Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Tesla Model S

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES offers optional Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Model S doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The ES has standard Safety Connect®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the ES and the Model S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, rear parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

There are over 16 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the ES’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Tesla is ranked 9th.

On the EPA test cycle the ES running on electricity gets better mileage than the Model S:

The Lexus ES may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 550 pounds less than the Tesla Model S.

The ES has 2 inches more front hip room, 5.2 inches more rear legroom and 3.6 inches more rear hip room than the Model S.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the ES 350e Luxury’s available rear seats recline. The Model S’ rear seats don’t recline.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model S, the ES Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The ES Luxury/Premium+ has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model S doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The ES offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Model S doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model S doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The ES has standard front air conditioned seats and the ES 350e Luxury offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Model S doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the ES and the Model S offer available massaging front seats. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the Model S.

The ES is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Model S, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the ES offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Model S.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the ES equipped with available HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Model S, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Lexus ES empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The ES is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Model S doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Lexus ES outsold the Tesla Model S by over four to one during 2025.