary

2023 Lexus ES
2023 Lexus LS
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.4L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
4.8L/100km (combined)

10.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Dated interior, fiddly controls
  • Firm ride
  • Road and engine noise at speed

  • Feels a bit old-fashioned to drive
  • The hybrid would be nicer to be driven in
  • Dated multimedia software
2023 Lexus ES Summary

What’s the closest thing we have to a modern-day Holden Statesman/Caprice?

If, like General Motors, you obliterate Australia’s Own from existence altogether, you’re left with time-honoured rivals also made in this country, like the Ford Fairlane, Chrysler by Chrysler and Toyota’s Crown and Avalon.

But they’re also all in history’s dustbin (well, the American ones, anyway), leaving the humble Camry as the sole living nameplate with any connection to Australian manufacturing.

And since the Lexus ES is a close relative, we’re going to take a fresh look at the latest version, with a view of it as a bit of a survivor of a bygone era – where aspirational vehicles were created from normal family sedans.

Just like the Fairlane, Crown and of course, the Caprice.

Launched in mid 2018 but facelifted in 2021, we test the ultimate version of the seventh-generation ES, the 300h Sports Luxury – or SL, if we’re to make yet another tenuous connection to long-gone Holdens.

Let’s go!

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Interested in a Lexus ES?
2023 Lexus LS Summary

Surprisingly, for people who would rather be driven than drive themselves, there are quite a few options available in the large luxury sedan market.

While on the whole sedans have fallen from favour, this niche corner of the market continues to let the three-box design thrive.

The options here have changed a bit in the last few years, though, so how does the Lexus flagship, the LS fit into the picture? I drove one around for a week to find out.

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Interested in a Lexus LS?

Deep dive comparison

2023 Lexus ES 2023 Lexus LS

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