Videos: The 2019 Lexus ES & ES F SPORT

spwolf

there is red leather in Chinese press vehicle but I am not sure if it will be in all markets.

Thanks man , it’s coming to The US one day , let’s hope .

The new ES is almost spot on the rendering photo that went around awhile ago. The rendering looked like the last gen Camry I wasn't feeling it as much but the final product ES looks good and will sell well. I'm just waiting on the new GS

My first Lexus was a brand new 07 Es350 even thou I have graduated to the GS its nice to see the new ES. I love the ques taken from the new LS and put in the ES with the ML speaker on the door looks just like that glass cut out on the LS interior door. But I did notice something I seen ES250 on the back, I wonder what the engine options are for the new ES....

Ok I just read the press release I see the new 4 cylinder engine I'm surprised its not turbo. Also that's a big increase in power for the v6 engine just like the Camry over 300hp

Well, it has been quite an 18-month wait since admin Mike was told about this car in 2016. It is a good improvement over the XV60, but not a fitting E-class or 5-Series competitor. I look forward to watching how the European market place responds to it and if it justifies the dumping a 25-year old nameplate, instead of implementing kaizen ACROSS the model range.

Excuse my negativity, but this does NOT bridge the GAP between the IS and LS as needed. A cynical marketing exercise nonetheless and barely works as a tempoary placeholder. Not everyone is a car enthusiast, but plenty of those non car enthusiasts can tell the difference in some cases and will move to the next brand that offers a product that is a direct alternative to the midsizers XF/A6/5er/E from Jaguar, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

My "aunt", a successful medical supply business owner leased an ES350 in February 2013 and quickly replaced it with a 2014 GS450h within 1 year for some rather . She had previously driven a W211 E-class and didn't want anything too big like an S-Class or LS. The reasons she gave choosing a GS then, was her husband (pediatric specialist) surprised her with the wrong car for her birthday and the GS fit what she wanted more.

This is someone who I met in February 2006, that day being driven up to my house in her realtor's 2005/06 ES330 to spend the night at my house (thousands of miles from Morristown, NJ home). She went with a 2016 Porsche, as Lexus does not make a true Cayenne competitor and she did not like the 2016 GS facelift. Are Lexus willing to lose people like that, over and over?

Anyway, I do look forward to at least writing about the new ES in August or September at earliest. Expect what happened to the SC to happen with GS. "GA-L II" might be the basis of that possibly. On its own, the new ES is a fair offering and damn well better than a Buick (competitively). Still, it isn't good when an XSE/Sportivo Camry looks sportier than a larger luxury F-Sport model.

KOHIPEET

So you're suggesting, that the new GS won't make it to Europe? They might as well abandon the entire segment in Europe alltogether.

KOHIPEET

You see, I doubt that. If a new GS is in development, then why release the ES in Europe? Only to have the IS, the ES and the new GS in a few years time, on a shrinking, extremely competitive market.

Unless Lexus wants to establish a brand new segment between the GS and the IS but this, I think is even less likely. (perhaps they'll price it just slightly above the IS but that would cannibalize IS' sales)

If they want to succeed in this segment (success meaning sales at least in ballpark with the other manufacturer's) they need to have another, more powerfull híbrid.

From a car enthusiast point of view, we all get why the ES cannot be a true replacement for the GS (handling, driving dynamics, RWD vs FWD) but in layman terms, there's no denying in the increased price point. You could argue that "mainstream" customers will not care about it being FWD, but what about the quality of the materials? The comfort of the GS should definitely trump the ES. The GS ($46k) in the U.S is 8k more expensive than the ES ($39k) and in Europe, the difference is even wider, the IS starts at €36k and the GS at €53k (Spanish prices). The LS in Spain is €112k and $75k in the US, there needs to be a model in between to capture that spectrum of willingness to pay.

I still think that the ES cannot compete in the same E class and 5 Series segment in equal terms. Sure, the ES has certainly being upgraded but it still has the "Camry" or Toyota stigma, a very powerful and established name while the GS has its own brand equity. I see Lexus repositioning the GS as a for door coupe a la CLS Class or A7. Make no mistake, the GS is no SC, the GS has years of experience and it is a well developed brand in the world, it's harder to elevate the ES brand vis a vis GS when you can still leverage the GS.

It looks so much better without spoiler.

What saddens me is that Lexus is perceived to be depressing the pricepoints on its models. Or so is it?

renyeo

What saddens me is that Lexus is perceived to be depressing the pricepoints on its models. Or so is it?

Most of the luxury brand sales here in Europe are in up to €40k sector... Lexus simply did not have much to offer there while Germans offer wide range of their vehicles in that price range.

All the recent products such as LC, LS, F models and even RX-L have moved up the price points compared to their previous versions.

Look at 1:48 in the following video, is that a rear seat secliner ?

Madi

Look at 1:48 in the following video, is that a rear seat back adjuster?

Amazing video, thank you... Quality of the interior is pretty nice in good quality videos, looks great. They even matched the plastics colors in different interior models.

As to the rear recliner, yes, it seems to have electric rear recliner. and white F-Sport looks amazing.

Madi

Now may some folks will stop the GS discontinuation non-sense after realizing that - as I said before -
- No AWD ES
- New GS is on development
:):)

Yup. People are quick to forget that the GS took a model-year off (2012) between the 3rd and 4th Generation :p I have a strong feeling that the 5th Generation will be a A7/Gran Coupe/CLS competitor.

Madi

Look at 1:48 in the following video, is that a rear seat back adjuster?

FINALLY! Great eye you have. I've been waiting for them to at least offer heated rear seats in the sedan lineup. I really hope that those rear controls make it to the US-spec vehicles.

ThePenguin

Yup. People are quick to forget that the GS took a model-year off (2012) between the 3rd and 4th Generation :p I have a strong feeling that the 5th Generation will be a A7/Gran Coupe/CLS competitor.



FINALLY! Great eye you have. I've been waiting for them to at least offer heated rear seats in the sedan lineup. I really hope that those rear controls make it to the US-spec vehicles.

Rear heating is given for sure, even in US spec vehicles.

Madi

Look at 1:48 in the following video, is that a rear seat back adjuster?

Thank you @Madi for posting this video. So good to see an interior in Noble Brown/wood my favorite!

Very nice design. I just find it so ironic, how both this and the Avalon are both on new platforms, yet they are so evolutionary in design. Yet, the predecessors looked so revolutionary! Seems deliberate. Very amusing how this happens with certain brands over the years, where a new top hat on old platform changes things up aesthetically, then subsequent new platform version can look like a refresh.

I definitely liked the 6ES improvements over the 5ES, so this does a great job in evolving the ES model line and at least making it more of a global offering. On its own, this is a good offering and can only do better by mid-cycle (as Gecko once said). They should make the ES be what the 1987-2002 Lincoln Continental was once to the 1989-2002 Town Car.

Ultra luxury rear seat amenities, but while withholding certain features like massage, extra adjustments (6 way vs 12 way), and media/entertainment offerings for LS only. See how BMW manages rear seat packs for 5-Series against the flagship 7-Series since 2010. Considering that 240B final designs were set 2 years ago, I can imagine it wasn't timely enough to pack in more content against the GS.

Even if the GS became/becomes 4-door coupe, the ES really needs to cover the luxury side of things on the lower end like all other midsizers. Things the A7, CLS, and 6-Series were a bit lacking at the rear, that the A6, E, and 5er had to offer something comfort oriented, especially in Asian markets.

An ES priced from $39k USD to $65k would've been ideal, where a fully loaded ES 400 had a Dynamic Force 3.0L TTV6 AWD putting out 370 HP and a UL package with every option ticked (RES dual screens w/limited functions, cooled/heated rear seats, front massage, etc).

Carmaker1

Very nice design. I just find it so ironic, how both this and the Avalon are both on new platforms, yet they are so evolutionary in design. Yet, the predecessors looked so revolutionary! Seems deliberate. Very amusing how this happens with certain brands over the years, where a new top hat on old platform changes things up aesthetically, then subsequent new platform version can look like a refresh.

I definitely liked the 6ES improvements over the 5ES, so this does a great job in evolving the ES model line and at least making it more of a global offering. On its own, this is a good offering and can only do better by mid-cycle (as Gecko once said). They should make the ES be what the 1987-2002 Lincoln Continental was once to the 1989-2002 Town Car.

Ultra luxury rear seat amenities, but while withholding certain features like massage, extra adjustments (6 way vs 12 way), and media/entertainment offerings for LS only. See how BMW manages rear seat packs for 5-Series against the flagship 7-Series since 2010. Considering that 240B final designs were set 2 years ago, I can imagine it wasn't timely enough to pack in more content against the GS.

Even if the GS became/becomes 4-door coupe, the ES really needs to cover the luxury side of things on the lower end like all other midsizers. Things the A7, CLS, and 6-Series were a bit lacking at the rear, that the A6, E, and 5er had to offer something comfort oriented, especially in Asian markets.

An ES priced from $39k USD to $65k would've been ideal, where a fully loaded ES 400 had a Dynamic Force 3.0L TTV6 AWD putting out 370 HP and a UL package with every option ticked (RES dual screens w/limited functions, cooled/heated rear seats, front massage, etc).

Indeed, I think when it comes to the design, since ES is so established and sells well for them, they are less willing to experiment in design compared to other new models or models that are not leaders in sale. Case in point new UX for instance, which is really out there, more so than any other Lexus model I remember.

When it comes to the engines, there are many rumors from Asia about 2.5t, did you hear anything about it? or AWD?

I wonder if there will be the head up display option.

I can’t imagine an ES without it.

Especially if they wanted to cancel the GS.

CrisB

I wonder if there will be the head up display option.

I can’t imagine an ES without it.

Especially if they wanted to cancel the GS.

Yeah, its in.

Carmaker1

Very nice design. I just find it so ironic, how both this and the Avalon are both on new platforms, yet they are so evolutionary in design. Yet, the predecessors looked so revolutionary! Seems deliberate. Very amusing how this happens with certain brands over the years, where a new top hat on old platform changes things up aesthetically, then subsequent new platform version can look like a refresh.

Same thing happening at Subaru.

renyeo

What saddens me is that Lexus is perceived to be depressing the pricepoints on its models. Or so is it?

Interesting point. Something went wrong along the way, in trying to compete at the same price with more for your money. BMW has that issue with the 750i/Li against the S550 (now S560).

Levi

Same thing happening at Subaru.

Well my friend, Subaru isn't really up there. It wasn't really a criticism, just an interesting observation I have noticed recently. As a past Jaguar engineer, I found it interesting how the X350 was all-new, yet deemed evolutionary based on styling.

spwolf

Indeed, I think when it comes to the design, since ES is so established and sells well for them, they are less willing to experiment in design compared to other new models or models that are not leaders in sale. Case in point new UX for instance, which is really out there, more so than any other Lexus model I remember.

When it comes to the engines, there are many rumors from Asia about 2.5t, did you hear anything about it? or AWD?

It's not really what I meant, but a good point nonetheless. Similarly based on sales success, BMW refused to make that mistake with the 2005 E90 3-Series and facelift Gen 1 E53 X5 (planned for late 2003 / MY2004) very last minute.

They stopped ﹰChris Bangle in his tracks in early 2002, just months after the 2002 7-Series was revealed during summer of 2001, before signing off on the final E90 exterior by designer Joji Nagashima (of 90s BMW fame) in March 2002. As late as early 2003, even more changes were ordered to the E90 taillights to simplify them ahead of December 2004 Job 1. Result wasn't as extreme as the 7-Series and 5-Series of that era.

Other than the ES, what Lexus model needs a conservative/evolutionary approach, to protect sales? I can only say, the RX. Ironically, the extreme AL20 RX jumped in sales to extreme heights for 2016 (best ever?):eek:, despite vocal hatred of the avant-garde design. I am thinking the IS will be the styling revolution, since the GS won't be debuting the new design language after being put on ice. Think LS+ in design, 5GS-F rendering. LS+ Concept was a look at the new IS, using LS body and also future LS changes.

Naturally the new ES was supposed to take after the 5LS design, but because the XF50 LS was designed so long ago (early 2010s), a new design language was already brewing, expected to be seen on 5GS next year.

Problem was, UX at the entry end couldn't debut it entirely and anything else isn't really a redesign (GX facelift) over the next year. Meaning, 2021 model year will introduce the new design language. Either with 600X code NX, 4??? code IS, or 650B code L? flagship CUV. The next LX is reportedly Job 1 of January 2020.

I think strategy is pretty obvious here. They are banking on Toyota reskins up to $60,000 price range, everything above it would be RWD pure Lexus. Let's wait and see what will happen with IS and RC two generations down the road.

I'll say it again, they are going to sell every last one. The Avalon has gotten very solid reviews so I'm sure Lexus won't miss the boat.

I foresee reviewers trying to figure out if this replaces the GS and how it being FWD with no AWD option keeps the door open for another GS.

The engine bay? Looks messy and unlike normal Lexus sealing off?

In the press release, if I’m not wrong, they did not mentioning VDIM, do you think they use the same technology as we have, just for example, in the IS300H?

Carmaker1

Interesting point. Something went wrong along the way, in trying to compete at the same price with more for your money. BMW has that issue with the 750i/Li against the S550 (now S560).

Genesis and some Kia models also look like trying to give more for same price, and doesn't seem doing that well. When competing on price in this industry, it might be better to find ways to give the same (if not more) for lower price. That is what the first gen LS did, no?

Rob Grieveson

The engine bay? Looks messy and unlike normal Lexus sealing off?

Assuming that's not just prototype-itis, I actually prefer that. I like seeing the actual engine when I open the hood and not some dumb plastic cover. (Yes, I know that ship sailed long ago even at the low end of the market).

So it has heated rear recliner, then it's an instant buy for me.

I didn't expect this but the ES will debut in the UK with 4 engines:

The range will include the ES 300h, on sale from December 2018, powered by a new self-charging hybrid system, together with the ES 200, ES 250 and ES 350 petrol engine models that will go on sale from September 2018.