2025 Lexus ES Review: Luxury Sedan Comfort and Reliability
2025 Lexus ES Review: Luxury Sedan Comfort and Reliability
The 2025 Lexus ES continues to set the standard in the midsize luxury sedan segment with an exceptional blend of comfort, refinement, and reliability. As one of Lexus’s most popular models, the ES has consistently delivered a serene driving experience, cutting-edge technology, and a reputation for long-term durability. With meaningful updates for the 2025 model year, Lexus has elevated the ES to new heights, making it a compelling choice for drivers seeking premium comfort without sacrificing practicality or value.
In this comprehensive 2025 Lexus ES review, we’ll explore its design, performance, interior technology, safety features, fuel efficiency, and overall ownership experience. Whether you're upgrading from a mainstream sedan or seeking a more dependable alternative to European luxury competitors, the 2025 Lexus ES deserves a closer look.
Exterior Design: Elegance with a Touch of Boldness
The 2025 Lexus ES retains its signature spindle grille, a design hallmark that gives the sedan a bold and distinctive front fascia. However, subtle refinements for this model year enhance its visual appeal. The LED headlights are now more angular and integrated seamlessly into the grille, creating a sleeker, more cohesive look. New alloy wheel designs and updated color options, including a sophisticated Nebula Gray Pearl and a deep Sonic Silver, give the ES a fresh and modern presence.
From the side, the ES maintains its long hood and flowing roofline, conveying a sense of elegance and grace. The wheelbase remains generous at 113 inches, contributing to both spacious interior room and improved ride stability. Flush door handles and aerodynamic detailing help reduce wind noise and improve fuel economy. At the rear, updated LED taillights with sequential turn signals add a touch of modern flair, while the overall silhouette remains understated yet luxurious.
Unlike some German rivals that prioritize aggressive styling, the 2025 Lexus ES opts for a more conservative and timeless aesthetic. This makes it particularly attractive to buyers who appreciate luxury without excess flash. The ES strikes the perfect balance between presence and poise, standing out subtly in a crowded luxury market.
Interior Comfort and Craftsmanship
Step inside the 2025 Lexus ES, and you’re immediately greeted by a cabin that exemplifies Japanese craftsmanship and attention to detail. Premium materials—such as soft-touch leather, real wood trim, and brushed aluminum accents—are thoughtfully integrated throughout. The available semi-aniline leather seats offer exceptional comfort and support, with heating and ventilation available for both front and rear passengers.
One of the standout features of the ES is its exceptional ride comfort. The suspension is tuned for a plush, absorbent feel that glides over bumps and imperfections in the road. Rear-seat passengers benefit from generous legroom—41.3 inches—which rivals that of some full-size luxury sedans. This makes the 2025 ES an ideal choice for executives or families who prioritize passenger comfort.
The noise insulation in the ES is top-tier. Lexus engineers have used acoustic glass, sound-absorbing materials, and active noise cancellation to create one of the quietest cabins in its class. Whether cruising on the highway or navigating city streets, the cabin remains serene, allowing occupants to enjoy conversations or premium audio without distractions.
Storage options are plentiful. The center console features a large bin, dual cupholders, and wireless charging. The glove compartment is easily accessible, and door pockets accommodate bottles and small items. The trunk offers 16 cubic feet of space—ample for luggage, groceries, or golf bags—though it’s slightly smaller than some competitors due to hybrid battery placement in certain trims.
Technology and Infotainment
The 2025 Lexus ES features a redesigned infotainment system running on Lexus’s latest Multimedia platform. The central 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard across all trims and offers crisp graphics, quick response times, and an intuitive interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now wireless, a welcome upgrade that eliminates the need for cables and enhances convenience.
The system supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, ensuring that software improvements and new features are delivered automatically. Voice recognition has been improved, allowing for natural language commands to control navigation, climate settings, and audio playback. A built-in Wi-Fi hotspot keeps passengers connected on the go.
For audiophiles, the available 17-speaker Mark Levinson® premium sound system delivers concert-hall-quality audio. With advanced digital signal processing and strategically placed speakers, including a subwoofer and center channel, the system fills the cabin with rich, balanced sound. Whether listening to classical music or bass-heavy tracks, the audio performance is outstanding.
Digital instrumentation has also evolved. The 8-inch digital gauge cluster is customizable, displaying speed, fuel economy, navigation prompts, and driver assistance alerts. Higher trims offer a full-color head-up display (HUD), projecting key driving information onto the windshield to keep eyes on the road.
Lexus Enform Safety Connect is standard, offering emergency assistance, stolen vehicle tracking, and automatic collision notification. Remote services via the Lexus app allow owners to lock/unlock the vehicle, start the engine, and check fuel levels from their smartphone.
Performance and Driving Dynamics
The 2025 Lexus ES is available with two powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences and efficiency needs. The ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 306 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is smooth and confident, with a 0-60 mph time of approximately 6.5 seconds. While not as sporty as some German rivals, the V6 delivers ample power for highway passing and spirited driving.
For those prioritizing fuel economy and eco-friendliness, the ES 300h hybrid remains a compelling option. It combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce a net system output of 203 horsepower. The hybrid system uses an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) that operates seamlessly, without the rubber-band effect common in older CVTs.
Fuel efficiency is a highlight for the ES 300h, achieving an EPA-estimated 44 mpg city and 46 mpg highway. This makes it one of the most efficient luxury sedans available. The ES 350, while thirstier, still manages a respectable 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway—competitive within its class.
Driving dynamics are tuned for comfort rather than agility. The ES features electric power steering that’s light at low speeds and gains weight at higher speeds, though feedback is limited. The suspension prioritizes ride quality, soaking up road irregularities with ease. While this makes the ES less engaging on twisty roads compared to the BMW 5 Series or Genesis G80, it excels in providing a stress-free, relaxing drive—ideal for daily commutes and long-distance travel.
All-wheel drive (AWD) is not available for the 2025 ES, a point that may deter buyers in regions with harsh winter conditions. However, the front-wheel-drive setup is stable and well-balanced, and traction control systems help maintain grip in adverse weather.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
Lexus continues to lead in vehicle safety, and the 2025 ES is no exception. It comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a suite of advanced driver assistance technologies designed to enhance protection and reduce the risk of accidents.
Key features include:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Uses radar and cameras to detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead, providing alerts and automatic braking if a collision is imminent.
- Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, even in stop-and-go traffic, making highway driving less fatiguing.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Gently corrects steering if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without signaling.
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Warns of vehicles in adjacent lanes and when backing out of parking spaces.
- Road Sign Recognition: Reads traffic signs and displays them on the instrument cluster, helping drivers stay aware of speed limits and other regulations.
- Automatic High Beams: Switches between high and low beams based on oncoming traffic, improving nighttime visibility.
The 2025 ES has earned top safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and “Top Safety Pick+” status from IIHS, thanks to excellent crash test results and standard advanced safety tech.
Additional safety features available on higher trims include a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and a heads-up display. These technologies make parking in tight spaces easier and improve situational awareness in urban environments.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2025 Lexus ES is available in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Luxury, F Sport, and Ultra Luxury. Each trim builds on the previous with added features, materials, and technology.
ES 350 Base ($42,550)
The base model includes the 3.5L V6 engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a power driver’s seat, and the 12.3-inch touchscreen. Standard safety features ensure a strong foundation for comfort and protection.
ES 350 Premium ($46,250)
Adds heated and ventilated front seats, a power passenger seat, a moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, and a 10-speaker audio system. This trim is popular among buyers seeking enhanced comfort without overspending.
ES 350 Luxury ($50,500)
Introduces genuine wood trim, semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Rear-seat amenities like power sunshades and heated outboard seats make this trim ideal for chauffeur-driven use.
ES 300h F Sport ($48,950)
The F Sport trim is available on the hybrid model and adds sport-tuned suspension, unique exterior styling, F Sport badging, sport seats with bolstering, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. It’s designed for drivers who want a more dynamic look and feel without sacrificing fuel efficiency.
ES 350 Ultra Luxury ($56,850)
The top-tier trim features premium extras like a power rear sunshade, rear-seat entertainment system, advanced climate control with nanoe™ air purification, and ambient lighting. It represents the pinnacle of comfort and luxury in the ES lineup.
The 2025 ES offers strong value in the luxury sedan market. While slightly more expensive than some mainstream competitors, its long-term reliability and resale value help offset the initial cost. In comparison to German brands like Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, the ES often comes in at a lower price point with similar or better standard features.
Ownership and Reliability
Lexus has long been synonymous with reliability, and the 2025 ES continues that legacy. According to J.D. Power, the Lexus ES ranks above average in predicted reliability, with few reported issues related to powertrain, electronics, or build quality. The brand consistently tops reliability studies, and the ES benefits from decades of refinement and proven engineering.
Owners report low maintenance costs over time. Routine services such as oil changes and tire rotations are competitively priced, and many components—like the hybrid battery in the ES 300h—are covered under extended warranties. The ES 300h’s hybrid system is backed by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, giving buyers peace of mind.
Resale value is another strength. The 2025 ES is expected to retain over 60% of its value after five years, outperforming many competitors. This strong depreciation curve makes it a smart financial choice for buyers concerned about long-term ownership costs.
Lexus also offers a comprehensive warranty package: 4 years/50,000 miles of basic coverage, 6 years/70,000 miles of hybrid system coverage, and 24-hour roadside assistance. Complimentary maintenance is included for the first two years or 25,000 miles, further reducing ownership burdens.
Comparison with Key Competitors
How does the 2025 Lexus ES stack up against its top rivals?
Lexus ES vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The E-Class offers a more luxurious interior with higher-end materials and a more upscale ambiance. However, it comes at a significantly higher price. The ES matches the E-Class in standard tech and safety while offering better fuel economy (especially in hybrid form) and lower maintenance costs. Reliability is also a key differentiator