Hyundai Sonata vs Lexus ES
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
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Price Breakdown
The Hyundai Sonata starts from $29,990 before on-road costs, while the Lexus ES opens at $65,540. That makes the Hyundai Sonata the more affordable entry point by $35,550.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $32,989 and $72,094 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus ES by roughly $4,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Lexus ES counters with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting that the Hyundai Sonata does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Sonata lines up producing 138kW and 241Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic to a FWD layout.
The Lexus ES responds with a Hybrid making 160kW and 221Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The Lexus ES has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 138kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Sonata measures 4,855mm long on a 2,805mm wheelbase, 120mm shorter than the Lexus ES at 4,975mm (2,870mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.9m to 11.6m
Based on 10.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,366/year for the Hyundai Sonata and $1,368/year for the Lexus ES. That is a $998 annual difference in favour of the Lexus ES.
Estimated annual total: $2,366 (Hyundai Sonata) vs $1,368 (Lexus ES). The Lexus ES saves you roughly $998 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years (Hyundai Sonata) vs 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus ES). The Hyundai Sonata has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus ES).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Hyundai Sonata if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus ES if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Hyundai Sonata and Lexus ES trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Lexus ES will save you roughly $998 a year in fuel. The Hyundai Sonata adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Sonata and Lexus ES?
The Hyundai Sonata is the cheapest at $29,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $35,550.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus ES uses the least fuel at 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Hyundai Sonata all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Sonata has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Hyundai Sonata has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus ES makes the most power at 160kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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