Lexus ES vs Subaru WRX
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
$48,890RRP
- 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 & Subaru WRX
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Price Breakdown
The Lexus ES starts from $75,000 before on-road costs, while the Subaru WRX opens at $48,890. That makes the Subaru WRX the more affordable entry point by $26,110.
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 $53,779 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus ES by roughly $7,695 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Lexus ES. We hold no ANCAP data for the Subaru WRX. 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
Subaru WRX
- REC-005484 · published 11 Aug 2022The reverse lamps may not illuminate and the rear-view reverse camera may not display the rearwards image when reversing as intended.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2021
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Lexus ES features a 14-inch touchscreen, while the Subaru WRX gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus ES stands out with panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru WRX. The Subaru WRX counters with Harman Kardon audio. 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 Subaru WRX offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Lexus ES uses a Petrol producing 144kW, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout.
The Subaru WRX responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Subaru WRX has the clear power advantage at 202kW 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, 475mm longer than the Subaru WRX at 4,670mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus ES generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 493L in the Lexus ES and 414L in the Subaru WRX, giving the Lexus ES a 79L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m 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 9.8 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,283/year for the Lexus ES and $2,822/year for the Subaru WRX. That is a $1,539 annual difference in favour of the Lexus ES.
Warranty: 5 years (Lexus ES) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru WRX). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —5yr (Subaru WRX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lexus ES if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru WRX if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Lexus ES: Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 65, but the Subaru WRX is $26,110 cheaper
The Lexus ES comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (73 vs 65), taking 2 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Lexus ES ahead by 49), performance (Subaru WRX ahead by 27), practicality (Lexus ES ahead by 9). The Lexus ES will save you roughly $1,539 a year in fuel. 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 Subaru WRX?
The Subaru WRX is the cheapest at $48,890 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus ES by $26,110.
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?
We hold no ANCAP data for Lexus ES and Subaru WRX, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 493L with the seats up.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX makes the most power at 202kW.
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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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