If you buy a Lexus ES, you buy it because you want most luxury possible at the $35,000 mark and couldn't care less about performance, right?
Well, says Paul Williamsen, Toyota product education manager, the new ES will offer "a real level of luxury but with a driving experience that doesn't disappoint." Important to this mission is a new 272-hp 3.5L V6 and six-speed automatic that get the car to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, according to Lexus. The ES doesn't ride on an all-new platform, but Lexus says it has been substantially modified to match the engine's capability.
"There were some in the past who might have recognized the ES as a Lexus, as an entry-luxury car, but might have found its reputation to not be a high enough level of dynamic driving experience," Williamsen added. "With this car, we'll add a new level of consideration among those buyers."
Should you give yourself over to these considering masses?.. We'll let you know after we drive the ES 350. Lexus is hoping there will be 70,000 of you.
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Not bad for a face-lift. The engine is the biggest change, but they also managed to give it more of a family resemblance to the IS.
I've seen the pics and this car looks pretty good. It doesnt have many competitors, only the Zephyr and arguably the C Class. I'd say it beats them both.
Glad to see that Lexus is taking performance more seriously and making all their cars wicked fast. 6.8 seconds is pretty respectable.
The ES and the Acura TL used to be direct competitors until the 2004 model year, when the redesigned TL tilted decidedly towards the "sport" end of the spectrum. The ES was left to fill the "japanese Buick" market niche and it did very well for itself.
With this ES redesign, Lexus distances the car from the Camry more so than previous generations (though, there is still a pretty good resemblance) and manages to give the ES an attitude that teases you with performance aspirations while maintaining the comfortabel ride and luxurious atmosphere that has made it so successful. The 272HP V6 doesn't hurt, either!
I am happy to see that most of the design language present in the new GS and IS models is maintained in this car - it gives Lexus a consistent identity across the lineup.