Compare the2021 Lexus ES SeriesVS 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The ES Series AWD has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The ES Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the ES Series and the Camry Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus ES Series is safer than the Toyota Camry Hybrid:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The ES Series comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camry Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES Series 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Camry Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Camry Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The ES Series’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Camry Hybrid’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the ES Series’ reliability 16 points higher than the Camry Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 12th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked second.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in reliability. Toyota is ranked third.

The ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (215 vs. 208) than the Camry Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 94 more horsepower (302 vs. 208) than the Camry Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the Toyota Camry Hybrid:

The ES Series’ standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry Hybrid (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The ES Series stops shorter than the Camry Hybrid:

For better traction, the ES Series has larger standard tires than the Camry Hybrid (215/55R17 vs. 205/65R16).

The ES Series’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Camry Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES Series has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Camry Hybrid.

The ES Series offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Camry Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The ES Series has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES Series’ wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the Camry Hybrid (113 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

The ES 300h handles at .78 G’s, while the Camry Hybrid LE pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The ES Series F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES Series has .3 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the Camry Hybrid.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES Series offers cargo security. The Camry Hybrid’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the ES Series’ power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 41% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 14th.

When three different drivers share the ES Series, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The ES Series’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The ES Series’ optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Camry Hybrid’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES Series and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Series Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The ES Series’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Camry Hybrid.

When the ES Series with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Camry Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The ES Series’ standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Camry Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the ES Series and the Camry Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the ES Series has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES Series and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.