Pricing data from 2025 indicates that budget-conscious sedan buyers can still experience premium comfort without overspending. According to Edmunds, the 2024 Lexus ES lineup is priced between $42,040 and $52,330, serving as an entry point into luxury-brand ownership. However, the 2022 Toyota Avalon, the final model year in its lineup, shares many core features with the Lexus ES. The Avalon’s MSRP ranges from $24,590 to $38,990, as per Edmunds, offering a more affordable path to luxury without the premium price tag. Both cars also belong to brands that incur the least cost over time.
The $13,340 to $17,450 price difference between the Avalon and the Lexus ES translates to approximately 31.7% to 33.3% in savings, all while delivering many of the same core features. Both the 2024 Lexus ES and the 2022 Toyota Avalon are constructed on the TNGA-K platform, featuring a 113.0-inch (2,870 mm) wheelbase, and offering nearly identical legroom and cabin dimensions. They are equipped with a 3.5-liter Dynamic Force V6 engine; 302 horsepower in the Lexus and 301 in the Avalon, providing owners with matching traction and stability control systems for a confident, luxury-grade driving experience. In terms of safety, both have earned 5-star crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as reported by TrueCar.
Near-identical luxury experience
The 2022 Avalon with its V6 engine achieves about 25 miles per gallon (mpg) on average (22 in the city, 31 on the highway). Switching to the hybrid version, you’ll see around 43 MPG combined in the XLE Hybrid trim and up to 44 mpg in the higher XLE Hybrid model (43 city, 44 highway). The 2024 Lexus ES 250 AWD offers about 28 MPG combined (25 city, 34 highway), while the ES 300h hybrid matches the Avalon’s top rating with 44 MPG combined (43 city, 44 highway). In simple terms, the gas-only versions prioritize a comfortable ride, whereas the hybrids in both cars provide nearly identical savings at the pump, assuming you avoid driving mistakes that can increase fuel costs.
Under the hood, the Avalon features a choice of a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 301 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic, or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid paired with a CVT and electric motor for a combined 215 horsepower. The Lexus ES, however, offers three tuned engines; a 302-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 for the ES 350 with an eight-speed automatic (and paddle shifters), a 2.5-liter inline-four for the ES 250 AWD, or a 2.5-liter hybrid system with dual electric motors also producing 215 horsepower. It is evident that both brands employ advanced hybrid setups to deliver a smooth combination of power and fuel efficiency.
Long-term savings is the Avalon’s advantage
According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), owning the 2022 Toyota Avalon for five years costs approximately $51,123, while a 2024 Lexus ES 250 and ES 350 are priced at $66,461 and $62,853, respectively, for the same ownership period. This is over a $10,000 difference that can contribute to funding the rising cost of tires manufactured in the United States in 2025. Note that KBB’s 5-year cost to own data considers depreciation, expected fuel costs, insurance, maintenance, taxes, and fees.
In terms of unscheduled repairs and routine maintenance, RepairPal reports that the Avalon costs about $463 annually for repairs and routine upkeep, whereas the ES 350 runs about $468 per year. Over ten years, this amounts to roughly $4,630 for the Avalon and $4,680 for the Lexus, making their long-term repair costs nearly identical. Both earn a 4.0 out of 5 reliability rating, indicating no major differences in the frequency of required work or the size of the bills.
However, for labor costs during replacements, a front-brake job on the 2022 Avalon costs between $272 and $368, with replacement parts priced around $158 to $201. On a Lexus ES 350, the same service costs $318 to $406, and parts range from $197 to $229. For master-cylinder parts, expect to pay about $259 for the Avalon and $317 to $394 for the Lexus. In practical terms, this translates to approximately 20 to 30% lower component prices on the Toyota.
