Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Toyota bZ

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

Both the ES and the bZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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 all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The ES comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The bZ’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the bZ. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the bZ ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The ES’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the bZ’s (6 vs. 5 years).

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

The ES has more powerful engines than the bZ:

The ES can travel longer on electricity, only, on a full charge than the bZ on a full charge:

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

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 bZ XLE’s standard 60 series tires. The ES’ optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the bZ Limited’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the bZ XLE. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the bZ Limited.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the bZ (116.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the bZ.

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

The ES has 2.4 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 5.4 inches more rear legroom and 9.1 inches more rear hip room than the bZ.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 42% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the bZ 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 Luxury/Premium+ has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The bZ doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 bZ 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 bZ 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 bZ doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

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

Both the ES and the bZ 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 bZ.

The Lexus ES outsold the Toyota bZ by almost three to one during 2025.