They took an LS to the photocopier and shrunk it. Slightly.
Japanese luxury automaker Lexus has pulled the wraps off of the 7th-generation ES saloon, its mid-size executive contender that will rival cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. And from the get-go, we can say for certain that fans of extroverted, expressive design will love the ES, because it makes the competition look like they’ve been asleep on the job.
Where Lexus has previously tried to ape the competition, the company has recently decided to embrace its Japanese-ness wholeheartedly, and the ES is a great example. It looks like nothing else in the segment, with the divisive spindle grille taking on an increasingly intricate pattern that just looks the business. Move down the sides and you’ll note the beautiful surface play, while the rear’s mimicking of the ‘X’ design up front means the rear three-quarter view is surprisingly pretty.
Step inside and the ES continues to take your breath away in terms of its presentation. There’s a beautiful new cockpit design that differs from the view seen in other models, though familiar elements like the LFA-styled binnacle remain. A standing infotainment screen dominates the centre stack. An 8-inch screen is standard fit, but you can option that up to 12.3-inches should you feel like it. Next to it you’ll find an analogue clock, moved from its position between the vents previously.
Under the skin, you’ll find the ubiquitous Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform that the company intends to use wherever possible, resulting in better packaging and larger dimensions. Overall length is now 66mm longer, with width up 46mm and height dropped 5mm. Wheelbase length has grown a staggering 51mm, resulting in greater rear legroom, something that the ES has always excelled at.
The ES is available in ES250, ES300, and ES300h guises, though it’s that hybrid that has been confirmed for our market. The ES300h pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, running the Atkinson cycle, paired to an electronically-controlled CVT automatic gearbox. Total system output is rated at 153kW, though fuel consumption lies at a very frugal 6.0L/100km.
And critically, the nickel-hydrogen battery is mounted beneath the rear seat base rather than in the boot, ensuring that boot space isn’t hampered even slightly.
The Lexus ES will arrive on Australian shores with the inclusion of what’s dubbed as ‘Lexus Safety System+ 2.0’ as standard fitment. The advanced driver assistance (ADAS) system includes a myriad of features, but most notable is a comprehensive pre-collision system that is capable of detecting oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Further, special attention has been paid to refine the system to ensure better pedestrian detection at night. This is aided further by the adaptive high-beam system on the full-LED lights that manipulate the 24-diodes within to arrange a light pattern that optimises visibility and minimises dazzling.
The Lexus ES has been confirmed for our market, and will arrive in ES300h form with the choice between Luxury and Sports Luxury grades. No mention of the pointier F-Sport trim (which brings more than just aesthetic tweaks to justify the moniker), though we’ve got our fingers crossed. Details on spec and pricing will be released closer to the local launch, so stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you more updates as they come.
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