10 Lexus ES Competitors to Consider for 2019

2019 Lexus ES F Sport Rear Quarter Blue ・ Photo by Lexus

The 2019 Lexus ES is all-new with dramatic styling changes that bring it in line with the rest of the Lexus lineup. Priced from $39,600, the new ES is lower, longer, and wider for a sportier look, and it comes with two powertrains. There’s a choice of either a 3.5-liter V6 with 302 hp or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with a total of 215 hp.

This year also sees the addition of an F Sport model to the ES lineup. This adds performance-minded enhancements including a trunk lid spoiler, 19-inch wheels, and adaptive variable suspension. It’s a compelling choice, but there are plenty of comparable entry-level luxury sedans. Here are 10 Lexus ES competitors to consider for 2019.

2019 Acura TLX

The 2019 Acura TLX is a mid-range luxury sedan with a choice of two engines. There’s a four-cylinder with 206 hp paired to an 8-speed automatic or a V6 that jumps up to 290 hp. Although that’s slightly less horsepower than the ES, it comes paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission versus the 8-speed in the ES. This gives the TLX a more refined ride.

Front-wheel drive is standard, but the TLX does have the option for all-wheel drive with the V6 engine. This gives the TLX a significant edge over the ES, which is front-wheel drive only. Pricing for the 2019 Acura TLX starts at $33,300 giving it another advantage over the ES.

Photo by Acura

2019 Jaguar XF

The 2019 Jaguar XF sedan comes in five trims with a starting price of $49,965. Advantages start with a choice of three turbocharged engines, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel with 180 hp. Gas engine options include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 247 hp or a more powerful variant with 296 hp. The ES offers neither a diesel nor turbocharged engine.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, which is off-putting for those who live where the snow flies. The ES with front-wheel drive holds greater appeal, but the XF isn’t out of the race. It has the option for all-wheel drive across the lineup, making it a winter-worthy choice.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2019 Lincoln MKZ

The 2019 Lincoln MKZ is available in three trims, with each featuring a choice of either a gas or hybrid powertrain. Hybrid trims have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 188 combined system horsepower and front-wheel drive. This falls short of the 215-hp ES hybrid, but there’s a big price difference for that extra horsepower. The MKZ hybrid starts at $35,995, while the ES hybrid starts at $41,410.

While front-wheel drive is standard across the MKZ hybrid lineup, all-wheel drive is available with gas powertrains. This adds $2,000 to the price of models equipped with the base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Even with all-wheel drive, the MKZ comes in under the ES with a starting price of $37,995.

Photo by Lincoln

2019 Toyota Avalon

The 2019 Toyota Avalon is all-new this year with an updated design, more powerful engines, and new technologies, along with a choice of hybrid or gas powertrains. Pricing starts at $35,500 for models equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 engine with 301 hp. The ES gets one whole horsepower more and costs an extra $4,100.

The hybrid, with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder, has 200 net system horsepower. This puts it a bit behind the ES, which comes in at 215 hp. Once again, the big difference is pricing. The Avalon hybrid starts at only $36,500, while the ES hybrid starts at $41,410. You get 15 more horsepower with the ES, but it will cost you just under $5,000 extra.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Volvo S60

The 2019 Volvo S60 is all-new, marking the third generation of this luxury sedan. Starting price for the base model is $42,900, with power coming from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. There’s also a hybrid S60 available in two trims with a starting price of $55,400. Pricing is higher for the S60 and horsepower is lower.

What you get for that price is a more elegant interior with higher quality trims, more comfortable seating, and a more luxurious look and feel. The S60 also offers all-wheel drive as an option on gas models, and as a standard feature on hybrid trims. In contrast, the ES is front-wheel drive only.

Photo by Vovlo

2019 Audi A6

The 2019 Audi A6 is another all-new model that debuts new technologies, improved driving dynamics, and an updated infotainment system. Available in three trims, the starting price is $58,900 for the base Premium. This includes a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The downside to the A6 is its price, but it gets a more responsive engine with higher horsepower and torque numbers.

It also has all-wheel drive as a standard feature, and a unique infotainment system with dual center display screens and a 10-speaker audio system. The A6 offers both a more powerful, more responsive drive, and a more modern infotainment system than the ES.

Photo by Audi

2019 Genesis G80

The 2019 Genesis G80 is a relative newcomer, entering its third model year with a starting price of $42,050. This mid-size sedan is available in three trims, each with a different engine. The base model has a 3.8-liter V6 with 311 hp, while the mid-range trim has a twin turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 with 365 hp. The top trim has a 5.0-liter V8 that boasts 420 hp. While base models of the ES and G80 offer comparable horsepower, the midrange and top trims of the G80 far outperform the ES.

The G80 comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but with the option for all-wheel drive. The ES has only front-wheel drive, which is limiting for those in northern climes.

Photo by Genesis

2019 Infiniti Q50

The 2019 Infiniti Q50 is available in four trims, starting with the base 2.0t Pure at $35,550. Power for this trim comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 208 hp. Mid-range trims get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 300 hp, while the top Red Sport 400 gets the same V6 with a bump to 400 hp. Base models are comparable in both price and horsepower, but the Q50 offers more powerful engine options than the ES.

Once again, the lack of all-wheel drive is a negative mark for the ES. The Infiniti Q50 comes standard with rear-wheel drive, with the option for all-wheel drive on every trim.

Photo by Infiniti

2019 Kia Stinger

The 2019 Kia Stinger offers the affordability of Kia in a sporty and well-equipped sedan. It might seem an odd choice in the company of Lexus, but this isn’t your typical Kia. Pricing starts at $32,900 for the base Stinger, which features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255 hp. That’s a more affordable starting price than the base ES, but it comes with a significant horsepower sacrifice.

Step up to the GT trims and you get a 3.3-liter V6 with 365 hp, and now the Stinger comes out ahead of the ES on the performance front. Even better, it comes out ahead on price starting at only $39,100. That’s more horsepower than the ES for less money.

Photo by Kia

2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia is a sporty alternative to the Lexus ES. It’s available in three trims, starting with the base Giulia at $38,195. This is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque. This is slightly less horsepower at a slightly lower starting price than the ES. It also offers the option for all-wheel drive.

At the top of the lineup is the Giulia Quadrifoglio at $73,700. This huge price jump comes with a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with an impressive 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. This is a true performance sedan with the added lure of being unique, rather than something you see all the time.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles