Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

© 1999 - 2026Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (Advanta-STAR). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. 9K9NF-SJ9DB 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2026/04/14

The Lexus ES has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The ES offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Lexus ES’ rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the ES and the Sonata Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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 around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Reliability

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 12th.

Engine

The ES 350e’s standard electric motor produces 29 more horsepower (221 vs. 192) than the Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 52 more horsepower (244 vs. 192) than the Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 500e’s standard electric motors produces 146 more horsepower (338 vs. 192) than the Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ES running on electricity gets better mileage than the Sonata Hybrid:

			MPGe
ES
	FWD	19" Wheels Electric Motor	135 city/118 hwy
		21" Wheels Electric Motor	129 city/112 hwy
	AWD	500e 19" Wheels Electric Motors	119 city/108 hwy
		500e 21" Wheels Electric Motors	118 city/105 hwy
Sonata Hybrid
			MPG
	FWD	Blue 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	47 city/56 hwy
		SEL/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	44 city/51 hwy

The ES can travel with zero emissions for 272 to 307 miles (dependent on model). The Sonata Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The ES has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sonata Hybrid (14.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The ES 350h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the ES’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Sonata Hybrid:

	ES	Sonata Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	11.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES has larger tires than the Sonata Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 205/65R16). The ES’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sonata Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 215/55R17).

The ES’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata Hybrid Blue’s standard 65 series tires. The ES’ optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata Hybrid Blue. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Sonata Hybrid (116.1 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Sonata Hybrid.

The ES’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.8% to 45.2%) than the Sonata Hybrid’s (60.9% to 39.1%). This gives the ES more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The ES uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The ES has 2.2 inches more front hip room and 5.9 inches more rear legroom than the Sonata Hybrid.

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

Cargo Capacity

The ES has a much larger trunk than the Sonata Hybrid (17.4 vs. 15.6 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 70% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Sonata Hybrid Limited, 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’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The ES’ standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The ES’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sonata Hybrid’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the ES Luxury has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Both the Lexus ES and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The ES features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Sonata Hybrid’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The ES has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Sonata Hybrid.

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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The ES has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Sonata Hybrid Limited.

Both the ES and the Sonata Hybrid 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 Sonata Hybrid.

Both the ES and the Sonata Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the ES has available rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Lexus ES has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Sonata Hybrid Limited.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus ES has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat for up to two separate devices. Only the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited offers wireless charging, and only charges one device.

See Available Inventory