DecodedCars2021 Lexus ES
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 250 4dr Sedan AWD, 300h Hybrid 4dr Sedan, 350 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 176–301 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 44 combined · 43 city / 44 hwy
- Length
- 196.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,649–3,737 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 44 MPG combined — 61% better than the average 2021 midsize car (27.4 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Lexus ES is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 196 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,737 lb (250 4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 44 MPG combined (43 city / 44 highway), 61% better than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $1,500 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2021
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 ES →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Georgetown, Kentucky
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 ES configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 4dr Sedan AWD | 196.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.1 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,737 lb | 60/40 |
| 300h Hybrid 4dr Sedan | 196.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.1 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,704 lb | 59/41 |
| 350 4dr Sedan | 196.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.1 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,649 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300h Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 43 / 44 / 44 | +61% | $1,500 | 202 |
| ES 250 AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | +2% | $2,400 | 315 |
| ES 350 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 32 / 26 | -5% | $2,600 | 346 |
| ES 350 F Sport | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | -9% | $2,700 | 352 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Lexus ES.
Similar 2021 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lexus ES (this car) | 44 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2021 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A6 | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Dec 20, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V865000 · 999,901 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Not every 2021 Lexus ES is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Lexus ES buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 25 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Wheels — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 2 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Lexus ES. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other ES years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ES | 46 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2023 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 16 |
| 2020 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 24 |
| 2019 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 40 |
| 2018 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 15 |
| 2017 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 2016 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 37 |
| 2015 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 27 |
| 2014 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 39 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →