Head-to-head
2025 Honda Civic vs 2025 Lexus ES
The Honda Civic edges it, 87.8 to 83.4, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, space & cargo. The Lexus ES is ahead on performance and safety. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.3 and it flips.
B
2025 Honda Civic
The 2025 Honda Civic is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize sedan with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Civic 4Dr, is EPA-ra…
vs
A2025 Lexus ES
The 2025 Lexus ES is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the ES 300h, is EPA-rated a…
Verdict · default weights
2025 Honda Civic
Slight edgeThe Honda Civic edges it, 87.8 to 83.4, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, space & cargo. The Lexus ES is ahead on performance and safety. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.3 and it flips.
Tech & comfort 2025 Honda Civic leads by 45.9
Performance 2025 Lexus ES leads by 50.3
Fuel & range 2025 Honda Civic leads by 10.1
| Category · weight | 2025 Lexus ESoverall 83.4 | 2025 Honda Civicoverall 87.8 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 89.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 86.1 | 82.5 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 95.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 49.7 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 54.1 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 83.4 | 87.8 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Lexus ES: base trim Standard FWD · Honda Civic: base trim LX FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.3 and the answer flips.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Honda Civic wins
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 2.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (37 points against 20 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It is rated 49 combined against 44 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2025 Lexus ES answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (5 against 108 filed with NHTSA).
- It makes 302 hp against 150.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
50 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $43,215 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | — | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 3,456 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 6-cylinders, V type | Atkinson In-Line 4-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | EFI, D-4S | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 302 hp | 150 hp |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft | 133 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 22 mpg | 32 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 25 mpg | 36 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 32 mpg | 41 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.561 | 3.941 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | Continuously Variable Transmission |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Overall height | 56.9 in | 55.7 in |
| Overall length | 196 in | 185 in |
| Overall width | 73.4 in | 70.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 113 in | 108 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 13.9 cu-ft | 14.8 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 99.9 cu-ft | 99 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 37.5 in | 39.3 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 37.1 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.8 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.4 in | 42.3 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 37.4 in |
| Third-row legroom | 39.2 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 2,877 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | — | 2,877 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,740 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut-type | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear suspension type | Trailing wishbone independent | Multi-Link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | EPS | Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19 ft | 36.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 305 mm | 282 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | Electric |
| Rear brake diameter | 282 mm | 259 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | steel |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 215/55R16 93H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.9 gal | 12.4 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Lexus | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 120 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.9 in | 57 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 56 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 54.3 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
142 features · differences first, then sharedSafety31 differ · 31 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow | — | std |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | — | std |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Advanced Front Airbags (SRS) | — | std |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Front Side Airbags | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) | — | std |
| Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Rear Outboard Passenger's Side Airbags | — | std |
| Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure | — | std |
| Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) | — | std |
| Auto High-Beam Headlights | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Child-Proof Rear Door Locks | — | std |
| Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) | — | std |
| Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer | — | std |
| Driver's and Front Passenger's Knee Airbags (SRS) | — | std |
| Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) | — | std |
| Hill Start Assist | — | std |
| Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 | std | — |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row Outboard), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All) | — | std |
| Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines | — | std |
| Rear Seat Reminder (RSR) | — | std |
| Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) | — | std |
| Seat-Belt Reminder for all Seating Positions | — | std |
| Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor | — | std |
| Traffic Jam Assist | — | std |
| Traffic Sign Recognition System (TSR) | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | — | std |
Infotainment26 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability | std | — |
| 160-watt Audio System with 4 Speakers | — | std |
| 7-Inch Color Touchscreen | — | std |
| 7-Inch TFT Meter | — | std |
| Alexa Built-In | — | std |
| Android Auto™ Compatibility | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay® Compatibility | — | std |
| Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity | std | — |
| Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Streaming Audio | — | std |
| Drive Connect with Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant and Destination Assist available by subscription | std | — |
| HondaLink® | — | std |
| Lexus 10-speaker Premium Sound System | std | — |
| Lexus app | std | — |
| Lexus Interface with 8-inch touchscreen display | std | — |
| Paddle Shifters | std | — |
| Radio Data System (RDS) | — | std |
| Remote Connect 3-year trial | std | — |
| Safety Connect with up to 10-year trial | std | — |
| Service Connect with up to 10-year trial | std | — |
| SiriusXM 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription | std | — |
| Six USB ports | std | — |
| Speed-Sensitive Volume Compensation (SVC) | — | std |
| USB-C 3.0A Smartphone/Audio Interface (x2) - Front Seats | — | std |
| Wireless Android Auto™ Compatibility | std | — |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® integration | std | — |
Convenience12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | — | std |
| 12-Volt Power Outlet (Front) | — | std |
| Cruise Control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake with Automatic Brake Hold | — | std |
| Honda Maintenance Program 1yr / 12k miles | — | std |
| One-Touch Turn Indicators | — | std |
| Power Door Locks | — | std |
| Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver's and Front Passenger's Windows | — | std |
| Premium Package: Wood trim, Lexus Memory System for driver's seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel, Power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, Heated and ventilated front seats, Wireless phone charger, Heated leather steering wheel, Power-folding-outside mirrors with auto title-down in reverse, Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Rain-sensing windshield wipers, Windshield wiper de-icer | opt | — |
| Security System with Remote Entry and Trunk Release | — | std |
| SmartAccess card key | opt | — |
| Technology Package: Lexus Interface w/ 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Drive Connect w/ Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant and Destination Assist 3-year trial, Head-Up Display and SmartAccess card key | opt | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Climate Control System | — | std |
| Dual-zone climate control with interior air filters, smog sensor and automatic recirculation mode | std | — |
Seating5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way power-adjustable front seats | std | — |
| 5-Person Seating Capacity | — | std |
| One Piece Fold-Down Rear Seatback | — | std |
| Perforated NuLuxe® interior trim | std | — |
| Seating for five | std | — |
Interior14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Area Light | — | std |
| Center Console with Sliding Armrest and Storage Compartment | — | std |
| Front Beverage Holders | — | std |
| Headroom (in.) (front/rear): 39.3 / 37.1 | — | std |
| Hiproom (in.) (front/rear): 54.3 / 48.9 | — | std |
| Illuminated Steering Wheel-Mounted Controls | — | std |
| Legroom (in.) (front/rear): 42.3 / 37.4 | — | std |
| Map Lights | — | std |
| Passenger Volume (cu ft.): 99.0 | — | std |
| Shoulder Room (in.) (front/rear): 57.0 / 56.0 | — | std |
| Sliding Sunvisors | — | std |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Column | — | std |
| Wood trim with ambient lighting | opt | — |
| Floor Mats | — | std |
Exterior21 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature | std | — |
| 17-inch twin-V-spoke alloy wheels with Dark Metallic and machined finish | std | — |
| 18-inch split-10-spoke alloy wheels with two-tone Black and machined finish | opt | — |
| All-Season Tires: 215/55R16 93H / 235/40R18 91W | — | std |
| Bi-LED headlamps | std | — |
| Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Compact Spare Tire: T125/80D16 97M / T125/85R16 99M | — | std |
| Curb Weight (lbs.): 2,877 / 2,935 / 3,208 / 3,252 | — | std |
| Fin-Type Roof-Mounted Antenna | — | std |
| Height (in.): 55.7 | — | std |
| LED Brake, Side Marker and Taillights | — | std |
| LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off | — | std |
| Length (in.): 184.8 | — | std |
| Power Side Mirrors | — | std |
| Push-to-Release Fuel Filler Door | — | std |
| Track (in.) (front/rear): 60.9/62.0 / 60.5/61.6 | — | std |
| Two-Speed Intermittent Windshield Wipers | — | std |
| Weight Distribution (%) (front/rear): 61/39 / 64/36 | — | std |
| Wheelbase (in.): 107.7 | — | std |
| Wheels: 16 in with Full Covers / 18 in Gloss Black Alloys / 18 in Alloys with Matte Shark Gray Inserts | — | std |
| Width (in.): 70.9 | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | std |
Powertrain21 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| Bore and Stroke (mm): 81 × 96.7 | — | std |
| CARB Emissions Rating: LEV3-SULEV30 / LEV4-SULEV30 | — | std |
| Compression Ratio: 13:1 / 13.9:1 | — | std |
| Continuously Variable Transmission | — | std |
| Direct Fuel Injection | — | std |
| Displacement (cc): 1,993 | — | std |
| Drive Mode Select | std | — |
| Dynamic Drive Modes: 2-Mode Econ/Normal / 3-Mode Econ/Normal/Sport / 4-Mode Econ/Normal/Sport/Individual | — | std |
| Eco Assist™ System | — | std |
| Engine Type: Atkinson In-Line 4-cylinder | — | std |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (U.S. gal.): 12.4 / 10.6 | — | std |
| Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm): 150 @ 6,400 / 141 @ 6,000 | — | std |
| Idle-Stop | — | std |
| MPG Ratings (City/Hwy/Combined): 32/41/36 / 31/39/34 / 50/47/49 | — | std |
| Ratio Range: 2.526 ~ 0.408 / Electric Motor : 2.231 Lock-up : 0.805 | — | std |
| Redline (rpm): 6,700 / 6,250 | — | std |
| Required Fuel: Regular Unleaded | — | std |
| Torque (lb.-ft. @rpm): 133 @ 4,000-5,000 / 134 @ 4,500 | — | std |
| Tune-up Interval: 100k +/- Miles / No Scheduled Tune-Ups | — | std |
| Valve Train: 16-Valve DOHC Dual-VTC | — | std |
Chassis8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| MacPherson Strut Front Suspension | — | std |
| Multi-Link Rear Suspension | — | std |
| Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes (in.) (front/rear): 11.1 / 10.2 | — | std |
| Stabilizer Bar (mm) (front/rear): 26.5 x 4.5 (tubular) / 17.0 (solid) / 17.5 (solid) | — | std |
| Steering Ratio: 11.3:1 / 11.5:1 | — | std |
| Steering Wheel Turns, Lock-to-Lock: 2.30 / 2.20 | — | std |
| Turning Diameter, Curb-to-Curb (ft.): 36.1 / 38.1 | — | std |
| Variable Ratio Electric Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering (EPS) | — | std |
Cargo1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume (cu ft.): 14.8 | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPLexus ES
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 5 · 2 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (2), Back Over Prevention (2), Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
Top recalls
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
Honda Civic
Safety Signal 85 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 108 · 11 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Steering (43), Forward Collision Avoidance (22), Fuel/Propulsion System (16)
Top recalls
- high Fuel System, Gasoline 24V763000 · 720,810 vehicles
- high Steering 24V744000 · 1,693,199 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Lexus ESStandard FWD | Honda CivicLX FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $43,215 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $43,215 – $52,105 8 trims | — 4 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | ES 300h | Civic 4Dr |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 44 | 49 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,500 | $1,350 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Lexus ES or the 2025 Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic edges it, 87.8 to 83.4, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, space & cargo. The Lexus ES is ahead on performance and safety. Raise the performance weight from 2 to 3.3 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Honda Civic scores 87.8 and the 2025 Lexus ES 83.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Lexus ES or the 2025 Honda Civic?
2025 Lexus ES: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Honda Civic: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Lexus ES and the 2025 Honda Civic?
Where the 2025 Honda Civic wins: it lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 2, lists more comfort and tech equipment (37 points against 20 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and is rated 49 combined against 44 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2025 Lexus ES answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (5 against 108 filed with NHTSA) and makes 302 hp against 150. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.