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.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Recorded price context
Camry:
last listed from
ZAR 659,900
·
ES:
current from
ZAR 851,500
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Camry
ES
Maximum Power
160 kW @ 5700 rpm
160 kW @ 5700 rpm
Maximum Torque
221 Nm @ 3600 rpm
221 Nm
Engine Size
2487 cc
2500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
19.2 km/l
21.7 km/l
Ground Clearance
140 mm
158 mm
Boot / Load Bay
493 l
454 l
Airbags
9
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
Kerb Weight
1575 kg
1740 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Warranty
3
7 years / 105,000km
= leads in this spec
Archived vehicles remain available for comparison. Verified specs stay visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.
The Bottom Line
Camry and ES are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Camry
+1 pts
Efficiency
ES
+6 pts
Safety
Camry
+5 pts
Practicality
Camry
+4 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Camry
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Catalogue-index leader
ES
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Camry
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ES
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Camry
ES
Model Introduced Year
2019
2021
Facelift History
Latest generation with hybrid technology
Current South African ES range; the next-generation local range has not yet received final derivative confirmation
Tare Mass Kg
1575 kg
1740 kg
Generation
Not confirmed
Current seventh-generation Lexus ES executive sedan
Facelift Launched Since
Not confirmed
Current South African ES range; the next-generation local range has not yet received final derivative confirmation
Facelift Version Ending
Not confirmed
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
Not confirmed
Sedan
Model Year
Not confirmed
2026
Production Status
Not confirmed
published
Segment
Not confirmed
Executive sedan
Vehicle Type
Not confirmed
Sedan
Spec
Camry
ES
Length
4885 mm
4975 mm
Width
1840 mm
1865 mm
Height
1445 mm
1445 mm
Wheelbase
2825 mm
2870 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
158 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
50 l
Boot/Cargo Space
493 l
454 l
Kerb Weight
1575 kg
1740 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2055 kg
2150 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
5.9 m
Payload Capacity
Not confirmed
410 kg
Doors
Not confirmed
4 doors
Spec
Camry
ES
Front Track Width
1575 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1580 mm
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson - Strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Wishbone - Trailing
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric
-
Steering Column
Tilt and Telescopic
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson - Strut
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-Link
Wishbone - Trailing
Spec
Camry
ES
Engine
2.5L Hybrid Petrol-Electric
2.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Parallel Hybrid
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
2487 cc
2500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Officially Disclosed
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Dual Injection
Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Compression Ratio
14.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
160 kW @ 5700 rpm
160 kW @ 5700 rpm
Maximum Torque
221 Nm @ 3600 rpm
221 Nm
Combined Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
e-CVT
e-CVT
Top Speed
180 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.3 sec
8.9 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Camry
ES
Engine Position
Front Transverse
-
Gearbox
CVT Automatic (e-CVT)
ECVT
Drivetrain Layout
Front Wheel Drive
FWD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
-
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Standard
Transmission Type
CVT Automatic (e-CVT)
ECVT
Gearbox Type
CVT Automatic (e-CVT)
ECVT
Number of Gears
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Not confirmed
Automatic
Drivetrain
Not confirmed
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not confirmed
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Not confirmed
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Camry
ES
Claimed Mileage
19.2 km/l
21.7 km/l
City Mileage
16 km/l
17.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
21 km/l
25.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
50 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Fuel Tank Litres
60
50
Charging Port Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Camry
ES
Airbags
9
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard,,
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard Rear door
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard 2
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Alarm System
Standard
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Central Locking
Standard
-
Side Impact Beams
Standard
-
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard,,
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not confirmed
Front + Rear/ Buzzer
Front Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
AEB
Standard
Standard
BA
Not confirmed
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Not confirmed
Standard
Driver Airbag
Not confirmed
Standard
EBD
Not confirmed
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not confirmed
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Not confirmed
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not confirmed
ELR,Pretensioner,Force Limiter,Tension Reducer -
Seatbelt Reminder
Not confirmed
Front + Rear/ Buzzer
Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not confirmed
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Anti Theft Alarm
Not confirmed
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Spec
Camry
ES
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
-
Parking Sensors
Front and Rear
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Rear View Camera
Standard
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
-
Auto Wipers
Standard
Rainsensing,Standard
Around View Monitor
Standard
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Auto Highbeam
Not confirmed
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
ES
Performance
58/100
Efficiency
85/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
62/100
Camry
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
79/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
66/100
Ownership
43/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆Lexus ES
leads the catalogue index with 73 pts
vs 70 pts for Camry
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, ES leads. However, Camry may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. 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.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.
Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.
Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.
It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
This Camry and ES comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Camry 59 vs ES 58.
Efficiency index: Camry 79 vs ES 85.
Safety-equipment index: Camry 98 vs ES 93.
Practicality index: Camry 66 vs ES 62.
Ownership-cover index: Camry 43 vs ES not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
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