This article’s event is a facelift of a car which already used the spindle grille, although in a smaller version, so it’s probably easy to underestimate its importance at first. However, its importance flourishes when you learn that ES is Lexus’ midsize sedan. Since both the small and the full-size segments have started to look sportier and more casual, respectively to attract people from generalist makers and to make them forget about old-fashioned limousines, ES’s group used to be quite conservative, so as to remain competitive as a bridge. In nowadays, since all drivers seem to be converging towards the modern interpretation of luxury cars, even ES’s category had to adapt. While it’s always possible to use German cars, the truth is it provides a great example of this itself.
You can compare this car with literally any of its previous iterations, and the contrast only gets bigger. ES received a front grille tall enough to touch both the hood and the car’s lower end, and wide enough to be the only air intake. The lights, both main and auxiliary, became very angular and positioned as if they were compressing the grille from the center – the latter now use chrome surroundings shaped as pillars. The sides only feature new wheels, as usual, but they will range from 17” to 20”. Finally, the rear end received a thicker chrome bar, new internal design for the lights (several LEDs in an L-shaped arrangement), and rectangular exhaust tips. The result might look exaggerated at first, but it does exude confidence. And this is what Lexus wanted.
Opening the doors will reveal the same level of updates. Instead of changing what was already a great design, the Japanese company preferred to produce it in different ways. In other words, there are new schemes of materials and colors. The leather upholstery can come in black, Flaxen brown, gray or Parchment, while the inserts are available in Bamboo with matte finish, Illustrious Piano Black wood, and Linear Dark Mocha wood. Besides, the instrument cluster now sports a 4.2 TFT screen between the gauges, and Lexus’ Remote Touch interface was tweaked in favor of easier operation. When it comes to equipments, Lexus Enform services were improved, and all option packages can include Mark Levinson premium stereo and panoramic sunroof.
When it comes to performance, there will be an ES350 and an ES300h once again. The first one uses a 3.5-liter V6 good for 268 hp and paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The other, in turn, combines a 2.5-liter, Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor to reach combined 200 hp. This one uses a CVT with four driving modes, and is capable of running with only electricity or only gasoline. Some particular markets, like China, will have other less-powered options. In order to make better use of such power, ES also brings the Safety System+ package, bundling recent electronic systems such as adaptive cruise control and automatic braking with pedestrian detection. This car will go on sale in the next few months.