2022 Lexus ES Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.
The Lexus ES is a upscale sedan that comes with a lot of benefits. It delivers a very pleasant driving experience, and it treats people to many high-end amenities. Lexus makes several trims of the ES, so much so that it might initially be difficult to narrow down the options.
This car comes with a few different powertrains. That's one of the main differences between the various trims. Other key differences are that some are offered with all-wheel drive, and there are different trims that offer varying levels of technology and sophistication.
All of the details will be discussed below to give consumers a better idea of what each trim will provide them with.
Compare the 250 AWD vs 350 Trims. What is the difference?
The 250 is exclusively available as an all-wheel drive model. This gives it a better ability to handle slippery roads and deal with the occasional off-the-pavement experience.
In contrast, the 350 doesn't have all-wheel drive. Instead, it has front-wheel drive. It does have a 3.5-liter V6 engine that can make 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This gives it quick acceleration; it can hit the 60-mph mark in about six and a half seconds.
Under the hood of the 250, there's a 2.5-liter engine with four cylinders. It's considerably less powerful than the V6 is, but it can still generate 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration from zero to 60 miles per hour takes about eight and a half seconds. When deciding between the two trims, a potential customer will have to think about whether the all-wheel drive or larger engine is more critical to have.
In terms of their exterior appearances, the 250 is no different than the 350. Both have 17-inch wheels, power moonroofs, and LEDs in their headlamps, taillamps, and daytime running lamps. They are available with 18-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlamps, and power-folding outside mirrors. The 350, but not the 250, can have its standard moonroof swapped out for a panorama glass roof.
It's the same story inside the cabin of these two trims. They offer the same exact features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, perforated NuLuxe upholstery, eight-inch touchscreens, ten-speaker sound systems, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Several high-tech upgrades, like wireless charging and navigation, are available on both. Likewise, the cabins of the 250 and 350 can be upgraded with ambient lighting and heated and ventilated front seats.
Compare the 350 vs 250 Luxury AWD. What is the difference?
Moving to the Luxury trim of the 250 model is associated with many enhancements, though it also means that that there's a decrease in horsepower and torque. The 250 Luxury, however, gets to have lateral performance dampers that can make a difference in the driving experience.
Some of the available features on the 350 become standard on the Lexus ES at the 250 Luxury level. This higher trim has rain-sensing wipers and wiper de-icers, power-folding outside mirrors, and 18-inch alloy wheels with a split-ten-spoke design and a two-tone black and machined finish. If someone wishes to change out those wheels, the other option is a set of 19-inch split-five-spoke alloy noise-reduction wheels.
Instead of NuLuxe upholstery, the 250 Luxury has quilted and perforated semi-aniline leather seats. They look refined, and up front, the seats are heated and ventilated. The driver's seat is power-adjustable in 14 ways and has a power cushion extender to provide extra support. It also has a memory system that works with the outside mirrors and the power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel column.
Rear-seat passengers in the ES 250 Luxury can use the power rear sunshade in case it gets too sunny and warm. The cabin's ambient lighting and wood trim make the seating area feel more luxurious. The steering wheel has wood and leather on it, and it has a heating element, too.
An added benefit of having the 250 Luxury is that it has wireless charging. Since many modern devices are compatible with this type of charging, cords don't have to get in the way of anything.
Further, the 250 Luxury has intuitive parking assist with auto braking. This can be key when maneuvering in tight spaces. Other than this, the 250 Luxury, like the lower trims, has a full set of driver-assist systems. They include blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, road sign assist, steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
Compare the 250 Luxury AWD vs 350 Luxury Trims. What is the difference?
There are few differences between the 250 Luxury and the 350 Luxury, but those changes are significant. As one might guess by now, the 350 Luxury uses the 3.5-liter V6 engine. This means that it's going to be faster and more powerful than the 250 Luxury, even though it won't have all-wheel drive.
Differences in fuel economy are slight. The 250 models can achieve 25 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway, and the 350s can earn an estimated 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
Like the 350, the 350 Luxury is available with a panorama glass roof. This is not an option on the 250 Luxury.
Compare the 350 Luxury vs 250 Ultra Luxury AWD. What is the difference?
The 250 Ultra Luxury level offers even more in convenience, style, and comfort. Take its trunk, for example. It's a power-operated trunk with a kick sensor underneath the rear bumper, so it can be opened up in a hands-free manner. The Ultra Luxury trim has the noise-reduction wheels that were previously mentioned as available at the Luxury level.
Whereas the 250 Luxury and 350 Luxury have power rear sunshades, the 250 Ultra Luxury has that same type of sunshade plus manual rear-door sunshades.
Bigger distinctions are seen in the technology systems of these two trims. The 250 Ultra Luxury has many attractive components, as it has navigation, a 12.3-inch touchscreen instead of an eight-inch one, and a 10.2-inch head-up display. The head-up display can show important information like upcoming turns, the speed limit, and any safety concerns. Navigation works with Lexus Enform Destination Assist and can provide up-to-date traffic data. The larger touchscreen comes along with dynamic voice commands to make it easier to interact with the system while driving.
The 250 Ultra Luxury has the same safety systems as the 350 Luxury does, but it has a few extras. Those are rear pedestrian detection and a panoramic view monitor. Both of these are available on the 350 Luxury.
Compare the 250 Ultra Luxury AWD vs 350 Ultra Luxury Trims. What is the difference?
The pattern continues when comparing the 250 Ultra Luxury AWD versus the 350 Ultra Luxury. A customer will have to consider whether the all-wheel drive is more important than the V6 engine and the available panorama glass roof of the 350 Ultra Luxury.
Compare the 350 Ultra Luxury AWD vs 250 F Sport AWD Trim. What is the difference?
The 250 F Sport AWD has a special F Sport suspension tuning system to improve its handling. To go along with this more athletic feel, the 250 F Sport has special stylistic details, a color-keyed rear spoiler, and 19-inch split-five-spoke alloy wheels. Those wheels have a gloss black finish and black lug nuts to look more aggressive.
With this trim, some of the luxurious elements are taken away. For example, the F Sport has a ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat instead of a 14-way power-adjustable version with leather upholstery. It goes back to having perforated NuLuxe upholstery, though it does have heated and ventilated front seats and a memory system.
It also doesn't have any sunshades, a heated steering wheel, navigation, or a head-up display. The touchscreen on the 250 F Sport measures eight inches, and this car does come with wireless charging. This trim doesn't have a panoramic view monitor or rear pedestrian detection, and parking assist is only optional rather than being standard.
Compare the 250 F Sport AWD vs 350 F Sport. What is the difference?
Both of these F Sport trims have power moonroofs, but they they don't have available panorama glass roofs. Only the 350 F Sport has the option to get a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel column.
Two available features exclusively available on the F Sport, as part of an add-on package, are adaptive variable suspension and drive mode select. They can give drivers more control over how their vehicles respond, and they can make things much more thrilling. Aside from this and the performance differences mentioned previously, the trims are very similar.
Compare the 350 F Sport vs 300h. What is the difference?
Lexus makes a hybrid version of the ES, and that's the 300h. The 300h uses a 2.5-liter engine and an electric motor, and it has a total horsepower of 215. This gives it a little more power than the 250 model but less power than the 350 models. Note that the 300h does not have lateral performance dampers. Suspension tuning is only offered on the F Sport models. The primary advantage of the hybrid is that it can achieve up to 44 miles per gallon.
When compared with the 350 F Sport, the 300h takes a few steps back as it relates to style, technology, and convenience. The 300h does not have standard rain-sensing wipers or power-folding outside mirrors, and it rides on 17-inch wheels instead of 19-inch ones.
The hybrid version doesn't have a memory system or heated and ventilated front seats, though these are optional. A heated steering wheel is optional as well. This feature actually isn't even available on the 350 F Sport or 250 F Sport.
The technology and safety packages on the 300h are pretty much the same as those of the 350 F Sport. An exception is that wireless charging is available but not standard on the 300h.
Compare the 300h vs 300h Luxury Trims. What is the difference?
Moving to the 300h Luxury is associated with having more advantages. Lateral performance dampers are standard at this level, as are rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch wheels, and power-folding outside mirrors. Keep in mind that a panorama glass roof is not an option on any of the hybrids.
The 300h does have quilted and perforated semi-aniline leather on its seats. This material is soft and sophisticated. Plus, its driver's seat can move in 14 ways. The cushion extender on the driver's seat is even power-adjustable, and the two front seats offer heating and ventilation. The power steering column is convenient to have, as are the power rear sunshade and heating element in the steering wheel. Wood trim and ambient lighting add refinement.
This trim has an eight-inch touchscreen, and it comes with wireless charging. It also has parking assist.
Compare the 300h Luxury vs 300h Ultra Luxury. What is the difference?
Like the other Ultra Luxury trims, the 300h Ultra Luxury is upgraded in key ways. It gets to have rear pedestrian detection, a 360-degree monitor, navigation, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a head-up display, noise-reducing wheels, and a hands-free trunk.
Compare the 300h Ultra Luxury vs 300h F Sport. What is the difference?
It should come as no surprise that the F Sport has performance suspension, 19-inch wheels, and special exterior details. The tradeoff is that it doesn't have navigation, the larger touchscreen, parking assist, a heated steering wheel, or leather seats.
Which Trim to Choose?
There is so much to think about with the ES. To figure out which trim might be best, a potential buyer should first consider performance and efficiency. Anyone who wants to lower his/her gas consumption should seriously consider one of the 300h models. These are pretty capable, but the 250 stands out because it has all-wheel drive and the 350 is a good option because it has the V6 engine. Still, given the direction that the industry is moving in, the hybrid powertrain is the model that's recommended.
After this, one will have to think about which exact trim to select. The F Sport is fun, but maybe not necessary for the average driver. The Ultra Luxury is elegant but pricey, and the base model is lacking a few things that can make it truly feel like an upscale vehicle. That leaves the Luxury trim as the one to get. It really gives drivers a treat with all that it offers.
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