Lexus ES trim comparison
2025 Lexus ES 350 Luxury vs 250 Ultra Luxury
The ES 350 Luxury starts at $47,310 while the 250 Ultra Luxury is $51,030. That $3,720 gap buys 8 meaningful differences.
This is a powertrain and drivetrain change. The 250 Ultra Luxury gets the 2.5L I4 and AWD, so the $3,720 is buying a different driving experience, not just nicer trim.
Choose the 350 Luxury if the 3.5L V6 with FWD already covers the way you drive. Move to the 250 Ultra Luxury only when the 2.5L I4 and AWD combo is the reason you are shopping higher, because that is the real hardware split here.
Think about this as a monthly tradeoff, not just a sticker gap. The 250 Ultra Luxury adds about $66/month on a typical 60-month loan, or around $3,960 more overall with interest. The payment only makes sense if that different powertrain matters to the way you actually drive, tow, or live with the vehicle.
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
Both the 350 Luxury and 250 Ultra Luxury share the same 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $3,720 for 7 measurable differences, which works out to about $531 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 | 350 Luxury | 250 Ultra Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $47,310 | $51,030 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 2.5L I4 |
| Horsepower | 302 hp | 203 hp |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 22 | 24 |
| Highway MPG | 32 | 33 |
| Combined MPG | 25 | 28 |
| Fuel Tank | 15.9 gal | 15.9 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $1,750/yr | $1,550/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,690 lbs | 3,780 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 113.0" | 113.0" |
| Length | 195.9" | 195.9" |
| Width | 73.4" | 73.4" |
| Height | 56.9" | 57.1" |
| 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 350 Luxury vs 250 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 250 Ultra Luxury cost than the 350 Luxury?
The 250 Ultra Luxury starts at $51,030 compared to $47,310 for the 350 Luxury. That is a $3,720 difference, or approximately $66/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Lexus ES 350 Luxury and 250 Ultra Luxury have the same engine?
No. The 350 Luxury uses a 3.5L V6 (302 hp, 267 lb-ft), while the 250 Ultra Luxury has the 2.5L I4 (203 hp, 184 lb-ft). Both pair with the same 8-speed shiftable automatic.
Does the 2025 ES 350 Luxury come with AWD?
No. The 350 Luxury comes standard with FWD while the 250 Ultra Luxury has AWD. This affects traction, fuel economy, and curb weight.
Is the 2025 ES 350 Luxury or 250 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 350 Luxury and 250 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 250 Ultra Luxury worth $3,720 more than the 350 Luxury?
The 250 Ultra Luxury changes both the engine and drivetrain for $3,720 more. That is a hardware upgrade, not just a feature bump.
Which 2025 Lexus ES trim gets better fuel economy, the 350 Luxury or the 250 Ultra Luxury?
The 250 Ultra Luxury 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.
Breaking Down the $3,720 Gap
The 250 Ultra Luxury earns its premium. For $3,720 more, you get the 2.5L I4 engine (+-99 hp) and AWD, making this one of the more straightforward upgrade decisions in the ES lineup.
How the 350 Luxury and 250 Ultra Luxury Feel Different
Moving from the 350 Luxury to the 250 Ultra Luxury means a different engine entirely. That means -99 more horsepower and -83 more lb-ft of torque. The 250 Ultra Luxury has AWD while the 350 Luxury has FWD. This affects traction, weight, and fuel economy.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The ES 250 Ultra Luxury 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.
The Short Version
$3,720 more for the ES 250 Ultra Luxury gets you 7 real differences. At $66/month more, the question is whether those specific changes are things you will use regularly.
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 350 Luxury
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the 350 Luxury best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Lexus ES 250 Ultra Luxury
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the 250 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.