2026 Lexus ES vs. the Competition

The first all-electric sedan from Lexus, the ES, is a technological powerhouse, an advanced machine that raises the bar for its whole segment. There is obviously a lot to like about this midsize sedan, but to fully appreciate just how far it is ahead of the curve, we figured it would be best to show how the competition actually stacks up. So we’ve put together this guide to the all-new Lexus ES and how it compares with its competitors.

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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First up, we have the BMW i5, the electric version of the popular 5 Series sedan. Like its gas-powered counterpart, the i5 comes with a pretty steep starting price, which is why we’re using the top ES 500e Luxury trim for this comparison. Power is very similar, but the price difference is enough that the AWD version of the ES still has a noticeable price advantage over the i5. This is a good time to mention range and why we left it off the chart. The AWD ES has a range of 276 miles, which is essentially the same as the 278 miles you get from the AWD version of the i5. The two-wheel drive ES gets 307 miles, while the same configuration of the i5 gets 310. So range is basically the same, and so we figured it would be better to show that the ES still has a real price advantage even with AWD.

While you could always spend the money to upgrade an i5 to all-wheel drive, there is one drivetrain advantage which is standard on the Lexus ES that isn’t available at all on the BMW - an actual transmission. While most EVs, including the i5, use direct drive to send power to the wheels, the ES delivers a superior driving experience by using a CVT with shift points that can be manually operated with paddles. The ES is a bit bigger than the i5, and this translates into both more cargo space and more legroom, especially for the back seats. Speaking of seats, the Luxury trim of the ES comes with standard leather upholstery, yet the still-more-expensive i5 does not. Neither does the BMW come with adaptive cruise control or a head-up display as standard, but the ES does. Lastly, both of these cars come with premium, name-brand stereo systems, but the system in the ES comes with quite a few more speakers.

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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For our next comparison, we’re comparing the Lexus ES Hybrid and the competitor with an almost identical price, the Cadillac CT5. The CT5 isn’t a hybrid, though, so in addition to offering a bit less power, it also falls short in the fuel economy department. Cadillac adds insult to this injury by requiring premium gas, something you don’t have to worry about with the ES. Since the Hybrid version of the ES has a fuel tank, there is less trunk space than you get in the electric version, but when compared to other gas-powered vehicles like the CT5, it still comes out ahead. And even though there isn’t much difference in front legroom, the ES once again offers significantly more rear legroom.

A couple of important features to note on the ES are the standard sunroof and the 19-inch wheels. Both of these features are available for the CT5, but each one adds more than a thousand dollars apiece to the cost of the Cadillac. The ES is packed with advanced technology, and features like real-time weather info or a cabin camera that come standard on the ES are either extra-cost options or aren’t available at all on the CT5.

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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For our last comparison, we’re looking at the Genesis G80, a relative newcomer to the segment. The ES once again has a price advantage, so we’re using the Premium+ trim, and we’re adding the optional AWD, since it’s standard on the G80. And even with all of that, the ES still comes out with a bit of a price advantage. That advantage grows with the vastly superior fuel economy of the ES, not to mention the ability to use regular gas at the pump. And once again, the competition doesn’t come close to matching the rear legroom of the ES.

The interesting thing about the bigger wheels that come with the ES is that getting 19-inch wheels on the G80 requires you to move up to the next trim, which is priced more than $5,000 above the base trim we’re looking at here. Stereo systems give the ES another clear win, and even if you do want to spend the extra to move up to a trim of the G80 with a premium stereo, it still doesn’t match the wattage of the Mark Levinson® system in the ES. For all the extra money you have to spend on the G80, you would think that it would be well equipped, but features like a sunroof, ventilated front seats, a digital rearview mirror, and parking assist are all optional extras, while they come standard on the ES.

Winner - Lexus ES

Even in its eighth generation, it’s easy to see why the ES has always been such an important model to Lexus. It so effortlessly gives you more than the competition, whether you’re talking about fuel economy, luxury features, or driving dynamics. The popularity of the ES is easy to explain with hard data, but experiencing it for yourself is even more effective. Let Lexus of Cleveland help you find your new ES.

*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.