Lexus ES vs Polestar 2: Specs Compared
Also searched as Polestar 2 vs Lexus ES specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Lexus ES is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 127 mpg combined versus 115 mpg for the Polestar 2, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Lexus ES leads in 4. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lexus ES | Polestar 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 127 mpg ✓ | 115 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 135 mpg ✓ | 124 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 118 mpg ✓ | 106 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $600 ✓ | $650 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 191 g/mi | Not available |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, 2.5, 3.5 | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (A1), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Electricity, Regular | Electricity |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2021–2025 |
| Configurations on record | 40 | 17 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Lexus ES vs Polestar 2: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Lexus ES burns about $600 of fuel annually against $650 for the Polestar 2. That $50 yearly gap compounds to roughly $250 over five years and $400 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Lexus ES leads in both cycles — 135 mpg city and 118 mpg highway against 124 and 106 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Lexus ES is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, 2.5), the Polestar 2 with no. Across 40 recorded Lexus ES configurations and 17 for the Polestar 2, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Lexus ES is offered with Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the Polestar 2 with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Midsize Cars and Midsize Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
ES vs 2: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus ES or the Polestar 2?
The Lexus ES is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 127 mpg combined versus 115 mpg for the Polestar 2, a 12 mpg advantage and costs about $50 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Lexus ES runs about $600 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $650 for the Polestar 2 — a difference of roughly $50 per year.
What engines do the ES and 2 offer?
Lexus ES: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, 2.5, 3.5. Polestar 2: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Lexus ES and the Polestar 2 as Midsize Cars, so they compete directly.
More ES comparisons
More 2 comparisons
Comparison id: lexus-es-vs-polestar-2