Test bench | Lexus ES: stepping out of the shadows

In a market segment deserted by many competitors, the ES persists and always signs good results. And the withdrawal of the Avalon, sedan to which this Lexus has long been compared, allows it to come out of the shadows.

Eric LeFrancois
special cooperation

This time, no one will blame Lexus for forgetting its roots. Far from the overpowering HS250h, the distressing CT200h or the ephemeral SC coupe, the ES remains, with the LS, the only model whose origins go back to the creation – already more than 30 years ago – of this luxury branch.

Long “conservative”, Lexus is gaining confidence. A few years ago, it was impossible to hold a Lexus in horror, but just as improbable to dream of it at night… Now, thanks in particular to its hypertrophied grille, the brand attracts attention, even if it means arousing a rejection reaction. Nothing is worse than the lukewarm water of indifference.

true identity

This time, Toyota’s luxury signature has forged a real visual identity. Too bad that, despite a remarkable level of finish and unparalleled equipment, the passenger compartment still lacks personality and a sense of ergonomics to match the ambitions of this car.

Pleasing to the eye, the dashboard is dressed in a dark coating that evokes stingray and sober veneers depending on the options checked. The instrumentation is well laid out and elegant. We will regret again and again the apathy of a touchpad and the complexity of the infotainment system.

Thanks to its exterior dimensions, the ES is not stingy with space for the legs and elbows. Quality that is not necessarily found in the competition. We can also quibble about the seats, which are comfortable but not enveloping enough, the scarcity of storage space offered on board and the lack of modularity of the trunk.

In terms of standard equipment, Lexus has also made a big effort, but there are still options. And these, alas, are grouped together and sold at exorbitant prices, like the “ultra luxury package” at $10,650… Considering the low impact of these accessories on the residual value of the vehicle, it is better to abstain check them off and limit yourself to the standard features.

To me, the boulevards!

The ES holds the road well, offers a wide choice of engines and is distinguished by its ride comfort.

In town, its size isn’t too much of a problem to carve out a niche (parallel parking, if you prefer) without worrying too much. The ES is driven at your fingertips.

Of the three engines offered, the hybrid appears to be the most popular of all. The atmospheric 2.5 L of the ES250 lacks tone and does not hesitate to storm at the slightest effort. However, it is to this engine that Lexus exclusively pairs the four-wheel drive, making this the heaviest variant in the range. Moreover, the weight of the car penalizes the acceleration time which, confirms the chronometer, is not exceptional: more than 8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h.

Hardly faster, the hybrid version has the merit of showing welcome energy sobriety. As for the V6, it’s not lacking in charms (flexible, vigorous, discreet), but these gains come at a price at the pump and, these days, this is an aspect that cannot be overlooked. That said, the ES250 has a strong argument: it is the only one to benefit from four-wheel drive. The other ES (350 and 300h), they only drive their front wheels.

Never mind, given the nature and character of this sedan, the hybrid engine is without a shadow of a doubt the most interesting variation, if not the most exciting. Able to travel a few kilometers at low speed by only requesting its electric power unit, the ES300h puts forward a consumption of less than 7 L per 100 km.

Its fuel consumption (see Technical sheet) makes it possible to absorb a large part, if not all, of the additional cost imposed by its dual motorization. However, the motorist will have to do his part; to achieve real savings in consumption, it will have to keep its feet light. Easy, the ES encourages peaceful driving.

A letter that changes everything

Not to be confused: ES and IS (our photo). The latter targets another clientele. More narrow, more financially accessible and above all sportier, the IS is based on a rear-wheel-drive architecture. It raises its hood to four, six and eight cylinder engines.

The origins

When it started in 1989, Lexus had two vehicles in its catalog. The LS, a luxury sedan, and another more compact, the ES (our photo). The latter has long been denigrated, not without reason, for being only a dressed-up version of the Camry. However, over the generations, the ES has forged an identity of its own, although it still shares several components with Toyota’s midsize sedan.

Share your experience

The Press will soon publish the test of the following vehicles: Audi Q3, BMW iX, Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Z, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Subaru WRX and Volkswagen Jetta (GLi). If you own one of these vehicles or are waiting for delivery, we would love to hear from you.