Lexus ES or Lexus IS: which sedan fits Danvers, MA drivers?
Choose the Lexus ES if you want more room for passengers and a hybrid option; choose the Lexus IS if you want a smaller sedan. Ira Lexus of Danvers sells both at 101 Andover St, Danvers, MA 01923.
Both are 2026 models, and every figure comes from Lexus’s published specifications or EPA certification records.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Danvers. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Choose the Lexus ES for space and the Lexus IS for a smaller sedan
The ES gives rear-seat passengers more room. Its rear legroom is 40.7 inches, against 32.2 inches in the IS, according to Lexus’s published 2026 specifications.
The IS is the smaller car, at 185.8 inches long. Its advantage is the driver’s seat, which offers 44.8 inches of legroom against 41.9 inches in the ES 350h Premium.
If you usually drive alone or with one passenger, and you want a tighter car, the IS fits that need. If you regularly carry adults in the back, or you want a hybrid, the ES is the better choice.
How much does a Lexus ES cost next to a Lexus IS?
The IS starts at $46,895 for the IS 350 F SPORT Design, the lowest starting price of the two. The ES starts at $48,895 for the ES 350e Premium, and the ES Hybrid starts at $51,095 for the ES 350h Premium.
Each trim has its own price. The IS 350 F SPORT Design AWD starts at $48,895, and the F SPORT AWD starts at $51,345. The ES 350h Premium AWD starts at $52,495.
Massachusetts adds sales tax to the purchase. The state taxes a vehicle bought from a registered dealer at 6.25% (Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2022). Pick the trim first, then add the tax to that price.
Which has more back-seat and trunk room, the Lexus ES or IS?
The ES has the bigger cargo area. It offers 13.3 cubic feet behind the second row on the ES 350h Premium, against 10.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo in the IS 350 F SPORT Design, according to Lexus’s published 2026 specifications.
Lexus measures the two cars differently. The ES figure is cargo behind the second row, and the IS figure is maximum cargo. The back seat is still the clearer gap, with 40.7 inches of legroom in the ES against 32.2 inches in the IS.
Up front, the IS has the edge, with 44.8 inches of legroom against 41.9 inches in the ES 350h Premium. A household that uses the back seat most days, or that hauls bags and gear, has the stronger case for the ES.
What engines and power do the Lexus ES and IS offer?
The IS has more power. The IS 350 makes 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, while the ES 350h hybrid makes 244 horsepower, according to Lexus’s published 2026 specifications.
EPA certification records list the ES 350h with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The IS 350 uses a 3.5-liter six-cylinder. Every ES 350h trim carries the same 244 horsepower, whether it is front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
If passing power and a firmer drive matter most, the IS suits you. If you want a hybrid, the ES 350h is the one in this pair.
What are the EPA mileage ratings for the Lexus ES and IS?
The ES 350h earns 46 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, against 22 mpg combined for the IS 350. The EPA calculates that combined figure by weighting city mileage at 55% and highway mileage at 45% (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026).
The ES 350h rates 48 mpg city and 44 mpg highway with front-wheel drive. The AWD version rates 47 mpg city and 42 mpg highway. The IS 350 rates 19 mpg city with both drive systems, and 27 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive and 26 mpg highway with AWD.
If most of your driving is in town, the city figures matter most. They are 48 mpg for the ES 350h and 19 mpg for the IS 350.
Which sedan has the figures you need, the Lexus ES or Lexus IS?
The ES leads on rear-seat room, cargo and fuel economy. The IS leads on power and front-seat room, and both carry the same basic warranty.
These are Lexus’s published 2026 specifications and EPA certification records.
| Measure | Lexus ES (2026) | Lexus IS (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest starting price | $48,895 (ES 350e Premium) | $46,895 (IS 350 F SPORT Design) |
| Horsepower | 244 (ES 350h, all trims) | 311 (IS 350) |
| Rear-seat legroom | 40.7 inches (ES 350h Premium) | 32.2 inches (IS 350 F SPORT Design) |
| Front-seat legroom | 41.9 inches (ES 350h Premium) | 44.8 inches (IS 350 F SPORT Design) |
| Cargo | 13.3 cubic feet behind row 2 (ES 350h Premium) | 10.8 cubic feet maximum (IS 350 F SPORT Design) |
| Combined EPA mpg | 46 (ES 350h, front-wheel drive); 44 (ES 350h AWD) | 22 (IS 350, rear-wheel drive and AWD) |
| Basic warranty | 48 months or 50,000 miles | 48 months or 50,000 miles |
Bring this list to Ira Lexus of Danvers when you visit, and start with the rows that matter most to your household.
Who should skip the Lexus ES, and who should skip the IS?
Skip the IS if the back seat decides it. Its 32.2 inches of rear legroom and 10.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo leave less room than the ES offers.
The ES fits a household that carries passengers in back, needs more cargo space or wants a hybrid. The IS fits a driver who puts front-seat room and engine output first. Both lines offer all-wheel drive, so the drive system does not separate them.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lexus ES available as a hybrid?
Yes. The ES 350h is the hybrid version of the ES, with 244 horsepower on every trim. It comes as Premium, Premium+ and their AWD versions, and the ES 350h Premium starts at $51,095. We sell new ES Hybrid inventory alongside the regular ES.
What warranty comes with a new Lexus ES or IS?
The basic warranty covers 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The corrosion warranty covers 72 months, regardless of mileage. Both the ES and the IS carry these same terms in Lexus’s 2026 specifications.
What lease and finance options does Ira Lexus of Danvers offer?
Ira Lexus of Danvers arranges Lexus leases, new Lexus financing and pre-owned car loans. We currently advertise ongoing Lexus lease offers and finance specials. Ask which lease or loan terms apply to the ES or IS you choose.
What does Lexus certified pre-owned coverage include on a used sedan?
Lexus’s L/Certified limited warranty starts when the Basic Warranty ends or on the purchase date, whichever comes later (Lexus L/Certified Warranty Supplement, 2025). The coverage runs until the earlier of two years or the owner’s transfer of the car, and mileage is unlimited.
What taxes and fees come on top of a Lexus sedan’s price in Massachusetts?
Sales tax is the largest one-time charge. A dealer’s document preparation fee counts as part of the sales price, so sales tax applies to it (Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Directive 14-1, 2014). A normal passenger registration costs $60 (Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, 2025), and a certificate of title costs $75, payable on top of sales tax (Mass.gov). Each year, the town where the car is garaged bills a motor vehicle excise of $25 per $1,000 of the car’s valuation (Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2025).
Why compare the Lexus ES and IS at Ira Lexus of Danvers?
Ira Lexus of Danvers is at 101 Andover St, Danvers, MA 01923, and it is part of Group 1 Automotive. We sell new Lexus ES, ES Hybrid and IS, so you can see both sedans in one place. Buyers here can choose a Lexus lease, new Lexus financing or a pre-owned car loan. Our used inventory includes other makes too.
Our Google record, as of October 2026, is 4.7 stars across 5,042 reviews, and 90 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026).
In an August 2026 5-star Google review, Cristania G. wrote: “Abraham was very attentive and helpful; I was very pleased with the service, thank you ☺️”
In a September 2026 5-star Google review, Janet M. wrote: “I would highly recommend Ira Lexus of Danvers! Their Service Department is outstanding. I have dealt with Ryan Jennings and I cannot say enough great things about Ryan! He takes the time to explain everything and he is always pleasant and knowledgeable. I have had a great experience at this dealership from the moment I purchased my Lexus, to now three years later! Thank you to the whole team!”
Start by choosing the trim that fits your passengers, cargo and budget. Then contact Ira Lexus of Danvers at 101 Andover St to see it. You can also explore the new Lexus inventory at Ira Lexus of Danvers.
Ira Lexus of Danvers answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Danvers showroom, or call (978) 739-8705.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Ira Lexus of Danvers for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
