2025 Lexus ES vs 2025 Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.4 to 76.4, on fuel & range. The Lexus ES is ahead on safety.
2025 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…
2025 Tesla Model 3
The 2025 Tesla Model 3 is sold in the U.S. as an electric midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model 3 Long Range RWD, …
2025 Tesla Model 3
Clear winThe Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.4 to 76.4, on fuel & range. The Lexus ES is ahead on safety.
| Category · weight | 2025 Lexus ESoverall 76.4 | 2025 Tesla Model 3overall 84.4 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 35.2 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 95.5 | 64.8 | |||||||||
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 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | |||||||||
| Overall | 76.4 | 84.4 | |||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 3 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for Tesla Model 3
Lexus ES: base trim Standard FWD · Tesla Model 3: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins
- It is rated 137 combined against 44 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,500).
Where the 2025 Lexus ES answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (5 against 124 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 85).
What they share
- 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
42 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $43,215 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Cylinder count | 6 | — |
| Engine displacement | 3,456 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 6-cylinders, V type | — |
| Fuel injection system | EFI, D-4S | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 302 hp | — |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 25 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 32 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 2.561 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Overall height | 56.9 in | — |
| Overall length | 196 in | — |
| Overall width | 73.4 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 113 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 13.9 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 99.9 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 37.5 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 37.8 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.4 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 39.2 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,740 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent MacPherson strut-type | — |
| Rear suspension type | Trailing wishbone independent | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | EPS | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 305 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 282 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | — |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.9 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Lexus | — |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 120 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 55.9 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
30 features · differences first, then sharedSafety2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 | std | — |
Infotainment14 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connect with up to 30-day/3GB trial | std | — |
| Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity | std | — |
| Drive Connect with Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant and Destination Assist available by subscription | std | — |
| Lexus 10-speaker Premium Sound System | std | — |
| Lexus app | std | — |
| Lexus Interface with 8-inch touchscreen display | std | — |
| Paddle shifters | 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 | — |
| Wireless Android Auto™ compatibility | std | — |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® integration | std | — |
Convenience3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| 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 | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-zone climate control with interior air filters, smog sensor and automatic recirculation mode | std | — |
Seating3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way power-adjustable front seats | std | — |
| Perforated NuLuxe® interior trim | std | — |
| Seating for five | std | — |
Interior1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Wood trim with ambient lighting | opt | — |
Exterior5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Power moonroof | 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 | — |
| Bi-LED headlamps | std | — |
| LED taillamps and daytime running lights | std | — |
Powertrain1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Mode Select | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPLexus ES
Top recalls
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
Tesla Model 3
Top recalls
- high Electrical System 25V690000 · 12,963 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V002000 · 239,382 vehicles
- minor Tires 24V935000 · 696,281 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Lexus ESStandard FWD | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $43,215 (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | $43,215 – $52,105 8 trims | — |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | ES 300h | Model 3 Long Range RWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 44 | 137 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,500 | $550 |
| EV range | — | 363 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Lexus ES or the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 wins clearly, 84.4 to 76.4, on fuel & range. The Lexus ES is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Tesla Model 3 scores 84.4 and the 2025 Lexus ES 76.4. 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 Tesla Model 3?
2025 Lexus ES: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Tesla Model 3: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 3 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 Tesla Model 3?
Where the 2025 Tesla Model 3 wins: it is rated 137 combined against 44 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,500). Where the 2025 Lexus ES answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (5 against 124 filed with NHTSA) and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 85). What they share: 5 seats.