Toyota Corolla vs Lexus ES

Armed with a deserved reputation for reliability, equipped with modern infotainment and safety technologies, and engineered to be surreptitiously enjoyable to drive, there is a 2025 Corolla for almost anyone. You can choose between a sedan or a hatchback, a gas or a hybrid powertrain, and front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The performance-tuned GR Corolla is a legitimate hot hatch, while the Corolla Cross, a small crossover SUV, adds extra utility, but this review focuses on the Corolla sedan.

Verdict: The Toyota Corolla rightfully has a reputation for being boring. However, the current 12th-generation model is also more stylish, technologically advanced, and rewarding to drive than previous Corollas. The new-for-2025 Corolla FX sedan demonstrates that with exclusive design details and sport-tuned steering and suspension.

The midsize Lexus ES is fully redesigned for 2026, with a larger footprint, modern styling, and both hybrid and all-electric variants. Among the few remaining rivals, it's the sensible and affordable choice, with very few drawbacks.

Verdict: While the Lexus ES 350h may not be all that exciting to drive, it more than makes up for it with a glassy-smooth ride quality, a quiet cabin, and a starting price that undercuts its German rivals by a sizable margin. As good as the ES 350h hybrid may be, we suggest checking out the all-electric ES 350e as well.