Compare the2021 Lexus ES SeriesVS 2021 Toyota Prius

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES Series have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota Prius doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The ES Series has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Prius doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The ES Series offers an optional Panoramic View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Prius only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

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

The Lexus ES Series weighs 470 to 770 pounds more than the Toyota Prius. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Prius:

	ES Series	Prius
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	120	244
Neck Injury Risk	24%	30%
Neck Stress	239 lbs.	344 lbs.
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	42 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	33%	53%
Neck Stress	159 lbs.	173 lbs.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus ES Series is safer than the Toyota Prius:

	ES Series	Prius
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES Series its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 35 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Prius last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

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 Prius’ 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 Prius. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Prius ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

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.

Engine

The ES Series AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 82 more horsepower (203 vs. 121) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 105) than the Prius’ 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (215 vs. 121) than the Prius’ 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 181 more horsepower (302 vs. 121) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 105) than the Prius’ 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Prius:

	ES Series	Prius
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	9.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	17.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.6 MPH	78 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The ES Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prius AWD-e’s standard fuel tank (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The ES Series’ standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prius FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 11.3 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the ES Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Prius:

	ES Series	Prius
Front Rotors	12 inches	10 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.2 inches

The ES Series stops shorter than the Prius:

	ES Series	Prius
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	149 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES Series has larger standard tires than the Prius (215/55R17 vs. 195/65R15). The ES Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Prius (235/45R18 vs. 215/45R17).

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 Prius L Eco/LE’s standard 65 series tires. The ES Series 350 F Sport’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Prius XLE FWD/Limited’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES Series has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Prius L Eco/LE. The ES Series 350 F Sport’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Prius XLE FWD/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

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 Prius’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES Series’ wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Prius (113 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES Series is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Prius.

The ES 300h executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Prius L Eco (28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

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 Prius doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The ES Series has 6.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Prius (99.9 vs. 93.1).

The ES Series has .1 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front hip room, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 5.8 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Prius.

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES Series offers cargo security. The Prius’ hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the ES Series. The Prius doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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 Prius doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The ES Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Prius uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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.

Ergonomics

The ES Series has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Prius doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 Prius 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 Prius doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The ES Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Prius’ parking brake has to released manually.

The power windows standard on both the ES Series and the Prius have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the ES Series is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Prius prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The ES Series’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Prius’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The ES Series’ headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Prius’ headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The ES Series has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Prius has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the XLE/Limited.

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 Prius doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

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 Prius’ 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 Prius offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the ES Series keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Prius doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The ES Series’ standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Prius doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the ES Series and the Prius 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 Prius doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the ES Series owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the ES Series with a number “1” insurance rate while the Prius is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ES Series is less expensive to operate than the Prius because typical repairs cost much less on the ES Series than the Prius, including $233 less for fuel injection and $26 less for a fuel pump.

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