Lexus ES vs Polestar 2
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.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Lexus ES: we're still completing kerb weight, torque, 0-100km/h, ground clearance and turning circle, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$75,000RRP
- no option data for this car
$66,400RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Lexus ES & Polestar 2
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Price Breakdown
The Lexus ES starts from $75,000 before on-road costs, while the Polestar 2 opens at $66,400. That makes the Polestar 2 the more affordable entry point by $8,600.
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 $82,500 and $73,040 respectively.
The Polestar 2 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Lexus ES does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Lexus ES. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Lexus ES
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
- REC-005366 · published 31 Jul 2019Some brake booster pumps may be manufactured improperly, and may cause the brake assist function to stop operating while driving.Year range on the notice: 2019
Polestar 2
- REC-006363 · published 17 Jun 2025Due to a software issue, under certain driving conditions if the vehicle’s one-pedal drive function is activated it may lead to a loss of braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-006078 · published 25 Sep 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the front passenger seat mounting bolts may not have been tightened according to specifications and could become loose or detach.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005743 · published 2 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the left front suspension ball joint may have been incorrectly attached.Year range on the notice: 2022
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
82kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Lexus ES features a 14-inch touchscreen, while the Polestar 2 gets a 11.2-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus ES stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Lexus ES gets nulux (synthetic leather) upholstery while the Polestar 2 offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Lexus ES uses a Petrol producing 144kW, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.
The Polestar 2 responds with a Electric Motor making 220kW and 490Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.
The Polestar 2 has the clear power advantage at 220kW vs 144kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Lexus ES measures 5,145mm long on a 2,950mm wheelbase, 539mm longer than the Polestar 2 at 4,606mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 493L in the Lexus ES and 407L in the Polestar 2, giving the Lexus ES a 86L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m diameter
Average
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years (Lexus ES) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Polestar 2). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lexus ES if: You need more boot space, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Polestar 2 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Polestar 2: Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 73
The Polestar 2 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 73), taking 2 of 3 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: performance (Polestar 2 ahead by 32), safety (Polestar 2 ahead by 23), fuel economy (Lexus ES ahead by 19). If boot space matters, the Lexus ES has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Lexus ES and Polestar 2?
The Polestar 2 is the cheapest at $66,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $8,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus ES uses the least fuel at 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Polestar 2 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We hold no ANCAP data for Lexus ES, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 493L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Polestar 2 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Polestar 2 makes the most power at 220kW.
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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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