The Lexus ES 250 goes up against Mercedes-Benz C300 priced at $41,400, the Audi A4 priced at $42,000, and the BMW 3 Series priced at $40,750.
Toyota engineered a Camry with an all-wheel drive, so carrying it over to the Lexus only makes sense. The 2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD is adding all-wheel power to the ES for the first time, and it will cost at least $45,100 (AWD Luxury), including destination charges. The ES250's powertrain is the same as seen in the all-wheel-drive versions of the Camry and Avalon. Its 2.5-liter inline-four engine makes 203 horsepower, and it comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The seventh-gen Lexus ES has silently become one of the industry's best, most comfortable all-around sedans. With several creature comforts and safety features on the inside, the 2021 Lexus ES 250 flaunts its luxury offering. It faces rivalry from competitors such as the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300, the 2021 Audi A4, and the 2021 BMW 3 Series
"Like the AWD versions of the Toyota Camry and Avalon, this ES variant is powered by a four-cylinder engine with 203 hp." - Car and Driver
The 2021 Lexus ES 250 is offered in three trims: Base, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury. The 2021 Lexus ES sedan will be available as an AWD for the first time in the sedan's 31-year history. It is powered by a 203-horsepower inline-4 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive system is best for all-weather grip, not off-roading.
Luxury trim is priced at $45,000, and it is equipped with loads of features like an 8-inch multimedia color display as standard. At the same time, the top model gets a 12.3-inch color display, the standard model receives a 10-speaker Pioneer Audio system, while the top model gets a 17-speaker PurePlay Premium audio system.
Trims |
Base |
Luxury |
Ultra Luxury |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$40,000 |
$45,000 |
$49,000 |
Key features |
Dual-Zone climate control |
8-inch multimedia color display |
Rain-sensing windshield wipers |
Interior Air Filter |
14-way power-adjustable driver's seat |
Heated and ventilated front seats |
|
14-way power-adjustable driver seat |
10 speaker pioneer audio system |
Power-folding outside mirrors & Power- tilt-& telescopic steering column |
|
Perforated-Nuxe leather trim |
Parking assist |
Lexus memory system for driver's seat, outside mirrors & steering wheel |
|
Power rear sunshade |
12.3-inch multimedia color display |
||
spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and intuitive |
Mark Levison 17-speaker 1,800-watt PurePlay Premium |
Well, as there isn’t much difference amongst the three trims except for some added features in top trim- Ultra Luxury. We recommend the Luxury trim. It offers everything that a standard luxury vehicle has to with features like an 8-inch color display system, dynamic voice command, perforated leather interior, and a wooden trim with ambient lighting. However, its engine is a disappointment compared to the competition. Otherwise, the car does justice to the $40,000 base price.
"Its 2.5-liter inline-four engine makes 203 horsepower and it comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. " - Car and Driver
The Lexus ES 250 AWD is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder offering 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive is standard, at a base MSRP of $40,000.
The Dynamic Torque-Control AWD can provide adequate traction for slippery weather while minimizing AWD’s typical drag on fuel economy. The system can direct up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels in response to acceleration from a start or slippage at the front wheels.
Models |
2021 Lexus ES 250 |
2021 Mercedes Benz C300 |
2021 Audi A4 |
2021 BMW 3 Series |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP | $40,000 | $41,600 | $39,100 | $41,250 |
Engine |
2.5-liter turbo inline-4 |
2.0-liter turbo inline-4 |
2.0-liter turbo inline-4 |
2.0-liter turbo inline-4 |
Drivetrain |
AWD |
RWD |
AWD |
RWD |
Transmission |
8-Speed automatic |
9-Speed automatic |
7-Speed automatic |
8-Speed automatic |
Power (hp@RPM) |
203hp@6,500 RPM |
255hp@5,800 RPM |
261hp@5,000 RPM |
255hp@5,000 RPM |
Torque (lb-ft@RPM) |
184Ib-ft@5,000 RPM |
273Ib-ft@1,800 RPM |
273Ib-ft@1,600 RPM |
295hp@1,500 RPM |
0-60 MPH |
8.6 sec |
5.7 sec |
5.2 sec |
5.6 sec |
Quarter mile |
14.6 sec |
14.1 sec |
14.4 sec |
14.4 sec |
Top Speed |
131 mph |
155 mph |
155 mph |
156 mph |
60-0 MPH |
110 ft |
124 ft |
N/A |
103 ft |
Lexus is the only car to offer a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 engine, whereas the rest offer a forced induction. Lexus and Audi come with AWD as standard. In terms of acceleration, the Lexus ES 250 clocks 0-60 mph in 8.6-sec and the Quarter mile in 14.6 sec with a top speed of 131 mph.
In terms of braking performance, the Lexus ES 250 in front gets a 12.0-inch ventilated disc and a rear 11.1-inch solid disc with four channels, four sensors Anti-lock braking system. It stops 60-0 mph at a distance of 110 ft. Where the Lexus does slightly better is in braking, but that is also overtaken by the BMW 3 Series, which stops in just 103 ft.
"Fuel economy soars in the Lexus ES hybrid; it’s average in other editions." - The Car Connection
When AWD isn’t needed, the electromagnetically controlled coupling on the rear-drive axle can disengage the propeller shaft to prioritize fuel efficiency, that's the advanced tech you get in the $40,000 Lexus ES 250. In terms of mileage, the 2021 Lexus ES 250 does just about 25 mpg in the city, on the highway, it does about 34 mpg and a combined 28 mpg. It offers a fuel tank of 15.9 gallons.
Models |
2021 Lexus ES 250 |
2021 Mercedes Benz C300 |
2021 Audi A4 |
2021 BMW 3 Series |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
25 |
23 |
25 |
26 |
MPG (highway) |
34 |
35 |
34 |
36 |
MPG (combined) |
28 |
28 |
28 |
30 |
Fuel Capacity (gallons) |
15.9 gallons |
17.4 gallons |
15.3 gallons |
15.6 gallons |
Rang (city/hwy/combined) |
350/509/413 miles |
418/609/487 miles |
352/520/413 miles |
406/562/468 miles |
Lexus ES 250 fails miserably in gas mileage against its competitors despite being an introvert in performance. Lexus does the least in the city as compared to the rest, and it is the same case on the highway too, where the Audi and the rest of the cars perform a class above the new Lexus does, that also with more power. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 scraps through the competition because of its massive fuel tank.
"Well-wrought and spacious, the Lexus ES exudes quality." - The Car Connetion
Lexus says the ES 250 AWD has the same legroom, trunk room, ride comfort, cabin quietness, and vehicle agility as any other Lexus ES. According to the available information, in the 2021 Lexus ES 250 cabin, you get a Perforated Nuluxe trim, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, 14-way power-adjustable driver seat with wood, and leather-trimmed steering wheel and ambient lighting across the doors, all in a budget of $40,000.
Lexus says there are no changes to the ES 250 AWD's chassis tuning, and claims that the packaging of the all-wheel-drive system does not affect interior dimensions or cargo space. When it comes to infotainment, the Lexus ES 250 comes with an 8-inch multimedia color display with Android Auto, Apple Carplay, and Amazon Alexa navigates through a remote touch interface pad. It also gets a 7-inch MID screen, integrated SiriusXM satellite radio, backup monitor, and a 10-speaker Pioneer audio system.
Models |
2021 Lexus ES 250 |
2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 |
2021 Audi A4 |
2021 BMW 3 Series |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front row (head/shoulder/leg) |
37.5/55.9/42.4 |
37.1/55.3/41.7 |
37.3/55.9/41.3 |
38.7/56.0/42.0 |
Rear row (head/shoulder/leg) |
37.8/54.3/39.2 |
37.1/55.0/35.2 |
37.4/54.5/35.7 |
37.6/54.6/35.2 |
All the cars offer a standard 5 seat capacity. It is the Mercedes-Benz C300, which provides the least amount of space, while the 2021 Audi A4 is the more spacious car here, and the Lexus ES 250 battles it out for second place against the BMW 3 Series. Further, Lexus’s connected services include Lexus Enform safety connect, Lexus Enform service connect, which offers Wi-Fi, 4G, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant compatibility. Lexus Navigation package includes Lexus Enform Dynamic Navigation, Lexus Enform Destination Assist, and the Dynamic voice command.
"Affordable luxury" tends to be an oxymoron, especially when referring to midsize luxury sedans." - Motortrend
On the exterior, the Lexus stands out for its unique design language at the front with its signature spindle grille. It is the same as the ES 350, although it sits quite lower than its older sibling. It also has longer 17-inch alloy wheels; it is quite a stylish car. The ES 250 gets LED DRLs with LED low beam and high beam headlights. It also gets a moonroof, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, shark fin antenna, 10 different colors, and Anti-chip paint on lower body panels, all worthy of the base price of $40,000.
The ES shares some of its structure with the Toyota Camry and the Toyota Avalon, but it has more styling cohesion than either of those plus far fancier inside. Think of it as a scaled-down version of the LS full-size luxury sedan. The exteriors of the three trims offered are pretty much the same.
Models |
2021 Lexus ES 250 |
2021 Mercedes Benz C300 |
2021 Audi A4 |
2021 BMW 3 Series |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight |
3780 lbs |
3472 lbs |
3417 lbs |
3589 lbs |
Length |
195.9” |
184.5” |
187.5” |
185.7” |
Width |
73.4” |
71.3” |
72.5” |
71.9” |
Height |
57.1” |
56.8” |
56.2” |
56.8” |
Ground clearance |
5.0” |
3.8” |
N/A |
5.7” |
Wheelbase |
113.0” |
111.8” |
111.0” |
112.2” |
The 2021 Lexus ES 250 is the heaviest amongst its rivals, weighing up to 3780 Ibs. It is also the longest of all the cars with a decent ground clearance of 5.0 inches compared to Mercedes-Benz 3.8 inches, and it has the longest wheelbase of 113.0 inches. The exterior dimensions are closely met by the 2021 BMW 3 Series, in terms of ground clearance, wheelbase, height, and weight.
"The ES received five stars in the side crash test, as well as four stars in the frontal crash and rollover tests." -
The 2020 ES 250 earned an overall safety rating of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not yet released crash test info for the 2020 Lexus ES. The 2021 model gets loads of safety features as standard like the Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Lane tracing assist with lane departure alert, and steering assist.
All-speed dynamic radar cruise control with frontal collision warning, automatic emergency brakes, and pedestrian detection also come in as standard. The other safety highlights are:
The Mercedes-Benz C300 is $1000 costlier than the Lexus ES 250. The vehicle offers a smaller engine than the Lexus but makes more power than the Lexus. Unlike the ES, it is quicker and offers more gas mileage with a bigger fuel tank of 17.4 gallons. Overall the Lexus was supposed to be an alternative to the likes of Mercedes-Benz. Lexus ES 250 may be a much better car in terms of safety features but lacks many other things that Mercedes-Benz capitalizes on.
The 2021 BMW 3 Series is the cheapest of the two priced at $40,750, it offers a 2.0-liter engine. Again more grunt than what Lexus offers, but it loses out the here- the BMW 3 Series. It is the most fuel-efficient vehicle amongst the two as well. Overall the Lexus ES 250 fails to impress. The ES is more luxurious overall, though budget-conscious shoppers may want to consider a nicely equipped BMW 3 series.
Lexus ES 250 is a true luxury sedan and gets the AWD setup for the first time. It has an ever-impressive warranty service, but the Lexus ES 250 misses on so many different things and doesn’t excite much. One of the significant issues is its lack of power with its naturally aspirated powertrain. However, in this segment, it is a stylish and unique-looking car offering premium luxury with loads of features.