Cheapest Lexus Hybrid Sedan Vs. Priciest Camry: How Should You Spend Your $45k?

The Lexus ES and Toyota Camry have long been two sides of the same parent-company coin - the former aimed at the luxury market, the latter a mainstream segment success story. As of 2025, the all-new Camry comes strictly with a hybrid powertrain, while the 2025 Lexus ES hybrid sedan remains an optional upgrade.

• 2024 Lexus ES Hybrid Front View

  2025 Lexus ES 300h FWD

  MSRP  $43,440

  Engine  2.5L I4 Hybrid

  Drivetrain  Front-Wheel Drive

  Horsepower  176 HP @5700 RPM

  Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)  43/44/44 MPG

  Trunk Volume  13.9 cu.ft.

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  2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD

  MSRP  $36,125

  Engine  2.5L Dynamic Force I4 Hybrid

  Drivetrain  All-Wheel Drive

  Horsepower  184 HP @6000 RPM

  Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)  44/43/44 MPG

  Trunk Volume  15.1 cu.ft.

Given the shared platform, overlap between the latest Camry and the Lexus hybrid sedan models is no surprise, particularly at the $45,000 price point. For that outlay, you can get into a loaded Camry XSE with all-wheel drive and a few upgrades or a base 2025 ES 300h, the entry point into the Lexus hybrid sedan lineup. While logic dictates that any Lexus should be better than an equivalent Toyota, it's not quite as clear-cut as that, such is the ability of the all-new Camry. Let's see which one is the better choice at around the $45k mark.

2025 Lexus ES Silver Front Angle Driving

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Design: The Sedan As Elegant Or Athletic

2025 Lexus EX 14

The Lexus ES hybrid sedans are perhaps most notable from a design perspective for their "spindle" front grille versus the perforated nose cone on the new Camry. But it's more than the front end that differentiates these corporate cousins.

A decidedly elegant vibe permeates the flowing ES lines versus the more creased look of the Camry, a theme accentuated by the available two-tone paint and 19-inch wheels on XSE models. Full exterior LED lighting is common between the two, but each has its own signature design.

To further drive the point home that the Camry is no longer a boring commuter car, it comes with a gloss black rear spoiler and front canards versus the monochromatic and more subdued Lexus ES 300h aesthetic.

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Interior: Similarly Sized, Differently Equipped

2025 Lexus ES 5

As the base Lexus sedan hybrid variant, the 2025 ES 300h may seem a bit sparsely outfitted compared to its ritzier Lexus peers. Standard content includes a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux leather upholstery, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats. But heated seats require a package or higher-level trim. As for cabin space, the Lexus and Toyota are within a whisker of each other across the board even though the ES 300h has an extra three inches between the wheels.

Interior Dimensions

Over at Toyota, spending around $45,000 on the top-tier XSE with all the extras results in a high level of amenities. Highlights include heated front seats, leather in your choice of black or Cockpit Red, a heated steering wheel, and - with the Premium Plus package - a panoramic moonroof.

2025 Lexus ES 350 3/4 front view

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Performance: Nothing But Hybrids

2025 Lexus EX 10

These two sedans share a Toyota 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder powertrain that makes 232 horsepower in the AWD Camry and 215 hp in the ES. A CVT is also common, but $45,000 nets you a Camry with AWD versus front-wheel drive (FWD) in the Lexus (AWD is available).

Fuel efficiency is virtually identical at 43/44/44 mpg in city/highway/combined driving for the Lexus ES 300h and 44/43/44 mpg, respectively, for the Camry XSE. The Camry also comes with sport-tuned dampers and 19-inch wheels versus the 17 inchers and suspension set up for comfort on the Lexus.

At this price point, the Camry's extra power and standard AWD are hard to argue with. It's a similar story for the driving experience. While we wouldn't say the Camry outclasses the ES in terms of refinement and smoothness, it's closer than ever before.

Pricing: $45,000 Buys A Lot Of Camry

2025 Lexus ES 4

If technology is your thing, know that a $45,000 Camry has a comparably priced ES 300h beat on this front. The Lexus comes with an eight-inch central touchscreen versus a 12.3-inch interface on the Toyota, though both feature wireless smartphone integration. With the Premium Plus package, the Camry also boasts a nine-speaker audio system from JBL, a head-up display, a surround-view monitor, and a driver attention monitor. The following features are equipped to a fully loaded and optioned Camry, but are missing or cost extra on the base ES Hybrid:

• Ventilated front seats
• Genuine leather upholstery
• Heated steering wheel
• Head-up display
• Wireless phone charging
• 12.3-inch touchscreen display (eight-inch touchscreen on ES)
• Surround-view monitor

As you can see, a fully optioned Camry offers many more features than an ES Hybrid at the same price. The Lexus has some advantages, such as 10 airbags to the Camry's eight, but the spec sheet doesn't lie - the Toyota simply offers more value.

The hit list of features found in the Camry but not the ES 300h continues with traffic jam assist, and front cross-traffic alert. On the advanced driver-assistance note, be aware that these two sedans offer nearly identical systems from forward collision mitigation with pedestrian alert to full-speed adaptive cruise control.

As for safety, both models have recently earned five-star overall crash test ratings from the NHTSA. The 2023 Lexus ES received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, while the 2025 Camry one-upped it with a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Summary: Camry Rhymes With Value

2025 Lexus ES

If brand cachet is an important consideration when buying a car, it could be argued that the Lexus ES 300h is worth purchasing instead of a Camry XSE AWD. As well, styling, though subjective, is arguably in favor of the Lexus with its cleaner lines versus the more aggressive nature Toyota has imbued the Camry with. All that said, if you have $45,000 to spend on a new Camry or a new ES, the objectively better choice is the Camry.

The XSE trim line starts at $34,090 for a FWD version with the standard hybrid powertrain. Tack on AWD ($1,525), sporty two-tone paint ($925), the Premium Plus package ($4,075), and some dark gray 19-inch wheels ($1,500) for an out-the-door price of $42,925. Lexus starts the ES 300h with FWD at $43,440 or exactly $515 more than the fully-loaded 2025 Camry.

As we've looked at, that extra outlay results in a lower level of creature comfort and technology. Granted, you can spend more to bring the Lexus level of content up to par with the Camry XSE. But considering how solid the Toyota is all around, why bother?

Sources: Toyota, Lexus