Lexus ES trim comparison
2025 Lexus ES 250 F SPORT Design vs 350 Ultra Luxury
The ES 250 F SPORT Design starts at $46,725 while the 350 Ultra Luxury is $51,030. That $4,305 gap buys 8 meaningful differences.
This is a powertrain and drivetrain change. The 350 Ultra Luxury gets the 3.5L V6 and FWD, so the $4,305 is buying a different driving experience, not just nicer trim.
This is a real hardware fork, not just a trim-label shuffle. The 250 F SPORT Design is enough if the 2.5L I4 with AWD already fits your routine; the 350 Ultra Luxury only earns the jump when the 3.5L V6 and FWD setup is the point of the upgrade.
The cleanest way to feel this upgrade is through the payment: about $76/month more over 60 months, or roughly $4,560 extra all-in once interest is included. If that different powertrain is not part of your real use case, the cheaper trim keeps more money in your pocket without changing the core experience you need.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you are specifically shopping for the stronger powertrain, not just more trim content.
When both feel the same
The 250 F SPORT Design and 350 Ultra Luxury are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $4,305 for 7 measurable differences, which works out to about $615 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 8 specification differences, 0 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | 250 F SPORT Design | 350 Ultra Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $46,725 | $51,030 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.5L I4 | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 203 hp | 302 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 267 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 24 | 22 |
| Highway MPG | 33 | 32 |
| Combined MPG | 28 | 25 |
| Fuel Tank | 15.9 gal | 15.9 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $1,550/yr | $1,750/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,780 lbs | 3,690 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 113.0" | 113.0" |
| Length | 195.9" | 195.9" |
| Width | 73.4" | 73.4" |
| Height | 57.1" | 56.9" |
| Safety | ||
| NHTSA Overall | 5/5 stars | 5/5 stars |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
| Powertrain | 6yr/70k | 6yr/70k |
| Corrosion | 6yr/unlimited | 6yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 4yr/unlimited | 4yr/unlimited |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2025 Lexus ES 250 F SPORT Design vs 350 Ultra Luxury Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Lexus ES lineup, the Lexus brand hub, the Midsize Sedans, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2025 ES 350 Ultra Luxury cost than the 250 F SPORT Design?
The 350 Ultra Luxury starts at $51,030 compared to $46,725 for the 250 F SPORT Design. That is a $4,305 difference, or approximately $76/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Lexus ES 250 F SPORT Design and 350 Ultra Luxury have the same engine?
No. The 250 F SPORT Design uses a 2.5L I4 (203 hp, 184 lb-ft), while the 350 Ultra Luxury has the 3.5L V6 (302 hp, 267 lb-ft). That is 99 more horsepower. Both pair with the same 8-speed shiftable automatic.
Does the 2025 ES 250 F SPORT Design come with FWD?
No. The 250 F SPORT Design comes standard with AWD while the 350 Ultra Luxury has FWD. This affects traction, fuel economy, and curb weight.
Is the 2025 ES 250 F SPORT Design or 350 Ultra Luxury safer?
Both share the same Lexus ES platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.
What warranty does the 2025 Lexus ES come with?
All 2025 Lexus ES trims, including both the 250 F SPORT Design and 350 Ultra Luxury, come with Lexus's standard warranty: 4yr/50k bumper-to-bumper and 6yr/70k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2025 Lexus ES 350 Ultra Luxury worth $4,305 more than the 250 F SPORT Design?
The 350 Ultra Luxury changes both the engine and drivetrain for $4,305 more. That is a hardware upgrade, not just a feature bump.
Which 2025 Lexus ES trim gets better fuel economy, the 250 F SPORT Design or the 350 Ultra Luxury?
The 250 F SPORT Design is the more efficient of the two at 28 combined MPG, versus 25 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
Is the ES 350 Ultra Luxury Worth $4,305 More?
Spending $4,305 more on the ES 350 Ultra Luxury buys the 3.5L V6 engine (+99 hp) and FWD. These are the kind of differences you notice every time you drive.
The Differences You'll Notice Most
Engine changes between these trims: the 250 F SPORT Design has the 2.5L I4, the 350 Ultra Luxury the 3.5L V6. That means 99 more horsepower and 83 more lb-ft of torque. You will notice it most when merging, passing, or climbing at speed. In return, expect about 3 fewer combined MPG. The 350 Ultra Luxury drops to FWD from the 250 F SPORT Design's AWD. Less traction capability, but potentially better fuel economy.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The ES 250 F SPORT Design gets 3 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $180 per year or $900 over five years of ownership.
Bottom Line
The ES 350 Ultra Luxury costs $4,305 more than the 250 F SPORT Design (about $76/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 7 meaningful changes at $615 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Lexus ES 250 F SPORT Design
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the 250 F SPORT Design best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Lexus ES 350 Ultra Luxury
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the 350 Ultra Luxury when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Lexus or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.