The eighth generation of the legendary Japanese model reinterprets the classic saloon style and refined luxury for the electric era, whilst retaining Lexus’s sleek design and technology.
The first model in the range to feature the new Lexus Advanced Multimedia System, which offers access to new and enhanced user features, as well as services for information, entertainment, comfort and vehicle safety, with improved functions and additional aids to help prevent accidents and reduce driver fatigue.
The significance of the new Lexus ES goes beyond it simply being the latest evolution of the Lexus luxury saloon. Inspired by the promise of the bold Lexus LF-ZC concept, it charts a new course in design and technology.
The eighth generation of this model, which has already made its mark in the Japanese manufacturer’s history, offers more space and comfort than ever before. Designed to deliver greater driving pleasure and unprecedented comfort, the new ES embodies the unique principles of Omotenashi hospitality that characterise Lexus.
The debut of new Lexus software gives the new ES greater power and improved responsiveness across a wide range of features, including more sophisticated and varied infotainment solutions, as well as more intuitive menus and new advanced safety features.
The new model continues Lexus’s multi-technology philosophy, offering customers the powertrains best suited to their needs and preferences, whilst helping to reduce emissions in line with the goal of carbon neutrality. To this end, the new ES is available in both electric and hybrid versions, with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Clean Tech x Elegance Design
Over the course of seven generations, the ES has made a name for itself as an elegant, traditional luxury saloon.
Externally, it has been developed in line with a new Lexus design concept: Clean Tech x Elegance, which showcases the perfect blend of functional technology and a design that reflects the premium quality and handcrafted luxury characteristic of Lexus.
By adhering to the principle of the ‘golden ratio’, an ideal balance is achieved between the car’s dimensions and the proportions of an elegant, visually striking saloon with a highly spacious interior.
Viewed from the front, the ES features a wide, well-defined bonnet, shaped by its characteristic double-arrowhead design, whilst, in the case of the hybrid versions, the front end is further accentuated by an upper opening that frames the lower part of the vehicle’s front nose to ensure optimum cooling.
The side profile is subtle and precise, conveying a sense of stability. Its flowing silhouette features a coupé-style design with a sloping roofline that gives the car a sleeker overall appearance.
Complementing the clean, sharp exterior design, a number of features have been incorporated to manage the airflow around the car, achieving excellent aerodynamic performance that improves handling and overall fuel and energy efficiency.
The electric versions feature trim strips at the bottom of the grille that control the flow of air to the battery or motor, reducing aerodynamic drag.
Interior design: sophisticated, simple and modern
The interior of the new ES follows the same Clean Tech x Elegance concept that defines its minimalist and clean exterior design, with subtle touches of elegance, conveying a sense of quality in every detail.
The aim is to strike the perfect balance between an uncluttered, open space whilst ensuring that the main controls and switches remain easy and intuitive to locate and operate.
The design and equipment features faithfully reflect Lexus’s ‘Making Luxury Personal’ philosophy and approach every aspect through the lens of Lexus’s Omotenashi hospitality. This means that, whatever the journey, whether you’re the driver or a passenger, all your needs are anticipated and met seamlessly in a highly relaxing environment.
With great sensitivity, the design team created an interior that cleverly combines a bright, open upper space with a lower area that comfortably envelops the occupants.
With this in mind, the low-mounted instrument panel increases the space between the dashboard and the driver’s seat, helping to improve forward visibility. The minimalist design features discreet controls and new, invisible Lexus Invisible Tech switches that blend into the surroundings.
The interior comfort is complemented by ingenious storage solutions for various small items, such as a tray located beneath the front air vents and the multimedia system, where – depending on the trim level – two smartphones can be placed, complete with USB-C charging ports.
Comfort at its very best
The ES is the first Lexus to be fitted with new-generation front seats. These feature a lightweight construction and are divided into separate modules, providing greater support and comfort.
Thanks to a 17 mm extension of the front seat’s seat cushion, the occupant’s thighs remain fully supported at all times.
At the rear, the ES features highly comfortable passenger seats, with a distance of 1,102 mm from the front seats when they are in their normal position.
In the electric version, in the Omotenashi+ trim, it features a rear comfort package comprising seats that recline from 28 to 38 degrees with integrated heating, ventilation and massage functions, along with an extendable leg rest. The centre armrest features a backlit control panel for adjusting the seats, climate control, heating and cooling, as well as operating the side and rear blinds and the five massage modes.
The new driver’s seat embodies Lexus’s Tazuna design philosophy, in which the controls are strategically positioned to provide the driver with excellent visibility and easy access to controls and information at all times.
Featuring a new 12.3-inch Lexus Digital Cockpit instrument cluster with a trapezoidal design for ease of use, it offers several customisable display modes, with up to six different options.
The interior of the new cabin features very high-quality upholstery and finishes. Perforated synthetic leather or perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery is fitted as standard across the entire range. All of these are combined with a black synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel, featuring full-circumference heating.
The ES is the first Lexus model to incorporate an innovative forming technique for the decorative trim that adorns the interior. This has led to the creation of panels made from composite materials and bamboo, known as Bamboo Layering, using advanced printing and light transmission techniques.
The standard audio package is a system comprising 10 speakers strategically positioned throughout the cabin to ensure the best sound quality and minimise distortion. As an option, and only on the top-of-the-range models, a Mark Levinson™ surround sound system fitted with 17 speakers is available.
The Lexus Climate Concierge coordinates the climate control system with the heated and ventilated seats, the front seat under-seat heating and the steering wheel to ensure optimum system performance.
Air quality is also monitored to filter out odours and pollen, whilst the nanoeXTM system releases microscopic ions into the cabin airflow. As well as combating odours, viruses and bacteria, the system incorporates a level of humidity to moisturise the skin and hair.
Three trim levels
Generally speaking, all versions of the new ES – both hybrid and electric – come with a very comprehensive range of standard features.
The ES 300h hybrid is available in the Signature and Exclusive trim levels. Both are fitted with the new 14-inch multimedia system, whilst the Exclusive trim level also includes additional features such as Digital Key, 360° Parking Aid (PVM), a digital rear-view mirror and the Mark Levinson™ premium audio system with 17 speakers.
Meanwhile, the ES 350e FWD and ES 500e AWD electric models are available in the Signature and Omotenashi+ trim levels. In this case, the Omotenashi+ trim level features high-end equipment options such as adaptive variable suspension and high-resolution MultiLED headlights with adaptive lighting, as well as the rear comfort package, which includes an ottoman seat for the rear right-hand seat and a folding front passenger seat for enhanced comfort.
Optionally, within the ES range, only the electric versions can be fitted with 21-inch wheels, which are available in two designs: 21-inch Luxury Design for the ES 350e FWD and 21-inch Aero Design for the ES 500e AWD.
Lexus’s multi-technology approach: electric and hybrid
The new ES embraces Lexus’s multi-technology philosophy to offer customers a range of electrified powertrains with a view to reducing emissions. The range includes two electric models, the ES 350e FWD and the ES 500e AWD, and one hybrid model, the ES 300h. Taken together, they offer a wide range of options in terms of power, performance and efficiency to suit customers’ preferences and requirements.
The ES uses a new electric powertrain developed to build on the so-called Lexus Driving Signature, creating a more responsive conectan between car and driver.
In line with this development, the core qualities of Lexus’s 100% electric vehicles and driving comfort have been enhanced, including revised Lexus e-Axles to deliver greater power and a higher-capacity battery. The ES is also available for the first time in its most high-performance electric version. The ES 500e, featuring the Lexus Interactive Manual Drive system, offers a more rewarding driving experience with sequential gear selection via paddles behind the steering wheel.
This version is also fitted with the Lexus DIRECT4 intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which enhances driving dynamics whilst maintaining fuel efficiency. Finally, the ES 500e AWD features a rear motor with an output of 88.3 kW, delivering a solid balance between rewarding performance, range and efficiency. The unit is fitted beneath the vehicle’s floor, so the sealed and reinforced battery does not take up any boot space and lowers the centre of gravity.
Thanks to the battery management and preconditioning functions included in the ES, stable charging is guaranteed across a wide range of temperatures. Consequently, a fast charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent using a 150 kW DC charger can be achieved in just 28 minutes at temperatures as low as -10°C. And if you’re charging from 10 per cent to 100 per cent using a 22 kW AC charger, the charging time is four hours.
The ES 300h is the first model to feature the sixth generation of Lexus hybrid technology. This new hybrid system combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a new front transaxle and a new, lighter and more compact lithium-ion battery, delivering 196 CV. Taken together, they offer enhanced efficiency, refinement and performance, with a choice of two drivetrain options – front-wheel or all-wheel drive – available for the first time on a Lexus ES, combined with Lexus’s E-Four system.
The newly designed front suspension for the new ES is of the MacPherson type, whilst at the rear a multi-link system has been used for the first time in the ES range, improving power delivery and vehicle posture control.
A new control system optimises the use of the hybrid battery to deliver a combination of powerful acceleration and fuel efficiency at the same time. The engine also benefits from increased rigidity, which reduces the noise and vibrations caused by its operation.
