A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
ES
Maximum Power
441 kW
160 kW @ 5700 rpm
Maximum Torque
900 Nm @ 1700 rpm
221 Nm
Engine Size
6749 cc
2500 cc
Claimed Mileage
6.33 km/l
21.7 km/l
Ground Clearance
118 mm
158 mm
Boot / Load Bay
500 l
454 l
Airbags
8
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
Kerb Weight
2505 kg
1740 kg
Seating Capacity
-
-
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
7 years / 105,000km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Both Black Badge Ghost and ES are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Black Badge Ghost
+42 pts
Efficiency
ES
+56 pts
Safety
Black Badge Ghost
+5 pts
Practicality
Black Badge Ghost
+1 pts
Ownership
ES
+49 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Black Badge Ghost
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
🏆 Overall Winner
ES
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Black Badge Ghost
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
ES
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
ES
Model Introduced Year
2022
2021
Generation
Second-generation Black Badge Ghost in Series II form
Current seventh-generation Lexus ES executive sedan
Facelift History
The current-generation Black Badge Ghost debuted globally in 2021, was introduced in South Africa in 2022 and evolved into Black Badge Ghost Series II in October 2024
Current South African ES range; the next-generation local range has not yet received final derivative confirmation
Facelift Launched Since
2024
Current South African ES range; the next-generation local range has not yet received final derivative confirmation
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
Four-door performance-luxury saloon
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
published
Segment
Full-size performance super-luxury saloon
Executive sedan
Vehicle Type
Internal-combustion passenger car
Sedan
Tare Mass Kg
-
1740 kg
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
ES
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
FWD
Transfer Case
ATC 13 transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock (EDS); no mechanically lockable differential
-
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Gearbox
8-speed ZF automatic
ECVT
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
-
Number of Gears
8
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
8-speed ZF automatic
ECVT
Clutch Type
Torque converter
-
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
FWD
4WD Engagement
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Standard
Gearbox Type
8-speed ZF automatic
ECVT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
All-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
FWD
Transmission Speeds
8
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection via column stalk with Low button
Automatic
Front Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
ES
Claimed Mileage
6.33 km/l
21.7 km/l
City Mileage
5.10 km/l
-
Highway Mileage
8.08 km/l
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
50 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6e (B6e)
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Standard
Average Fuel Consumption
15.8 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
15.8 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
15.8 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
6.33 km/l
21.7 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Consumption
15.8 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
15.8 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
15.8 l/100km
4.6 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
90
50
Combined Driving Range
570-584 km (calculated from 90 L and 15.4-15.8 l/100 km WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
822 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
576 km
Not Applicable
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
ES
Airbags
8
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
ABS
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
Traction Control
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard,,
Hill Descent Control
Hill Descent Control
-
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Rear child-safety locks
Standard Rear door
ISOFIX Mounts
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Standard 2
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Vehicle immobiliser
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Front + Rear/ Buzzer
Front Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
AEB
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Standard
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Front Head Protection System
Standard
Driver Airbag
Driver airbag
Standard
EBD
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Vehicle immobiliser
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Hill Hold
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
ELR,Pretensioner,Force Limiter,Tension Reducer -
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Standard
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard,,
Knee Airbag
Active front knee protection
Standard
ABS EBD
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Front + Rear/ Buzzer
Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
Alarm System
-
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
ES
Cruise Control
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Rear View Camera
Rear View Camera
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
360 Degree Camera
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Driver Attention Alert System
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
Speed Limit Information
-
Auto Highbeam
High-Beam Assistance
Standard
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Rainsensing,Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Reverse Camera
Rear View Camera
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Park Assist
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
-
Around View Monitor
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Warning with Brake Function
Standard
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
ES
Seat Material
Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Semi-Aniline Leather
Heated Seats
Heated front seats; rear-seat heating available
Standard Front and Rear
Ventilated Seats
Front and rear seat cooling available
Standard Driver + Passenger
Ambient Lighting
Illuminated Fascia with Black Badge infinity motif
-
Steering Wheel Material
Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
3 Spoke/ Leather+Wood+Heated
60 40 Split Seat
No
- Power
Driver Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Performance
Black Badge Ghost +42
Efficiency
ES +56
Safety
Black Badge Ghost +5
Practicality
Black Badge Ghost +1
Ownership
ES +49
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
ES
Performance
58/100
Efficiency
85/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
62/100
Ownership
93/100
Black Badge Ghost
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
29/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
63/100
Ownership
44/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Lexus ES
wins with 77 pts
vs 71 pts for Black Badge Ghost
In structured scoring, ES emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Black Badge Ghost may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the ES edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Black Badge Ghost 29 vs ES 85. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Black Badge Ghost 99, ES 94. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Black Badge Ghost 44, ES 93. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Black Badge Ghost 63, ES 62. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Black Badge Ghost 100, ES 58. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The ES edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The ES scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Black Badge Ghost and ES in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Black Badge Ghost scores 100 vs 58.
Efficiency: Black Badge Ghost scores 29 vs 85.
Safety: Black Badge Ghost scores 99 vs 94.
Practicality: Black Badge Ghost scores 63 vs 62.
Ownership: Black Badge Ghost scores 44 vs 93.
Final structured scoring gives ES
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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