Compare the2023 Lexus ESVS 2022 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
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES 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 its rear seat belts.

The Lexus ES has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Prius doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The ES 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 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.

The ES has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Prius LE/XLE/Limited offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the ES has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Prius LE/XLE/Limited offers rear cross-path warning.

Both the ES and the Prius have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus ES 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 is safer than the Toyota Prius:

	ES	Prius
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	120	229
Neck Injury Risk	24%	33%
Neck Stress	239 lbs.	323 lbs.
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	51 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus ES is safer than the Toyota Prius:

	ES	Prius
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	85	168
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Hip Force	264 lbs.	373 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	45 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	570 lbs.	781 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Prius last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2018.

Warranty

The ES 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 or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 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’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Prius’ (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The ES 250 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	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 can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The Prius has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

The ES 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’ 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’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Prius:

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

The ES stops shorter than the Prius:

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

The ES’ 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’ standard 65 series tires. The ES 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 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Prius. The ES F Sport’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Prius XLE FWD/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

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

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

The ES 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 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. 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’ 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 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 49% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

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

The power windows standard on both the ES and the Prius have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the ES 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’ 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’ headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Prius’ headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The ES 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 and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES 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 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’ 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 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’ 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 and the Prius offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the ES 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 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the ES 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 is less expensive to operate than the Prius because typical repairs cost much less on the ES than the Prius, including $233 less for fuel injection and $26 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

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

The Lexus ES outsold the Toyota Prius by 13% during 2022.

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