2025 Lexus ES vs 2026 Hyundai Elantra N

$42,140 · Sedan

$35,100 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Lexus ES screams serene sophistication, offering smooth all-wheel drive dynamics and a comfortable ride, underpinned by an MSRP starting at $42,140 and delivering 28 combined MPG. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N explodes onto the scene as a thrilling, front-wheel-drive performance machine, boasting a commanding 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, all for a lower entry point of just $35,100. This comparison pits luxury composure against raw, driver-focused exhilaration. While the Lexus provides efficiency and AWD stability, the Elantra N delivers a massive 73 hp advantage and 105 more lb-ft of torque for $7,040 less. Even requiring premium fuel, the Elantra N's focus on aggressive performance makes it a true standout, contrasting sharply with the ES's stately 13.9 cu ft of cargo space versus the N's slightly larger 14.2 cu ft offering.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Lexus ES

The Lexus ES wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 28 MPG and the refined, all-wheel-drive architecture.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Lexus ES

The Lexus ES offers a more serene driving experience and slightly larger exterior dimensions (195.9 inches long) that often translate to better interior comfort.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Elantra N

The Hyundai Elantra N is the definitive choice for enthusiasts, offering 276 hp and a dedicated 6-speed manual transmission.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Elantra N

The Elantra N provides significantly more power (276 hp vs 203 hp) while costing $7,040 less than the Lexus ES.

Choose the Lexus ES if...

You prioritize fuel efficiency, achieving 33 MPG on the highway.
You desire the security and traction of all-wheel drive (AWD).
You prefer luxury refinement over outright acceleration, evidenced by the lower torque rating of 184 lb-ft.

Choose the Hyundai Elantra N if...

You demand high performance with 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque.
You insist on the tactile engagement of a 6-speed manual transmission.
Your budget demands a lower entry price of $35,100.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Lexus ES	Hyundai Elantra N
Length	195.9"	185.4"
Width	73.4"	71.9"
Height	57.1"	55.7"
Wheelbase	113.0"	107.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Integrated Headrests	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	203 hp @ 6500 rpm	276 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	289 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed manual
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Front Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/33 MPG	21/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	381.6/524.7 mi.	260.4/359.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Speakers	Pioneer	—
Speaker System	10	8
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	With Real Time Traffic
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bose
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Front Head Room	37.5 in.	40.6 in.
Front Leg Room	42.4 in.	42.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	56.5 in.
Front Hip Room	55.0 in.	53.4 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	37.8 in.	37.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.2 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.3 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.3 in.	50.5 in.
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.5 in	19 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	Performance
Tire Size	215/55R17	245/35R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—

Suspension

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Lexus	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 10000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus ES and 2026 Hyundai Elantra N.

How much more powerful is the Elantra N compared to the Lexus ES?

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra N possesses a substantial advantage, boasting 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. This significantly outperforms the 2025 Lexus ES, which offers 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.

Which sedan offers better fuel economy for daily driving?

The Lexus ES is the clear winner in efficiency, delivering 28 combined MPG on regular unleaded fuel. The Elantra N achieves only 24 combined MPG, partially due to requiring premium unleaded gasoline.

Is the Lexus ES a better choice if I commute in poor weather conditions?

Yes, the Lexus ES features all-wheel drive, making it inherently better suited for varied or poor weather compared to the front-wheel-drive setup of the Hyundai Elantra N.

What is the main financial trade-off between these two sedans?

The Hyundai Elantra N undercuts the Lexus ES on initial cost by $7,040, starting at $35,100. However, the Elantra N demands premium fuel, which may affect long-term running costs.

Do either of these vehicles prioritize manual control?

Absolutely; the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N comes equipped with a desirable 6-speed manual transmission, catering directly to driving enthusiasts. The Lexus ES utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic.

Are the two sedans drastically different in physical size?

The Lexus ES is noticeably longer and wider at 195.9 inches long and 73.4 inches wide. The Elantra N is more compact, measuring 185.4 inches in length and 71.9 inches in width, which can aid in nimbleness.