Lexus ES vs Tesla Model S: Specs Compared
Also searched as Tesla Model S 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 124 mpg for the Tesla Model S, a 3 mpg advantage and costs about $0 less per year to fuel.
Across 3 measured categories, the Lexus ES leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lexus ES | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 127 mpg ✓ | 124 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 135 mpg ✓ | 132 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 118 mpg ✓ | 116 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $600 | $600 |
| 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 |
| Fuel types | Premium, Electricity, Regular | Electricity |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Large Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 40 | 62 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Lexus ES vs Tesla Model S dimensions and size
The Lexus ES is 6.7 inches longer than the Tesla Model S on a wheelbase 0.4 inches shorter, and 328.5 lbs lighter. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Lexus ES (2026) | Tesla Model S (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 202.4 in | 195.7 in | 6.7 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 75.6 in | 77.2 in | 1.6 in |
| Height | 61.4 in | 56.7 in | 4.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in | 116.5 in | 0.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4,641 lbs | 4,969 lbs | 329 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Lexus ES vs Tesla Model S: 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 $600 for the Tesla Model S. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 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 132 and 116 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 Tesla Model S with no. Across 40 recorded Lexus ES configurations and 62 for the Tesla Model S, 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 Tesla Model S with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-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 Large Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
ES vs Model S: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus ES or the Tesla Model S?
The Lexus ES is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 127 mpg combined versus 124 mpg for the Tesla Model S, a 3 mpg advantage and costs about $0 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Tesla Model S runs about $600 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $600 for the Lexus ES — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the ES and Model S offer?
Lexus ES: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, 2.5, 3.5. Tesla Model S: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Lexus ES as Midsize Cars and the Tesla Model S as Large Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More ES comparisons
More Model S comparisons
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