Finding the right sedan in 2025 often means choosing between comfort, efficiency, or everyday usability, but one Japanese model manages to deliver all three without compromise. It offers upscale refinement, intuitive tech, and a cabin that feels far more premium than its price suggests, making it a standout for drivers who want luxury without luxury-car headaches. What really sets it apart is its practicality. From excellent fuel economy to a spacious interior and a reputation for long-term dependability, this sedan is built for both daily commuting and long-haul comfort. It strikes the kind of balance many rivals promise but rarely deliver, giving buyers a smarter alternative to pricier midsize options. For shoppers who want premium features wrapped in a sensible package, this sedan hits the sweet spot. It’s proof that you don’t need to stretch your budget or sacrifice reliability to enjoy a genuinely refined driving experience in 2025. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. You can grab a new Lexus ES for a pretty affordable price Lexus has made it a habit over the years of offering top-notch levels of luxury and quality at a price that none of its competitors can match. The mid-size Lexus ES sedan carries on this trend, with a cabin that is loaded with high-end materials and a bevy of standard features at a price that the average person can actually afford. You do make some sacrifices, but they all feel well worth it when you look at the big picture. 2025 Lexus ES trims and pricing As you can see, there is a plethora of ES trims to choose from. There are three powertrains on offer, with the 250 powered by a four-cylinder, the 350 is powered by a V-6, and the 300h is a hybrid four-pot. Choosing which model appeals to you most comes down to personal preference, but you can be sure that every trim comes with an incredibly long list of standard equipment. You can’t really go wrong with any of the above trims, with all of them offering superb value for money. However, if it remains within your budget, we’d recommend springing for the Ultra Luxury trims. They are a lot more expensive than the base models, but they come loaded with plush features that really help the sedan live up to its core mission. It comes fitted with features like quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery, open pore wood trimming, and special 18-inch wheels designed specifically to be quite. If you’re willing to wait a bit, Lexus has announced that the 2026 model year of the ES will be the start of a new generation, with a fresh new look and some additional equipment. Warranties and maintenance Limited Warranty: Four years or 50, 000 miles Powertrain Warranty: Six years or 70, 000 miles Hybrid component warranty: Eight years or 100, 000 miles Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance: One year or 10, 000 miles Of all the luxury brands on the market, Lexus offers one of the most comprehensive warranty packages. Both the bumper-to-bumper plan and the powertrain warranty are above average. Only Genesis offers a better package, with a ten-year, 100, 000-mile powertrain warranty. Lexus also covers all hybrid components for a reasonable amount of time. The Japanese brand also throws in your first maintenance visit on the house. It’s not as sporty as its rivals, but it is smoother than anything else out there Most luxury automakers try to give their buyers the whole package, especially when it comes to sedans. They try to find the perfect mix of performance, practicality, and comfort, but they often have to make compromises. Lexus, however, focuses on practicality and comfort above all else, and the ES feels like a more focused car because of it. It may not beat its rivals in a drag race, but you’ll feel more comfortable from behind the wheel. 2025 Lexus ES performance specs As mentioned, the ES comes in three distinct flavors. The ES 250 and the ES 350 cost the same amount in most trims. The four-cylinder 250 comes standard with all-wheel drive, and is the only model with this option. Both the 350 and the 300h can only be had with front-wheel drive. The 350 is the quickest by far, delivering much more power than the other two models. What the 300h lacks in speed, it makes up for in efficiency. While the ES isn’t quite as sharp as some of its rivals, it is still plenty agile, regardless of which powertrain you opt for. F Sport Handling models hone things in even further with additional performance parts and a unique suspension tune, but it is still far from thrilling. The true appeal of the Japanese luxury sedan is its plush ride quality, with the ES able to absorb any imperfections in the road with ease, all while keeping practically all road noise out of the cabin. Fuel economy Another thing that you have to factor in when deciding which ES model you’re going to opt for is fuel efficiency. If you’re someone who likes to keep fuel spend low, then the hybrid ES 300h is a no-brainer. It is easily among the most efficient luxury hybrids on the market. The ES 250 and the ES 350, however, are both about average for the segment, with a number of models that deliver similar or better performance and higher fuel economy estimates. Lexus focuses on delivering a plush, well-built cabin in the ES sedan As we’ve mentioned, the main priority in the ES sedan is comfort, with everything else being secondary. With an easy-to-use layout and a ton of high-end materials, the ES feels like a car that is designed to be familiar and satisfying. It doesn’t try to redefine what the cabin of a luxury car should look like, and in a lot of ways, that is what makes it so comforting. Interior dimensions and comfort The ES is the perfect luxury family car, with enough room in both the front and the back for passengers to stretch out their legs on long journeys. For its segment, the ES also has one of the largest cargo areas, with enough space for plenty of groceries or a couple of bags for a weekend getaway. One misstep that we think is worth noting is that the rear seats don’t fold flat. The cabin of the ES is extremely unoffensive, with nice materials used throughout and a dashboard layout that is easy to understand and simply laid out without losing its premium angle. It comes loaded with features, even on the most affordable models, and the cabin is unfalteringly quiet, keeping the hustle and bustle of the world outside, where it belongs. Infotainment and technology The luxury segment of the market is becoming more and more defined by technology, with buyers seeking forward-thinking features that make life behind the wheel easier and more convenient. The ES delivers in every way. The most affordable models come with a crisp and responsive eight-inch infotainment screen, but a 12. 3-inch screen is also available. A digital gauge cluster is also standard kit and you can tack on a heads-up display on every model. Every model comes with wireless capability for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are also a number of USB-C ports and an available smartphone charging pad. Every model comes with a premium 10-speaker sound system and SiriusXM.
https://www.howtogeek.com/japanese-sedan-balances-luxury-and-practicality/
The most well-balanced Japanese luxury–practical sedan for 2025
