Compare the2025 Hyundai SonataVS 2025 Lexus ES

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sonata has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Braking costs extra on the ES.

Both the Sonata and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Hyundai Sonata is safer than the ES:

The Hyundai Sonata achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The ES last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

The Sonata comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The ES’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the ES. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the ES ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The Sonata’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the ES’ (7 vs. 6 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the ES (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonata’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.

The Sonata has more powerful engines than the ES:

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata gets better mileage than the ES:

Both the Sonata SE and the ES Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Sonata SEs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Sonata has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sonata offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The ES doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Sonata N Line’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The ES doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Sonata stops shorter than the ES:

For better traction, the Sonata N Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (245/40R19 vs. 235/45R18).

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sonata is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the ES.

For better maneuverability, the Sonata’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the ES’ (35.9 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Hyundai Sonata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Lexus ES.

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

The Sonata has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ES (104.4 vs. 99.9).

The Sonata has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 3.7 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

The Sonata has a much larger trunk than the ES (15.6 vs. 13.9 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Sonata’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the ES’ useful trunk space.

The Sonata’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 Sonata’s 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.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonata second among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The ES isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Hyundai Sonata outsold the Lexus ES by 16% during 2023.