What is the difference between the Toyota Camry and the Lexus ES sedan series?

[fido_fido]

hi,

I was just curious and wondering what is the difference between the Toyota Camry and the Lexus ES series? and why is it more expensive? because i was told that the Lexus ES series has the Camry engine in it and basically the same car but the Lexus is fancier

Lets just assume that the Camry is fully loaded with as much options as possible with all the fancy things inside like leather, power group package, etc. which can be as fancy as the Lexus and the msrp is between $37,000 - $38,000 when i asked at the dealership, and the msrp of the Lexus ES is ~$42,000

thanks,
Chris

[Paolo]

The difference is instead of a T on the front of the car, you get a L and add about $4000 to $8000 ontop of the purchase price, thats about sums it up.

[ES_Revenge]

Though it's common knowledge that the ES is simply an upscaled Camry, the actual differences (and whether they are worth it or not) I can't really comment on because I'm not too sure about the specifics there...

However I would recommend taking a test drive of both, perhaps looking them up on the official sites, getting brochures etc. I'm sure with a minimal of research you'll find the real differences and then be able to decide if it's worth it for the ES or not.

For example, the Audi A3 and VW GTI are "the same car" as well; however to realise why the Audi costs more and bears the Audi badge all you really need to do is sit in both of them and you'll know quite quickly ;) Now if you don't notice any difference personally, the cheaper one is probably the better buy for you. Though in this example the A3 really is the better car, there's no point in spending the extra $$$ on one if you can't perceive or appreciate the differences, right?

[nadeemhasan]

The difference is instead of a T on the front of the car, you get a L and add about $4000 to $8000 ontop of the purchase price, thats about sums it up.

Exactly. If you want to go for a Lexus, you go for one of the other models that isn't based on a Toyota otherwise you are better off financially going for a Toyota.

[oldsnail]

TOyota/ Lexus has went thru great extent to make the ES350 not like a camry.

when you sit in an ES, it does not feel like a camry.
when you drive in an ES, it does not feel at all like a camry.

the engine response and noise is basically whispers in ones ears in an ES. when you walk in lexus lot, the ES blends really well in, and even though it is FWD, it plays very well against its competitors

eventhough, the mechanical and chasis components are similar.. the ES is quite a unique car..

alot of manufactures use same platform chasis through out the line up..

[ar_ken]

Exactly. If you want to go for a Lexus, you go for one of the other models that isn't based on a Toyota otherwise you are better off financially going for a Toyota.

By that logic, all of the Lexus models are based on a Toyota (overseas anyways).. but doesn't mean Lexus does not have its advantage or points to justify its price difference.

But as someone said above, if you went to test drive both cars and cannot feel the difference, then you should go for the cheaper one... the new Camry's are really nice already :)

[ar_ken]

alot of manufactures use same platform chasis through out the line up..

Correct..

For example..

Audi A3 = VW GTI
Audi A4 = VW Passat
Acura TL = Honda Accord
and the list goes on................

[ShadowVlican]

Correct..

For example..

Audi A3 = VW GTI
Audi A4 = VW Passat
Acura TL = Honda Accord
and the list goes on................
wow never knew that... they don't look alike at all! :lol:

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

There's platform sharing, and there's badge engineering. I think platform sharing is OK, people don't seem to have a problem with the 350z sharing a platform with the Infiniti FX, but the ES really is a rebadged Camry. They look very similar from the outside and you note that the ES is the only FWD in the Lexus lineup. It's the cheapest one too right?

[VivienM]

Exactly. If you want to go for a Lexus, you go for one of the other models that isn't based on a Toyota otherwise you are better off financially going for a Toyota.

Sit in the Lexus, then sit in the Camry.

One of them FEELS much more luxurious than the other.

Besides, how many people do you think know about the fact that they share a platform?

[VivienM]

But as someone said above, if you went to test drive both cars and cannot feel the difference, then you should go for the cheaper one... the new Camry's are really nice already :)

The difference is in the interior (most people feel the Camry is unusually cheap by Toyota standards on the inside, the ES is majorly upscale) and in the equipment list. A fully loaded Lexus ES (for about $54K MSRP) has a bunch of equipment that isn't offered in the Camry.

Oh, and the sheet metal for the Lexus is much nicer. The 06+ Camry is ugly...

[onecoolloser]

Correct..

For example..

Audi A3 = VW GTI
Audi A4 = VW Passat
Acura TL = Honda Accord
and the list goes on................

wow never knew that... they don't look alike at all! :lol:

Actually, Acura TSX = Honda Accord, and Acura CSX = Honda Civic.

Also, i'd say that the Lexus IS is more of a Camry than the ES.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

TL is based on the USDM Accord, the TSX is based on the European Accord. They sell both in Australia - an "Accord" and an "Accord Euro".

The Camry is much bigger than the IS, and FWD instead of RWD. They have nothing in common. The ES is identical to the Camry.

[onecoolloser]

The Camry is much bigger than the IS, and FWD instead of RWD. They have nothing in common. The ES is identical to the Camry.

I stand corrected.

[VivienM]

They have nothing in common. The ES is identical to the Camry.

Identical? Only under the hood..

Sheet metal's different. Interior's different.

Hell, engine tuning is different. The ES gets 4 more HP but requires premium gas... (lousy tradeoff IMO)

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

IIRC the Acura TL is made only in Marysville Ohio. It is actually exported back to Japan and sold as the Honda Inspire, while the TSX is made in Japan and sold in Japan, Europe and Australia as the Accord (or Accord Euro).



Identical? Only under the hood..

Sheet metal's different. Interior's different.

Hell, engine tuning is different. The ES gets 4 more HP but requires premium gas... (lousy tradeoff IMO)

Eh, they look pretty much identical to me. Tomayto tomahto I guess.

[notanexpert]

Another difference important to some but not so much to others is that the Lexus ES is built in Japan while the Toyota Camry (non-hybrid) is built in Kentucky.

[notanexpert]

IIRC the Acura TL is made only in Marysville Ohio. It is actually exported back to Japan and sold as the Honda Inspire, while the TSX is made in Japan and sold in Japan, Europe and Australia as the Accord (or Accord Euro).

I think Honda also builds the Euro Accord in the UK.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Not anymore, Civic and European CRV built in UK. TSX/Euro Accord is made in Japan.

[trex]

a lexus saleperson told me that the es350 is constructed of galvanized steel, while the camry is not. any truth to this?

[Jon Lai]

It's simple. They might have the same engine, same design, but different parts are used. Better wheels, better seats, better cupholders, you name it.

[fido_fido]

a lexus saleperson told me that the es350 is constructed of galvanized steel, while the camry is not. any truth to this?

Maybe Fiberglass but not 100% sure.... steel is to heavy. Fiberglass is pretty durable too is it?

[actng]

Correct..

For example..

Audi A3 = VW GTI
Audi A4 = VW Passat
Acura TL = Honda Accord
and the list goes on................

that is an incorrect statement as of the current generation of both of these cars.

the current passat is based off of a modified golf/jetta platform. the b6 passat shared the same chassis as the b6 A4... but the current generation of A4 is B7 and the passat is not.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Maybe Fiberglass but not 100% sure.... steel is to heavy. Fiberglass is pretty durable too is it?

I doubt it. There's only one car currently on the market that uses fiberglass body panels and that's the Corvette. Fiberglass is very difficult to produce to exact specifications in large numbers, and if you make large numbers you often get very inconsistent finish. The only other cars that used it were old Lotus sports cars, and maybe GM F-bodies too(?).

I don't think there's any truth to the "galvanized steel" thing either. AFAIK only Audi uses galvanized steel in all their panels and bodies. Audis have a ridiculous warranty on body rust, like 20 years or something, for that reason. Some of the old school Benz sedans from the 70s and 80s used a lot of galvanized panels (maybe not 100%, but a lot) too. I think the galvanized steel adds complications to the paint process, and most other makers don't think it's worth the trouble.

[m4gician]

TOyota/ Lexus has went thru great extent to make the ES350 not like a camry.

when you sit in an ES, it does not feel like a camry.
when you drive in an ES, it does not feel at all like a camry.

the engine response and noise is basically whispers in ones ears in an ES. when you walk in lexus lot, the ES blends really well in, and even though it is FWD, it plays very well against its competitors

eventhough, the mechanical and chasis components are similar.. the ES is quite a unique car..

alot of manufactures use same platform chasis through out the line up..

Hah, what lexus can do with the ES, Ford can never do with ANY of their cars, neither can GM.