Compare the2025 Acura TLXVS 2025 Lexus ES

Both the TLX and the ES 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura TLX 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 Acura TLX is safer than the Lexus ES:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the TLX, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.5% less likely to roll over than the ES, which received a four-star rating.

There are over 11 percent more Acura dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the TLX’s warranty.

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

The TLX has more powerful engines than the ES:

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl. 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 TLX Type S’ fuel efficiency. The ES doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regardless of its engine, the TLX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the ES Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The TLX 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 TLX 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.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura TLX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the ES.

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

The TLX stops much shorter than the ES:

For better traction, the TLX has larger tires than the ES (255/35R20 vs. 215/55R17). The TLX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (255/35R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The TLX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ES’ standard 55 series tires. The TLX Type S’ tires have a lower 35 series profile than the ES F Sport’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TLX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ES. The TLX Type S’ 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the ES F Sport.

The TLX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The ES doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The TLX 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 track (width between the wheels) on the TLX is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the ES.

The TLX Type S handles at .97 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The TLX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.7 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (24.7 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

The TLX has .1 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear hip room and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the TLX’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 TLX’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 TLX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the ES.

The TLX’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.

Consumer Reports rated the TLX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the ES’ headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura TLX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the ES.

Insurance will cost less for the TLX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the TLX will cost $1195 less than the ES over a five-year period.

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