Comparing the New Lexus ES & Lexus LS Sedans

Posted by Kevin on April 18th, 2018

The next-generation Lexus ES has been revealed, and the similarities with the exterior design of the LS flagship are undeniable — let’s put them side-by-side for a comparison:

Lexus ES vs Lexus LS Front

Lexus ES vs Lexus LS Side

There are so many shared design cues that pointing out the differences turns into a game of its own — the headlights, the grille pattern, the lack of a chrome samurai blade along the bottom of the doors.

Overall, the ES is softer in its curves and less articulated in its angles, but this should be expected and even preferred. After all, the LS is the Lexus sedan flagship and can’t give away all its secrets.

(Special thanks to RAL on the forums for this post idea!)

Lexus ES: Sixth GenerationLexus LS: Fourth Generation
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Comments
A
spwolf
there are indeed photos of camouflaged test vehicles as well as concept shots of how it should look like, like baby LS basically.

I agree on 300h vs 450h, huge difference in pricing.

We know that 2020 Highlander coming next year will have 300h version. I assume that RX will have it too, especially in Europe.
I meant something more like this

[​IMG]
A
spwolf
there are indeed photos of camouflaged test vehicles as well as concept shots of how it should look like, like baby LS basically.

I agree on 300h vs 450h, huge difference in pricing.

We know that 2020 Highlander coming next year will have 300h version. I assume that RX will have it too, especially in Europe.
I meant something more like this

[​IMG]
A
ssun30
Just sold my XV40 ES350 for ¥180k ($29k) with 10 years and 180k miles (original price is ¥570k/$70k). The dealership will take it next month. That will put me on the early delivery list for the new ES. Basically I got a 60% better deal by committing to pre-order. They want to sell this to ES loyalists, hard.

They wouldn't tell me what the top trim will be, but I will miss the V6.
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
A
ssun30
Just sold my XV40 ES350 for ¥180k ($29k) with 10 years and 180k miles (original price is ¥570k/$70k). The dealership will take it next month. That will put me on the early delivery list for the new ES. Basically I got a 60% better deal by committing to pre-order. They want to sell this to ES loyalists, hard.

They wouldn't tell me what the top trim will be, but I will miss the V6.
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
S
asoksevil
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
S
asoksevil
You can put down a pre order without actually seeing the product nor the concept? Very much a la Tesla Mode 3.
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
A
ssun30
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
A
ssun30
I didn't pay anything. It's just a verbal commitment. Their manager is a personal friend of mine so they know I will be buying a Lexus sedan for sure. They are trying hard to sell me a LS500h Executive which is part of the reason for the overprice they paid for the trade-in.
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
S
asoksevil
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
The context here is that I helped them sell one LX and two ES in 2017 through referral, and the corresponding salesperson got loads of commissions. Plus all these years of helping their business including a little overspending on maintenance for my ES350 and a some referrals. They have lots of reasons to trade-in for such high value, not to mention the ES is in prime condition. They know the LS500h would be a very tough sell but it's always worth trying on their part.
S
asoksevil
So you sold your current ES for a higher trade-in value because you gave your verbal commitment about purchasing the LS? That sounds a bit rushed from the dealer side, I would have expected a written confirmation/deposit about the LS since that's the reason you got a higher trade-in value right?

Can't wait to see the new ES, sounds like a true game changer for Lexus if it's going to be a mini LS. I hope Lexus doesn't cheapen it out and it standing vis-a-vis the Germans.
The context here is that I helped them sell one LX and two ES in 2017 through referral, and the corresponding salesperson got loads of commissions. Plus all these years of helping their business including a little overspending on maintenance for my ES350 and a some referrals. They have lots of reasons to trade-in for such high value, not to mention the ES is in prime condition. They know the LS500h would be a very tough sell but it's always worth trying on their part.
S
mediumhot
It might be the best looking ES in last 15 years but that face looks like it belongs on IS entry sedan. I know they've put that extreme hood to spindle crease to give it more dramatic look (and just like creases on UX it goes absolutely nowhere) but mid size premium cars just like premium flagships command smoother surface blends. Look at the edge filleting on LS in comparison shot.
ES pic is much lower detail cell phone pics blown up... there is a lot of detail there too, but of course it is not the same as LS...
S
mediumhot
It might be the best looking ES in last 15 years but that face looks like it belongs on IS entry sedan. I know they've put that extreme hood to spindle crease to give it more dramatic look (and just like creases on UX it goes absolutely nowhere) but mid size premium cars just like premium flagships command smoother surface blends. Look at the edge filleting on LS in comparison shot.
ES pic is much lower detail cell phone pics blown up... there is a lot of detail there too, but of course it is not the same as LS...
Gecko
spwolf


just reminded me to look at old spy shots... Toyota always tests with real wheels, so we can confirm F-Sport version here.
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
Gecko
spwolf


just reminded me to look at old spy shots... Toyota always tests with real wheels, so we can confirm F-Sport version here.
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
Gecko
Front end is rather busy, IMO, but it looks nice overall. Not liking how the chrome "whiskers" go up the hood, north of the grill.

Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
Gecko
Front end is rather busy, IMO, but it looks nice overall. Not liking how the chrome "whiskers" go up the hood, north of the grill.

Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 10, 2018
Since first seeing this spy shot of the base model ... I have been trying to visualize what this grille design looks like. I agree with @Gecko ... it looks busy, and especially ugly in camouflage ... like a pirana's mouth. Though hard to tell from the angle of the leaked image, the grille appears dark ... almost blacked out. Why create a busy pattern only to darken it away? Fractal is LS elegant ... but busy is ... well, ... not.

The shape of the spindle is audacious enough ... The F-Sport mesh grille design looks good. But I was hoping for a simple elegant grille design for the base model. Hopefully we shall soon see ... in a couple weeks? ...

View attachment 2798
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 10, 2018
Since first seeing this spy shot of the base model ... I have been trying to visualize what this grille design looks like. I agree with @Gecko ... it looks busy, and especially ugly in camouflage ... like a pirana's mouth. Though hard to tell from the angle of the leaked image, the grille appears dark ... almost blacked out. Why create a busy pattern only to darken it away? Fractal is LS elegant ... but busy is ... well, ... not.

The shape of the spindle is audacious enough ... The F-Sport mesh grille design looks good. But I was hoping for a simple elegant grille design for the base model. Hopefully we shall soon see ... in a couple weeks? ...

View attachment 2798
krew
spwolf
@krew nice article and compare with LS... also pic was posted on instagram, by name i would say US dealer employee.
YIKES

Gecko
Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
I would bet the vertical slats on the ES are to avoid completely cannibalizing the LS design -- there needs to be some differentiator between the two vehicles. Also, remember how Lexus really played up the design of the LS front grille, talking about it taking six months to develop? No way they were going to paste that on the ES front end.

I bet the vertical pattern minimizes the boldness of the ES spindle grille, and is meant to soften the look. ES F SPORT can use the standard F SPORT pattern no problem.
krew
spwolf
@krew nice article and compare with LS... also pic was posted on instagram, by name i would say US dealer employee.
YIKES

Gecko
Are we now going back to vertical slats in the grill? LC, LS and UX all debut with mesh, but this ES seems to debut with vertical slats? The very bottom of the grill looks to have some mesh type of pattern, so maybe it's a 3D effect and from that angle, all we can really see is the vertical element?
I would bet the vertical slats on the ES are to avoid completely cannibalizing the LS design -- there needs to be some differentiator between the two vehicles. Also, remember how Lexus really played up the design of the LS front grille, talking about it taking six months to develop? No way they were going to paste that on the ES front end.

I bet the vertical pattern minimizes the boldness of the ES spindle grille, and is meant to soften the look. ES F SPORT can use the standard F SPORT pattern no problem.
S
Gecko
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
S
Gecko
The version you posted looks to be the standard car. Here is F Sport:

[​IMG]

[​IMG]
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
Gecko
spwolf
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.
Gecko
spwolf
damn, so even regular version has dark wheels... i guess there will have several different models, one that will also bee sportier but not F-Sport and then F-Sport as well. Europe has Sport models quite often, which are just wheels and trim, so less than F-Sport.
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.
S
Gecko
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.

Black wheels are very popular in Europe... so I bet these will feature... it is similar to RX Sport wheels:

[​IMG]
S
Gecko
I doubt it. My assumption is that those wheels are sprayed black as part of the camo... Toyota and Lexus have been doing this lately with some prototypes.

I assume the standard car will have normal polished/silver wheels, F Sport will probably have the smoked chrome and perhaps there will be a different finish option like there is for LS - hyper or something?

Black wheels would be a turnoff for many ES buyers.

Black wheels are very popular in Europe... so I bet these will feature... it is similar to RX Sport wheels:

[​IMG]
S
those look the same?
S
those look the same?
Benito
The leaked photo also has base model headlights. In the camouflaged ES there appears to be more attractive likely triple LED headlights like the LS.
Benito
The leaked photo also has base model headlights. In the camouflaged ES there appears to be more attractive likely triple LED headlights like the LS.

B