The Best Midsize Lexus Cars
Between the LS, IS, and ES, Lexus can fill the midsize sedan-shaped hole in your life.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Lexus is no stranger to top-notch sedans, and they’ve got three of them on the market. The LS is more spacious, the IS is the most athletic choice, and the ES combines the best of both worlds.
Midsize sedans may not be as popular as crossovers these days, but they still make up a large percentage of cars on the road—and Lexus makes that percentage a bit more distinguished.
To walk you through your midsize Lexus options, it’s
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broker app. We’ll go over all the details for the three cars, look at how they compare to the competition, and help you save money on your Lexus car insurance
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2022 Lexus LS
As the brand’s first model and star of the lineup, we had to start with the LS, even if it is slightly larger than midsize. It’s not the most thrilling luxury sedan you’ll ever drive, but the high-end interior and comfort more than make up for that.
Pricing
The 2022
Lexus LS
starts at $77,250 MSRP and tops out at over $113,000 for the L500h hybrid version—which is shockingly cheaper than most rival options. If you’re looking for a bit more punch, the F Sport trim makes the LS feel quicker than its larger body would suggest. Performance
Most folks don’t buy sedans for their power…but it definitely doesn’t hurt. The 2022 LS is equipped with a standard twin-turbo V6 engine capable of producing 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The LS500 takes just 4.9 seconds to reach 60 mph. This is plenty of performance for most, but certain rivals offer more capable engines.
The LS hybrid sports a 3.5-liter V6 spitting out 354 horsepower, though the eco-friendly sedan’s powertrain feels less refined than its gas-powered sibling. Its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) isn’t as smooth as the LS500’s 10-speed automatic transmission either.
The 2022 LS comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available—and it’s standard for the hybrid.
Fuel economy
All that performance comes at a cost. The standard rear-wheel drive LS only earns an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined—that breaks down to 18 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway. Even the LS500h hybrid only brings that up to 25 mpg combined.
Interior and tech
The crowning glory of the LS is the resplendent cabin, providing that signature deluxe experience Lexus does so well. The leather-cloaked interior feels spacious even for taller passengers, and amenities like standard heated front seats and push-button start ensure that you won’t want to leave your car.
The opulence doesn't stop there: the LS is set with tons of standard tech features on its 12.3-inch touch screen—like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a Wifi hotspot, and navigation. All the best driver assistance features from blind spot monitoring to road sign recognition are also standard on the 2022 LS thanks to the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5.
Safety and reliability
The 2022 LS hasn’t been tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS, which is pretty common for luxury vehicles. However, Lexus vehicles are considered to be some of the safest on the road.
Lexus is also known to be one of the most reliable brands, too—but the LS hasn’t been rated by any of the top reviews for reliability just yet.
Trim levels
You have three options to choose from for the 2022 LS: the base LS500, the LS500 F Sport, or the LS500h hybrid.
The standard model comes standard with tons of features and most extra options can be had by way of package upgrades rather than trim upgrades. Adding on the Luxury Package for $12,710, for instance, will add on 28-way power-adjustable seats with massage functions and power side-window sunshades—among other high-tech comfort features.
The F Sport trim adds a few extra touches, like heated rear seats, larger wheels, and a sport-tuned adaptive suspension, but the gear under the hood stays the same.
Competitors
The Lexus LS ranks somewhat in the middle for the 2022 super luxury car genre. Here’s how it stacks up against top rivals.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Lexus LS | $77,250 to $113,150 | 416-hp 3.5L twin-turbo V6 w/ 10-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 17-22 mpg city/27-29 mpg highway | N/A |
$115,550 to $125,050 | 429-hp 3.0L turbo inline-six w/ 9-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD | 16-21 mpg city/25-30 mpg highway | 74/100 (2020 model, J.D. Power) | |
$87,595 | 335-hp 3.0L turbo V6 w/ 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD | 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway | 1.5/5 (RepairPal) | |
$76,045 to $79,795 | 365-hp 3.3L twin-turbo V6 w/ 8-speed automatic transmission and either RWD or AWD | 16-17 mpg city/23-24 mpg highway | 91/100 (J.D. Power); 2/5 (Consumer Reports) | |
$87,795 to $158,795 | 320-hp 3.0L inline-six w/ 8-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 13-22 mpg city/20-29 highway | 83/100 (J.D. Power) |
2022 Lexus IS
If you’re looking for something a bit smaller and sportier than the LS, the IS fits the bill. As a luxury four-door small car, the IS is a solid option—though the 2022 model ranks in the middle compared to other rivals.
Pricing
Starting at $40,275 MSRP, the IS is one of the more affordable options in its class. Upgrading to the top F-Sport Performance Launch Edition will run you closer to $70,000, providing a decent range of options no matter what your budget looks like.
Performance
Lexus gives you three options for engines on the 2022 IS. The base
IS300 model
comes standard with a 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This gets bumped up to a 311-hp V6 for the IS350
. The F Sport Performance version amps the power up to 472-hp with its V8 engine getting the IS to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. All three engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. Fuel economy
Even for a compact sedan, the IS doesn’t have the world’s best fuel economy. The base IS300 earns an EPA-rated 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway—barely beating the massive LS for efficiency. Fuel economy dips to 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway when equipped with the V8 engine.
Interior and tech
The IS redeems itself when it comes to its posh interior. Push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and a rearview camera are all standard features along with an 8-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and Bluetooth.
Upgrades throughout the trims will unlock features like ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and navigation.
Safety and reliability
The 2022 Lexus IS is a safety rockstar, earning a perfect five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also gives it perfect scores across the board, naming the 2022 IS a Top Safety Pick+.
These ratings are thanks in part to the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite which comes standard on all trims. This suite provides all the essential driver assistance features:
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Forward collision warning
- Cyclist and pedestrian detection
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Road sign recognition
- Automatic high-beams
Lexus cars are known for their reliability, and the LS is no exception. J.D. Power gives the 2022 Lexus IS a predicted reliability score of 86/100 while RepairPal rates the reliability of the IS a 4/5.
Trim levels
The 2022 IS comes in five different trims: IS300, IS350 F Sport, IS500 F Sport Performance, IS500 F Sport Performance Premium, and IS500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition.
We’ve already covered the generous standard features included on the IS300. Moving up through the trims provides more performance-oriented features—as you may have guessed by the names. For example, the IS350 F Sport trim adds a rear spoiler and stiffer springs. The IS also comes with a handful of additional packages to maximize your experience.
Competitors
The Lexus IS may be a good choice for luxury compact cars, but the competition is pretty stiff in this category. Check out the table below to see how the IS compares to the top picks in its class.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Lexus IS | $40,275 to $68,550 | 241-hp turbo 2.0L 4-cylinder w/8-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 17-21 mpg city/25-31 mpg highway | 5 stars (NHSTA); Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 86/100 (J.D. Power); 4/5 (RepairPal) |
$38,870 to $53,545 | 252-hp 2.0L 4-cylinder w/ 8-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 17-21 mpg city/25-31 mpg highway | Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) (2021 model) | 84/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$43,295 to $57,845 | 255-hp 2.0L turbo four-cylinder w/ 8-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 23-25 mpg city/31-34 mpg highway | 5 stars (NHTSA); Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) (2022 model) | 79/100 (J.D. Power) | |
2023 Audi A5 Sportback | $45,195 to $57,345 | 201-hp 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder w/ 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD | 24 mpg city/31-33 mpg highway | 5 stars (NHTSA); Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 73/100 (J.D. Power); 3.5/5 (RepairPal) |
MORE: Are Lexus expensive to maintain?
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2023 Lexus ES
Last but not least is the mid-size luxury ES sedan—essentially a Toyota Camry with a dose of extravagance.
Pricing
The
2023 Lexus ES
starts at $42,490 MSRP, but with 13 different configurations to sort through, the price ranges up to $52,480 for the ES300h Ultra Luxury hybrid version. Performance
Like the IS, the ES comes with the choice between three powertrains. Gas-powered ES models come with either a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 302-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid ES powertrain makes 215 horsepower with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The four-cylinder engine (standard on the ES250) comes with all-wheel drive while the other two powertrains are equipped with front-wheel drive.
Fuel economy
The most efficient version of the 2023 ES is predictably the
ES300h hybrid
, providing 44 mpg combined, but the gas-powered models do pretty well, considering!The smallest gas-only engine—paired with its standard AWD—manages a combined 28 mpg, still beating the front-wheel drive V6 versions which average 22 mpg city and up to 32 mpg on the highway.
Interior and tech
As you’d expect, the cabin of the Lexus ES is sophisticated and comfy. Even the standard ES will have you riding in style with 10-way power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The ES also includes the same standard tech as the other cars, like Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a Wifi hotspot, and Bluetooth.
Safety and reliability
Thanks again to the standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, the 2023 ES earns a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA. The 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.
The 2023 model hasn’t yet been rated for reliability, but J.D. Power gave the 2022 ES a predicted reliability score of 84/100 while RepairPal gave it 4/5.
Trim levels
The 2023 ES comes in four different trims—base, F Sport, Luxury, or Ultra Luxury—each with the choice between the three different powertrains.
F Sport models focus on upgraded performance (or the appearance of performance) by adding on a distinctive front bumper and grille, a rear spoiler, and 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels. The Luxury trims boost cushion comfort and add a heated steering wheel, a power rear sunshade, wood trim, and ambient lighting. Stepping up to Ulta Luxury scores you noise-reducing 18-inch alloy wheels, extra driver assistance features, and cloud-based navigation with voice activation.
Competitors
For Lexus loyalists and luxury lovers on a budget, the ES makes a good case for itself. However, it isn’t the strongest competitor compared to the major players of its genre. Here’s how the 2023 ES stacks up against its rivals.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 Lexus ES | $42,490 to $52,480 | 203-hp 2.5L 4-cylinder w/ 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD | 22-25 mpg city/31-34 mpg highway; 43/44 mpg for hybrid | 5 stars (NHSTA); Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) (2022) | 84/100 (J.D. Power); 4/5 (RepairPal) |
$50,595 to $72,345 | 300-hp 2.5L turbo 4-cylinder w/ 8-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 16-22 mpg city/25-32 mpg highway | Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) (2022 model) | 86/100 (J.D. Power)(2022 model) | |
$56,000 to $73,950 | 255-hp 2.0L turbo four-cylinder w/ 9-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 20-23 mpg city/27-31 mpg highway | 5 stars (NHTSA); Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) (2021 model) | 78/100 (J.D. Power); 3.5/5 (RepairPal) | |
$56,995 to $70,595 | 261-hp 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder w/ 7-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD | 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway | 5 stars (NHTSA); Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS)(2022) | 63/100 (J.D. Power); 3.5/5 (RepairPal) |
MORE: Does Lexus have a self-driving car?
How to save on Lexus insurance
It’s no secret that luxury cars cost more across the board—and that goes for car insurance coverage, too. If you’re looking to save on your Lexus car insurance, look no further than Jerry.
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FAQ
Does Lexus have a midsize SUV?
The Lexus has three SUVs that hover around midsize territory! The Lexus UX is a subcompact crossover while the NX and RX are crossovers.
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