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
M
Mini-LS. This looks to be a home run for Lexus. I hope they will introduce the ES to the European market.

The stance and detailing makes it look both sporty and elegant at the same time. More successful than the LS in showing these conflicting identities.
M
Mini-LS. This looks to be a home run for Lexus. I hope they will introduce the ES to the European market.

The stance and detailing makes it look both sporty and elegant at the same time. More successful than the LS in showing these conflicting identities.
Benito
Looks good to me so far. I think the interior has to be a big step up from the current generation though and I expect that it will be.
Benito
Looks good to me so far. I think the interior has to be a big step up from the current generation though and I expect that it will be.
Benito
Looks good to me so far. I think the interior has to be a big step up from the current generation though and I expect that it will be.
Joaquin Ruhi
The side profile/greenhouse view in the teaser video disappointed me. Reminds me of the Genesis G80 or, worse, the outgoing 5th-gen (L33) Nissan Altima.
Joaquin Ruhi
The side profile/greenhouse view in the teaser video disappointed me. Reminds me of the Genesis G80 or, worse, the outgoing 5th-gen (L33) Nissan Altima.
Joaquin Ruhi
The side profile/greenhouse view in the teaser video disappointed me. Reminds me of the Genesis G80 or, worse, the outgoing 5th-gen (L33) Nissan Altima.
A
An attempt to show the side profile in one picture.
View attachment 2801
A
An attempt to show the side profile in one picture.
View attachment 2801
A
An attempt to show the side profile in one picture.
View attachment 2801
M
maiaramdan
I will wait and won't judging it until 25th but my first impressions so far towards Avalon of compared to this
It also carries Camry's signature feature of protruded wheel arch on the rear doors together with the door cut that follows the arch.
M
maiaramdan
I will wait and won't judging it until 25th but my first impressions so far towards Avalon of compared to this
It also carries Camry's signature feature of protruded wheel arch on the rear doors together with the door cut that follows the arch.
M
maiaramdan
I will wait and won't judging it until 25th but my first impressions so far towards Avalon of compared to this
It also carries Camry's signature feature of protruded wheel arch on the rear doors together with the door cut that follows the arch.
Ian Schmidt
I like it. Lexus press photos are almost always awful (remember when we thought the UX was blah, and then real photos came out and it was actually pretty great?) but even here this does a good job of conveying both "mini-LS" and continuity from the previous ES. Definitely won't scare Granny, and they'll sell zillions.
Ian Schmidt
I like it. Lexus press photos are almost always awful (remember when we thought the UX was blah, and then real photos came out and it was actually pretty great?) but even here this does a good job of conveying both "mini-LS" and continuity from the previous ES. Definitely won't scare Granny, and they'll sell zillions.
Ian Schmidt
I like it. Lexus press photos are almost always awful (remember when we thought the UX was blah, and then real photos came out and it was actually pretty great?) but even here this does a good job of conveying both "mini-LS" and continuity from the previous ES. Definitely won't scare Granny, and they'll sell zillions.
Gecko
Hmmmm...

Overall, I like it and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Like @Joaquin Ruhi mentioned, I'm kinda getting Genesis G80 vibes from the side profile. The greenhouse and general side profile is actually very close to the Chevrolet Impala... not my favorite comparison. The long body lines, more upright A-pillar and general proportions of this car are reminding me of the late 90s and early 2000s Toyota Crowns and a few other JDM sedans. I get a nostalgic vibe.

A few things I like:
- The front end. I think this might be Lexus' nicest front end since the LC. The lines are right, the details work, it's not overstyled and it's a relatively mature take on what we've seen from Lexus' faces lately. I could do without the chrome whiskers though.
- The front and rear overhang don't look bad. From spy shots, it looked like there would be considerable front overhang but I don't see it here. Nice work.
- Specifically, the headlights. With UX, LS and ES, it seems like Lexus is moving towards a somewhat toned down headlight that incorporates the DRL into the main housing... but still gives the illusion of a signature check. I like it. The execution of this is much better than GS, IS and others. I assume the IS may end up a little more wild... a la LC... but that's alright.


A few things I don't love:
- That rear bumper... what is that strange chunk that looks to be protruding out?
- The greenhouse is sticking out to me as a sore spot in the design. The rear end of the car goes into a fastback shape and the side flanks are rather chunky... it looks like a slightly smaller greenhouse would have fit this design better, but after the complaints about headroom in the new LS, I understand why they did this.
- Rear spoiler... what's going on here?
- Rear taillights are almost identical to the existing GS. Could we have done something a little more fresh?

Excited to see the interior.
Gecko
Hmmmm...

Overall, I like it and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Like @Joaquin Ruhi mentioned, I'm kinda getting Genesis G80 vibes from the side profile. The greenhouse and general side profile is actually very close to the Chevrolet Impala... not my favorite comparison. The long body lines, more upright A-pillar and general proportions of this car are reminding me of the late 90s and early 2000s Toyota Crowns and a few other JDM sedans. I get a nostalgic vibe.

A few things I like:
- The front end. I think this might be Lexus' nicest front end since the LC. The lines are right, the details work, it's not overstyled and it's a relatively mature take on what we've seen from Lexus' faces lately. I could do without the chrome whiskers though.
- The front and rear overhang don't look bad. From spy shots, it looked like there would be considerable front overhang but I don't see it here. Nice work.
- Specifically, the headlights. With UX, LS and ES, it seems like Lexus is moving towards a somewhat toned down headlight that incorporates the DRL into the main housing... but still gives the illusion of a signature check. I like it. The execution of this is much better than GS, IS and others. I assume the IS may end up a little more wild... a la LC... but that's alright.


A few things I don't love:
- That rear bumper... what is that strange chunk that looks to be protruding out?
- The greenhouse is sticking out to me as a sore spot in the design. The rear end of the car goes into a fastback shape and the side flanks are rather chunky... it looks like a slightly smaller greenhouse would have fit this design better, but after the complaints about headroom in the new LS, I understand why they did this.
- Rear spoiler... what's going on here?
- Rear taillights are almost identical to the existing GS. Could we have done something a little more fresh?

Excited to see the interior.
Gecko
Hmmmm...

Overall, I like it and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Like @Joaquin Ruhi mentioned, I'm kinda getting Genesis G80 vibes from the side profile. The greenhouse and general side profile is actually very close to the Chevrolet Impala... not my favorite comparison. The long body lines, more upright A-pillar and general proportions of this car are reminding me of the late 90s and early 2000s Toyota Crowns and a few other JDM sedans. I get a nostalgic vibe.

A few things I like:
- The front end. I think this might be Lexus' nicest front end since the LC. The lines are right, the details work, it's not overstyled and it's a relatively mature take on what we've seen from Lexus' faces lately. I could do without the chrome whiskers though.
- The front and rear overhang don't look bad. From spy shots, it looked like there would be considerable front overhang but I don't see it here. Nice work.
- Specifically, the headlights. With UX, LS and ES, it seems like Lexus is moving towards a somewhat toned down headlight that incorporates the DRL into the main housing... but still gives the illusion of a signature check. I like it. The execution of this is much better than GS, IS and others. I assume the IS may end up a little more wild... a la LC... but that's alright.


A few things I don't love:
- That rear bumper... what is that strange chunk that looks to be protruding out?
- The greenhouse is sticking out to me as a sore spot in the design. The rear end of the car goes into a fastback shape and the side flanks are rather chunky... it looks like a slightly smaller greenhouse would have fit this design better, but after the complaints about headroom in the new LS, I understand why they did this.
- Rear spoiler... what's going on here?
- Rear taillights are almost identical to the existing GS. Could we have done something a little more fresh?

Excited to see the interior.
S
The protruding rear bumper and spoiler are also seen on the Camry (very pronounced on the XSE) and the Avalon. They are trying to mimic a liftback/fastback without sacrificing rear headroom.

You can tell they are doing TNGA part sharing there, which I don't think is the appropriate thing to do. Toyota parts on Lexus=easy target for media criticism.

And once again, Lexus has built enough front overhang to fit a V8 in that transverse FWD chassis. Funnily enough with that long nose it actually looks even "more longitudinal RWD" than current generation GS (which confusingly has a very long overhang for a longitudinal RWD car). In some ways it looks more atheletic than the GS but lacks the compactness and agility that hide the size of GS very well.
S
The protruding rear bumper and spoiler are also seen on the Camry (very pronounced on the XSE) and the Avalon. They are trying to mimic a liftback/fastback without sacrificing rear headroom.

You can tell they are doing TNGA part sharing there, which I don't think is the appropriate thing to do. Toyota parts on Lexus=easy target for media criticism.

And once again, Lexus has built enough front overhang to fit a V8 in that transverse FWD chassis. Funnily enough with that long nose it actually looks even "more longitudinal RWD" than current generation GS (which confusingly has a very long overhang for a longitudinal RWD car). In some ways it looks more atheletic than the GS but lacks the compactness and agility that hide the size of GS very well.
S
The protruding rear bumper and spoiler are also seen on the Camry (very pronounced on the XSE) and the Avalon. They are trying to mimic a liftback/fastback without sacrificing rear headroom.

You can tell they are doing TNGA part sharing there, which I don't think is the appropriate thing to do. Toyota parts on Lexus=easy target for media criticism.

And once again, Lexus has built enough front overhang to fit a V8 in that transverse FWD chassis. Funnily enough with that long nose it actually looks even "more longitudinal RWD" than current generation GS (which confusingly has a very long overhang for a longitudinal RWD car). In some ways it looks more atheletic than the GS but lacks the compactness and agility that hide the size of GS very well.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 18, 2018
I'll take it! ... Atomic Silver/Noble Brown ... less the spoiler/hybrid ... can't wait to see 'real' photos/real life
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 18, 2018
I'll take it! ... Atomic Silver/Noble Brown ... less the spoiler/hybrid ... can't wait to see 'real' photos/real life
R
  • R
    RAL
  • April 18, 2018
I'll take it! ... Atomic Silver/Noble Brown ... less the spoiler/hybrid ... can't wait to see 'real' photos/real life
Enthusiast88
I definitely like the styling much more then the LS. It's more cohesive to me. Will need to see the rear in full and without the spoiler in person though.
I'm glad they got rid of some of the tacky styling cues like on the LS that appear to be borrowed from several different vehicles (thus making it appear less cohesive, or as Robert Cumberford put it "an aesthetic mess".).
I am really looking forward to seeing the interior, which fell very short on material quality when the current ES launched. Also looking forward to official drivetrain specifics.
Enthusiast88
I definitely like the styling much more then the LS. It's more cohesive to me. Will need to see the rear in full and without the spoiler in person though.
I'm glad they got rid of some of the tacky styling cues like on the LS that appear to be borrowed from several different vehicles (thus making it appear less cohesive, or as Robert Cumberford put it "an aesthetic mess".).
I am really looking forward to seeing the interior, which fell very short on material quality when the current ES launched. Also looking forward to official drivetrain specifics.
Enthusiast88
I definitely like the styling much more then the LS. It's more cohesive to me. Will need to see the rear in full and without the spoiler in person though.
I'm glad they got rid of some of the tacky styling cues like on the LS that appear to be borrowed from several different vehicles (thus making it appear less cohesive, or as Robert Cumberford put it "an aesthetic mess".).
I am really looking forward to seeing the interior, which fell very short on material quality when the current ES launched. Also looking forward to official drivetrain specifics.
maiaramdan
Alshamsi
An attempt to show the side profile in one picture.
Lexus Altima

M