Compare the2023 Chrysler 300VS 2022 Lexus ES

The 300 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The ES doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 300 and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors 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 Chrysler 300 is safer than the Lexus ES:

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Lexus ES:

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

There are almost 10 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 300 has a standard 730-amp battery. The ES’ 603-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the 300 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 300’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The ES’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 300’s reliability 23 points higher than the ES.

The 300 has more powerful engines than the ES:

As tested in Motor Trend the 300S 3.6 DOHC V6 is faster than the ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The ES doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 300 has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 300 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES’ standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The 300 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The ES doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the 300’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

The 300 V8/AWD’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the ES are solid, not vented.

The 300 stops much shorter than the ES:

For better traction, the 300’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (245/45R20 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 300 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The ES’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 300 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ES’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 300’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the ES (120 inches vs. 113 inches).

The 300’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the ES’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the 300 more stable handling and braking.

The 300S handles at .85 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 300S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (26.7 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 300’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the ES’ (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet). The 300’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the ES w/18-19” wheels’ (37.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 300 a Large car, while the ES is rated a Mid-size.

The 300 has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ES (106.3 vs. 99.9).

The 300 has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

The 300 has a much larger trunk than the ES (16.3 vs. 13.9 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 300’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The ES’ useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The 300’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The 300 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The ES has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the 300 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The ES doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the 300 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 300’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The ES’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 300 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The ES doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the 300 and the ES offer available heated front seats. The 300 S/Touring L also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES.

Insurance will cost less for the 300 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 300 will cost $610 less than the ES over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 300 is less expensive to operate than the ES because it costs $237 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 300 than the ES, including $44 less for a water pump, $315 less for a starter, $212 less for fuel injection, $43 less for a fuel pump, $778 less for a timing belt/chain and $189 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chrysler 300 will be $1295 to $4006 less than for the Lexus ES.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chrysler 300 and the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.