Midsize luxury sedan comparison · 2026 models

Lexus ES vs Mercedes E-Class: Luxury and Comfort

The redesigned 2026 Lexus ES and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class approach luxury differently. The ES concentrates on a quiet cabin, efficiency and value. The E-Class concentrates on power, rear-wheel-drive dynamics and screen technology. This comparison focuses on what you'll notice from the driver's seat: noise, ride comfort, interior quality and cost.

Shop ES Inventory Which Is Quieter?
By the South Bay Lexus Product TeamUpdated September 29, 2026Specs: Lexus, Mercedes-Benz USA, Cars.com, KBB, Edmunds
Quick verdict

Is the Lexus ES as quiet as a Mercedes E-Class? In town, the ES can be quieter: the ES 350e and ES 500e are fully electric, so there's no engine to hear, and every E-Class has a gasoline engine. At highway speed, both are engineered for a quiet cabin, and we haven't found a published decibel test comparing the two directly, so drive them on the same road. The ES starts more than $14,000 lower. The E-Class is quicker and has more screen technology.

Best for who

Who Each Sedan Fits Best

Choose the Lexus ES if…

  • A quiet, relaxed cabin matters more to you than cornering speed.
  • You'd like to go electric (ES 350e or ES 500e) or get 46 mpg from a hybrid (ES 350h FWD).
  • You want long-term coverage: a 6 yr / 70,000 mi powertrain warranty, plus 10 yr / 150,000 mi on the EV battery.
  • You'd rather keep the $14,000-plus price gap than spend it on performance.

Choose the Mercedes E-Class if…

  • You want rear-wheel-drive balance and a strong engine. The E 450 makes 375 hp and reaches 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
  • You'd use a passenger-side screen (the optional MBUX Superscreen).
  • You care about resale at this size. The E-Class won KBB's 2026 luxury midsize car resale award.
  • The badge and heritage are part of why you're buying.
Noise levels

Which Is Quieter: the Lexus ES or the E-Class?

Cabin noise has three main sources: the engine, the tires on the road, and wind. Here's how each sedan deals with them.

Our standard: we haven't found a published, like-for-like decibel test of the redesigned 2026 ES and the current E-Class, so we won't quote one. Everything here comes from manufacturer engineering details and the powertrain facts.

Engine noise: the ES has the advantage

Two of the three 2026 ES models, the ES 350e and ES 500e, are battery-electric, so they have no engine noise at all. The ES 350h hybrid can run on electric power alone at low speeds. Every E-Class sold in the U.S. has a gasoline engine. The E 350 and E 450 pair theirs with mild-hybrid assistance. The AMG E 53 is a plug-in hybrid with about 44 miles of electric range, but it's also the loudest and most performance-focused E-Class. In stop-and-go South Bay traffic, the engine is the biggest noise difference between these cars.

Road and wind noise: both are built for it

For the redesigned ES, Lexus lists laminated side window glass to reduce noise, Active Noise Control through the audio system, sound-absorbing material in the intake, a larger muffler and a flexible exhaust coupler to cut vibration.1 The E-Class has a very low-drag body, which helps limit wind noise. At freeway speed, tire choice and the road surface affect noise as much as the car itself. Cars on larger wheels are usually louder in both brands.

Run your own quiet test

  1. Drive both on the same stretch of road. A section of the 405 with a concrete surface works well.
  2. Hold the same speed, around 65 mph, with windows closed, audio off and the climate fan on low.
  3. Use a free sound-meter app on your phone, held in the same spot in each car.
  4. Listen when you're stopped at a light, too. That's where an electric ES stands out most.

Book an ES test drive and tell us you'd like to try this. We'll plan a route that includes freeway driving.

ES 350 vs E-Class at a glance

Lexus ES vs Mercedes E-Class Comparison Table

2026 model year. Prices are starting MSRP including destination (ES $1,395, E-Class $1,250), before taxes, fees and options. Note: there is no gas-only ES 350 for 2026. The redesigned ES comes as the ES 350h hybrid and the ES 350e and ES 500e electric models.

Criteria2026 Lexus ES2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Starting priceES 350e $48,895ES 350h FWD $51,095ES 500e AWD $51,895E 350 RWD $65,150E 350 4MATIC $67,650E 450 4MATIC $73,550
PowertrainsHybrid (350h), battery-electric (350e, 500e)Turbo gas with mild hybrid (350, 450), plug-in hybrid (AMG E 53)
Horsepower221 hp (350e) to 338 hp (500e)255 hp (E 350) to 577 hp (AMG E 53)
0–60 mph (manufacturer)7.4 s (350e); 5.1 s (500e)6.1 s (E 350); 4.4 s (E 450)
EfficiencyES 350h: 46 mpg combined (FWD)ES 350e: up to 307 mi rangeE 350: about 27–28 mpg combinedE 450: 25 mpg combined
FuelGasoline (350h) or electricPremium required
Screens14 in touchscreen + 12.3 in driver display, standard14.4 in touchscreen + 12.3 in cluster; optional 12.3 in passenger screen (Superscreen)
Premium audio17-speaker, 1,800 W Mark Levinson PurePlay (Premium+ and Luxury)Burmester 4D, up to 21 speakers with Dolby Atmos (Pinnacle Trim)
Driver assistanceLexus Safety System+ 4.0 standard; Traffic Jam Assist standard on Premium+ and LuxuryCore systems standard; DISTRONIC adaptive cruise and Active Steering Assist in an optional package
Powertrain warranty6 yr / 70,000 mi; hybrid 8 yr / 100,000 mi; EV battery 10 yr / 150,000 mi4 yr / 50,000 mi
KBB 2026 Best Resale Value—Winner, luxury midsize car
 ▲ marks the stronger result. EPA figures for the E 350 differ between sources (KBB lists 27 mpg combined and Edmunds 28), so we show both. Sources: Lexus Newsroom, Cars.com, KBB, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book.123

Swipe the table to compare →

Beyond the spec sheet

Interior Quality, Comfort and Cost of Ownership

Cabin technology

E-Class

Both sedans come standard with a 14-inch-class touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display, so the base setups are close. The E-Class can add a separate passenger screen through its MBUX Superscreen option. The ES keeps its controls simpler, with fewer menus to go through and a strong list of standard driver-assistance features. The 2026 ES includes Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 on every model, while several E-Class assistance features are in an optional package.

Audio

Even

Each has a high-end system: a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson PurePlay setup in the ES Premium+ and Luxury, and Burmester 4D with up to 21 speakers and Dolby Atmos in the E-Class. Both are excellent, and which you prefer is a matter of taste. Bring a song you know well to the test drive.

Ride and driving feel

E-Class for engagement ES for ease

The E-Class is rear-wheel-drive-based and feels more planted and athletic when pushed. The ES is front-drive-based, or all-wheel drive in the ES 500e and ES 350h AWD, and tuned for a smooth, relaxed ride. For daily commuting and freeway driving, many shoppers find the ES easier to live with.

Cost of ownership

ES

The ES starts more than $14,000 below the E-Class. At the brand level, CarEdge estimates 10-year maintenance and repair at $7,110 for Lexus and $12,942 for Mercedes-Benz, and the previous-generation ES 350 was estimated at $5,925. Lexus ranked #1 in J.D. Power's 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study (151 problems per 100 vehicles), while Mercedes-Benz scored 235. The E-Class does hold its value well, winning KBB's 2026 resale award in its class. See the cost matrix.4

The redesigned ES is on our lot in hybrid and electric versions. See what's in stock.

View ES Inventory
Timing your purchase

What About the 2027 Models?

2027 Lexus ES: a carryover of the redesigned 2026 car, with prices up about $110. The ES 350e starts at $49,005 and the ES 350h at $51,200, including $1,395 delivery. 2027 models began reaching dealers in September.5

2027 Mercedes E-Class: Mercedes-Benz USA lists the E 350 4MATIC at $67,700, the E 450 4MATIC at $73,700 and the AMG E 53 at $91,100.6

Pricing reflects manufacturer publications as of September 2026. Confirm destination charges with each brand.

FAQ

Lexus ES vs E-Class Questions

Is there still an ES 350?

Not as a gas-only V6. The redesigned 2026 ES replaced the ES 250, ES 300h and ES 350 with the ES 350h hybrid and two battery-electric models, the ES 350e and ES 500e. If you're comparing an ES 350 to an E-Class, the ES 350h hybrid is the closest current equivalent.

Is the Lexus ES a luxury car like the E-Class?

Yes. Both are midsize luxury sedans. The ES puts its emphasis on comfort, quiet and efficiency, with standard features like a 14-inch touchscreen and Lexus Safety System+ 4.0. The E-Class puts more of its emphasis on performance and technology, and it costs more.

Is the ES more reliable than the E-Class?

The brand-level data favors Lexus. In J.D. Power's 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, Lexus ranked #1 at 151 problems per 100 vehicles and Mercedes-Benz scored 235. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus 3rd and Mercedes-Benz 19th for reliability. The redesigned ES is new for 2026, so model-specific long-term data is still building.

Which is more fuel-efficient?

The ES. The ES 350h FWD is rated at 46 mpg combined, and the ES 350e is fully electric with an estimated range of up to 307 miles. The E 350 is rated at about 27–28 mpg combined and requires premium fuel.

Next step

Hear the Difference on a Test Drive

Try the ES 350h and ES 500e back to back, then get pre-qualified in a few minutes before you visit.

Shop ES Inventory Apply for Financing

Sources

  1. Lexus Newsroom, "2026 Lexus ES 350h Hybrid Joins Battery-Electric ES 350e, ES 500e in Eighth-Generation ES Lineup." pressroom.lexus.com. Also "Five Things to Know About the Fully Redesigned 2026 Lexus ES." pressroom.lexus.com
  2. Cars.com, 2026 E-Class pricing. KBB, 2026 E-Class specs. Edmunds, 2026 E-Class features and specs.
  3. Kelley Blue Book, 2026 Best Resale Value Awards, March 19, 2026. prnewswire.com
  4. J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Consumer Reports 2026 Brand Report Card. CarEdge luxury maintenance rankings and ES 350 estimate, accessed September 2026.
  5. Kelley Blue Book, "Still Fresh: Lexus ES Holds Line on Pricing." kbb.com
  6. Mercedes-Benz USA, E-Class Sedan, accessed September 2026.
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