Compare the2021 Lexus ES SeriesVS 2020 Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid

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

Safety

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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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES Series offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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

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

Both the ES Series and the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems 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 Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid:

	ES Series	Fusion Plug-In Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	120	143
Neck Injury Risk	24%	26%
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	38 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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus ES Series is safer than the Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid:

	ES Series	Fusion Plug-In Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Pick” in 2017.

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 Fusion Plug-In 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 Ford covers the Fusion Plug-In 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the ES Series has a standard 603-amp battery. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 43 points higher than the Fusion Plug-In 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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus 12th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th, 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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in reliability. Ford is ranked 16th.

Engine

The ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (215 vs. 195) than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 107 more horsepower (302 vs. 195) than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The ES Series’ standard fuel tank has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid (15.9 vs. 14 gallons).

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17).

The ES Series 350 F Sport’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES Series 350 F Sport has standard 19-inch wheels. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The ES Series has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES Series is .4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid.

Chassis

The Lexus ES Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 300 pounds less than the Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The ES Series has a much larger trunk than the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid (13.9 vs. 8.2 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES Series offers cargo security. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Servicing Ease

The ES Series uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid 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 Ford. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 70% lower rating, Ford is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

The ES Series offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the ES Series offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid 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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus ES Series offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Fusion Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 Fusion Plug-In Hybrid is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

The ES Series will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ES Series will retain 45.88% to 46.4% of its original price after five years, while the Fusion Plug-In Hybrid only retains 36.65%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES Series and the Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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