Videos: The 2019 Lexus ES & ES F SPORT

Gecko

GS200t/GS 300: Introduced too late and after a massive ad campaign making fun of competitors for offering base four cylinder engines. Not cheap enough compared to GS 350 to be a real value player. Generally considered not worth the money. 2.0T is not up to par with competitors.

GS 300h: I have no real context for this car - can't comment.

GS 350: Carryover engine from 2007, lack of up-to-date technology, 2016 refresh was butchered, interior has not kept pace with rivals

GS 450h: Never once any advertising/marketing support from Lexus USA, has always been special order only, F-Sport was added late term

GS F: Shows up 4 years too late and 150 horsepower short.

The best thing this car ever had going for it was a great platform. That's really it.

Hey Hey Hey, Let's not forget about the GS430. I still have my 2006 GS430. My wife drives it everyday, absolutely loves it, still get's complaints on it (loaded black on black), and that V8 absolutely flies on that platform. The engine still sounds new.

Gecko

GS200t/GS 300: Introduced too late and after a massive ad campaign making fun of competitors for offering base four cylinder engines. Not cheap enough compared to GS 350 to be a real value player. Generally considered not worth the money. 2.0T is not up to par with competitors.

GS 300h: I have no real context for this car - can't comment.

GS 350: Carryover engine from 2007, lack of up-to-date technology, 2016 refresh was butchered, interior has not kept pace with rivals

GS 450h: Never once any advertising/marketing support from Lexus USA, has always been special order only, F-Sport was added late term

GS F: Shows up 4 years too late and 150 horsepower short.

The best thing this car ever had going for it was a great platform. That's really it.

And yet ES350 with Camry engine and a lot less hp sold like hot cakes... so did RX... so did NX with 2.0t, such subpar engine.

Only GS has problem selling with better version of same engines?

So once again, another proof that they invested a lot of money into GS and did not get return. Unlike with ES, which got least amount of money invested into, poorer version of those already poor engines and then sells like hot cakes.

KOHIPEET

After watching the new video showing the f-sport version in pure white, I have to say, it certainly is a really desirable car. The exterior design is spot-on. However, I still stand by my opinion, that if they want a chance at success here in Europe, they'll need to introduce a more powerful hybrid powertrain.

Would building the 2 litre turbo into a new hybrid engine make sense? The system could develop around 300 hp and the petrol engine could be tuned more towards fuel efficiency while they could use a Li-Ion battery to drive the electric motors.

I dont think they will do that due to the cost reasons. 450h was simply too expensive... but their future powertrain lineup certainly shows another all-new engine above 300h and below 500h.

Maybe if they can spread the cost across larger lineup, such as Highlander and RX, they can also make another "affordable" hybrid engine with more than 215hp?

Gecko

GS200t/GS 300: Introduced too late and after a massive ad campaign making fun of competitors for offering base four cylinder engines. Not cheap enough compared to GS 350 to be a real value player. Generally considered not worth the money. 2.0T is not up to par with competitors.

GS 300h: I have no real context for this car - can't comment.

GS 350: Carryover engine from 2007, lack of up-to-date technology, 2016 refresh was butchered, interior has not kept pace with rivals

GS 450h: Never once any advertising/marketing support from Lexus USA, has always been special order only, F-Sport was added late term

GS F: Shows up 4 years too late and 150 horsepower short.

The best thing this car ever had going for it was a great platform. That's really it.

So on point, thank you! There was no reason to allow the ES gradually step on the toes of larger/higher offerings generation-to-generation nor be so lazy with keeping the GS up to date. The New N cars were limited in ways, that the public saw no motivation to upgrade post refresh. Plus, new S-class and 5er surely don't help. Sales were reasonable, until facelift launched during the 8 weeks of 2015 and 2016 a steep decline.

They are having sour grapes about the low sales during 2016 and throwing a fit about it, when they didn't even put in enough effort. If you cannot execute midcycle changes well and maintain relevance, then don't expect any ******g sales! They knew this and want to express manufactured outrage, thus cancel it.

As you said, the ES has come out the way it is, as late 2015 and early 2016 would be when much the development programme was solidifying. Styling was set well over 2 years ago, locked in by mid-2016.

They weren't expecting this to be sole midsizer, so likely F-Sport and expansion to other markets was always in the cards.

RichieRich

Hey Hey Hey, Let's not forget about the GS430. I still have my 2006 GS430. My wife drives it everyday, absolutely loves it, still receives compliments on it (loaded black on black), and that V8 absolutely flies on that platform. The engine still sounds new.

The GS430 has no relevance to the incumbent generation GS and discussion related to its demise. Otherwise, GS460 and GS400 would be also brought up.

First Impressions of the 2019 Lexus ES & ES F SPORT

The ES, enhanced.

View the original article post

krew

View the original article post

krew sums it up much better than I ever could :).

@krew how was interior quality, how did it feel inside? Compared to ES, IS, GS, NX, etc? Thank you.

spwolf

I completely disagree with GS selling ES volume, it is $10k more expensive vehicle, it would not sell anywhere as close as 6x more than today.

There is no conspiracy against GS. It just got old and outdated and it seems to be too expensive for Lexus to produce so it does not make sense for them to push it when ES performs better ($10k incentives or lease deals like Q50 has).

Again, proof is in the pudding. GS internationally has pretty good powertrains, as we can see with NX and RX selling like crazy.

I too, have reached same general consensus as @Gecko, @mikeavelli, and @Carmaker1! I wholeheartedly stand by their points. I too, also mentioned exactly same thing they have said in another thread (I honestly forgot where it is LOL), however you responded the same thing like you've done to these guys. Look, to put it diplomatically, it's flat out incorrect. It is not because of the market, it was Lexus, who screwed this up in the first place.


The ultimate demise of our beloved GS, was because of Lexus' laziness and reluctance to actually put any effort into a product that will ACTUALLY make a difference. Everything is all Lexus' fault. It is not because of sales, customers, overall market or the car itself.


- They were the ones who chose to make an half-a**ed effort when developing the 4GS.

- They were the ones who didn't even give two sh*ts in terms of advertising and showing the world of what the GS is about, of what the GS is actually
capable of, that the GS...... was actually special, and not treated as the subordinate little sibling, tucked away in the corner, only for actually car enthusiasts (or Lexus Enthusiasts [pun not intended]) to recognize and take notice of the GS.

- They were the ones who allowed the damn dealers to go aimlessly loose for the ES, promote a weaker, more inferior product, that is in NO WAY close to the GS. Full stop. And what did they do? They stuffed customers into an ES and RX like damn sardines in a can, and shipped them off to oblivion.

- They were the ones who chose to display those two cars like supermodels, because they're much easier to deal with, for better or worse. I think you guys can understand what I mean by this, and I don't need to explain myself.

- They chose to fight other manufacturers by going the cheap, dirty and easy way. Make an obviously weaker product, and slash off the price. Because you know what? It's an Avalon with Lexus' internals and interior. You know what's funny? The Avalon's interior looks better. Want to know what's funnier? The Corolla Hatchback is miles better than that mess of an interior they put in the ES. It is honestly embarrassing what they're doing to themselves. I don't take back my statement either. Because I have defended everything about Lexus, but this 7ES is the biggest letdown, since forever.

- They ultimately pulverized their credentials by vaporizing the GS. If they have the audacity to blame sales, customers or even throw their damn dealers under the bus, which is obvious Lexus allowed this to happen, then they should immediately call it quits and throw in Mercedes-Benz/Porsche employees, with the exception of the Lexus takumi designers and reliability engineers. You tell me, isn't this an obvious sign that Lexus' new slogan "Experience Amazing", is through overly advertising their products into things that they're not? You know what would be easier? Actually build the real deal, to actually have the balls to truly step up, and actually fight the world's stage. The GS, LS, and IS are aspirational cars. They're cars that make you go "yeah, what an amazing car", to which I respond, they genuinely are.


It wasn't even a few weeks ago that I was defending the hell out of Lexus. But this single release of the 7ES, I am just nowhere.

- Honestly, how the hell are they actually proud of themselves, when they're BRAGGING that the ES has more rear legroom than the LS? ARE THEY ACTUALLY TRYING TO KILL THE LS? How about the lies they are stirring in terms of performance. I am actually more excited in regards to the new Corolla Hatchback than this new ES. It has been getting such amazing reviews for a Toyota, and I am proud of what they've achieved.

- What about the lackluster interior design? Don't even get me started on that. Of course quality is #1, but it looks hideous. I'd rather take the interiors from their non refreshed cars of this generation from BMW. And that's saying something.

- No AWD? Yeah. Screw you Lexus. It's so obvious that you're cost cutting even a fly with its minuscule brain can tell the mess you're in. Obviously sales are well for you guys, but the confusion you guys are stirring is beyond ridiculous.



I honestly believe this forum should put down the ES vs GS argument once and for all, for everyone's benefit. It would be much better if they slashed all RWD models and convert them to FWD. Don't worry. I'll personally support you. Just don't advertise us bs. It is hard for us to cope with the stress.

However, if we do want to keep the argument alive, there is only one solution for this. That's for Lexus to have a revolution in their lineup. You still have a chance to fix this, but boy will it take a while. I would have to create another thread of the things I think Lexus needs to do to actually be able to fight in the world's stage, once and for all.

I really apologize for these strong words that I may have used. But you can honestly understand my point of view.

In short @spwolf, my response is this. It is easy to sell and do well with an inferior car. There will be plenty of success, but they won't have an ounce of credentials. However, if they execute and honestly TRY to develop a car with the aura of specialness (is that even a word?), to work hard and stand behind their core competencies, to be sporty, yet luxurious or vise versa. To try to transcend the medium and conduct something with blood, sweat, tears and NOT through being cheap. To try to actually open their coffers and spill EVERYTHING into a car, like many manufacturers, not only will they get sales, not only will everyone be happy, not only will they be successful, they will also have the credentials that they're dying to get from the world and the genuine recognition from other manufacturers. It's honestly as simple as that.

What Lexus is doing right now, my response to them is that "you can't have your cake and eat it too" by doing it this way. They need to change.

I agree with your post @F1 Silver Arrows, as that is one of the most on point criticisms I have read. I am thinking like what @Gecko had said to me, certain decision making was made so belatedly, that the ES wasn't able to be developed to replace GS with AWD and stay on time.

Problem I have is, they might try to deceptively market it as such. I will not accept that and will call them out on it. With that being said, I think we should try and dissolve any non-ES discussion in this thread, in order to avoid going off topic too long.

KOHIPEET

Would building the 2 litre turbo into a new hybrid engine make sense? The system could develop around 300 hp and the petrol engine could be tuned more towards fuel efficiency while they could use a Li-Ion battery to drive the electric motors.

Yes it would. Actually a turbo hybrid is the perfect combo since it hides turbo lag and improves drivability significantly.

The only downside is that a turbo ICE has lower peak thermal efficiency than a naturally aspirated one. Therefore such a hybrid system may not be optimal for fuel efficiency, but it's a HUGE step over a gas engine nonetheless.

Carmaker1

I agree with your post With that being said, I think we should try and dissolve any non-ES discussion in this thread, in order to avoid going off topic too long.

True, that's enough ES vs GS debate for now. We have been doing this since like two years ago and repeated the same thing again and again.

Why is the ES not available with AWD? And why oh why is rear legroom bigger than the LS??? I am shocked!

@krew Please compare the 2019 ES vs 2018 LS: design, dimensions, tech etc. and highlight the shocking difference:

• ES has Carplay and Alexa. The LS doesn't!
• ES has more legroom!
• ES looks like the LS, at least from the front and side profile...

Many thanks

spwolf

@krew how was interior quality, how did it feel inside? Compared to ES, IS, GS, NX, etc? Thank you.

To be completely honest, the interiors were black and the cars were revealed outside at night -- getting a good sense of the interior was next to impossible. I did notice some pre-production materials around the steering wheel and on the doors as well.

I really liked the cabin overall -- like most of the new Lexus interiors, everything wraps around the driver and gives a real sense of occasion. The 12.3" screen impressed me, despite already seeing it in the LC & LS.

The one thing that's stuck with me? The ES F SPORT front seats are magnificent. Ample side bolsters, but still like sitting on a cloud. Immediately impressed.

Carmaker1

With that being said, I think we should try and dissolve any non-ES discussion in this thread, in order to avoid going off topic too long.

Agreed. Lexus doesn't see the ES as a GS replacement, we don't see the ES as a GS replacement. If this had been communicated up front, we could have avoided all the comparisons and appreciated the new ES for what it is.

The failures of the GS rest with the model itself and what Lexus did/didn't do to support it. Couple that with a US market that no longer interested in cars, and...

F1 Silver Arrows

In short @spwolf, my response is this. It is easy to sell and do well with an inferior car. There will be plenty of success, but they won't have an ounce of credentials. However, if they execute and honestly TRY to develop a car with the aura of specialness (is that even a word?), to work hard and stand behind their core competencies, to be sporty, yet luxurious or vise versa. To try to transcend the medium and conduct something with blood, sweat, tears and NOT through being cheap. To try to actually open their coffers and spill EVERYTHING into a car, like many manufacturers. For god's sakes, they're the most powerful manufacturer in the world. This way, not only will they get sales, not only will everyone be happy, not only will they be successful, they will also have the credentials that they're dying to get from the world and the genuine recognition from other manufacturers. It's honestly as simple as that.

@F1 Silver Arrows, you did a great job with your post -- really managed to capture the dichotomy of the ES/GS argument. The reason I quote this passage specifically is because Lexus did exactly this with the LC. All hope is not lost. :)

Thanks for all of your kind responses everyone! I value the amount of respect we have between each other and in this forum. Obviously, my slight "tirade" toward Lexus was through the culmination of feelings that we've been experiencing. I simply decided to take some time to really break down this issue. I thought it would give everyone great insight! Thanks for the love! :)

Yeah, in response to @Carmaker1, this is not something that we should ultimately give a slap on the wrist, they need to be exposed to the predicament that they've caused and not be self-absorbed into everything. I can feel for these people, because it is hard to come back out of such an issue.

To @krew, that's exactly what I want from Lexus. If they put the same effort they've did in the LC, and also LS (LS may have a few issues including the absence of the V8, but is still a great product), they would knock everything out of the park. They can afford to conduct such high levels of research and development. Even Mazda (ironically has some help from Toyota) is doing groundbreaking development in regards to their future cars. If Mazda can really push the envelope with what they can afford, Toyota can do that ten-fold (and that's probably an understatement there). I do understand the role of the accountants or I like to colloquially say "bean counters", but they need to mostly back off when it comes to these cars.

ssun30

Yes it would. Actually a turbo hybrid is the perfect combo since it hides turbo lag and improves drivability significantly.

The only downside is that a turbo ICE has lower peak thermal efficiency than a naturally aspirated one. Therefore such a hybrid system may not be optimal for fuel efficiency, but it's a HUGE step over a gas engine nonetheless.



True, that's enough ES vs GS debate for now. We have been doing this since like two years ago and repeated the same thing again and again.

Err...... why is my name highlighted?

@krew Care to explain why the ES has a longer passenger cabin than the LS? How does it have a longer legroom when the LS is 8 inches longer? I know transverse FWD platform has inherent advantage in interior space, but Lexus did waste a lot of length on that front overhang you know.

F1 Silver Arrows

Err...... why is my name highlighted?

Oops, messed up the BB code. Fixed.

I have already said Wow I think looks very good, one question why is the engine bay so exposed? A lots of wiring and pump wires etc all visible surely there will be a cover over this in the production vehicles?

ssun30

Care to explain why the ES has a longer passenger cabin than the LS? How does it have a longer legroom when the LS is 8 inches longer? I know transverse FWD platform has inherent advantage in interior space, but Lexus did waste a lot of length on that front overhang you know.

LS is about 10 inch longer overall and in wheels base. Knowing the LS has its overhangs almost as long as the ES, yet having some distance between the front wheel and the front door, it loses the 10 inch length advantage, if not more, in terms of cabin length.

Carmaker1

I am thinking like what @Gecko had said to me, certain decision making was made so belatedly, that the ES wasn't able to be developed to replace GS with AWD and stay on time.

That sounds very likely, but I'm optimistically clinging to hope that, somehow, 7ES eventually gets a well-engineered AWD option during a future model year, perhaps in conjunction with either an "ES 450h" performance hybrid or even (gasp!) an ES-F. I do note, however, ssun30's observations atop page 4 of this thread that E-Four is not a good AWD system for performance applications.

Only then will ES be a truly worthy GS replacement.

Carmaker1

With that being said, I think we should try and dissolve any non-ES discussion in this thread, in order to avoid going off topic too long.

Point taken, but I do feel that I need to post some numbers which clearly show why Lexus decided to kill GS in favor of ES. A text conversation with krew last night led me to Google "2017 global Lexus sales by model", with the first result being a page on focus2move.com.

ES was, worldwide, the 3rd best-selling Lexus vehicle in 2017. Its 133,340 units sold were only exceeded by NX (148,377) and RX (163, 646). Most notably, ES was one of only 2 Lexus lines to show increased sales globally versus 2016. (ES +8% and NX +1.4%). And GS? It was #8 out of 10 Lexus lines tallied by focus2move, trailed only by RC and LS (the latter transitioning from 4th to 5th generation during 2017). Most notably, GS reported the steepest percentage drop (a 41.3% drop from 27,770 units sold globally in 2016 to 16,304 units in 2017).

With numbers like those, it's no wonder that Lexus bean counters pulled the plug on GS.

Quick little look at the ES reveal at the Beijing Motor Show

Regarding the ES and Lexus overall, I know it may not play a huge role for most, but there are some things I do not like lately. I do not exactly know how to call these details, it is not design, because it is not really style, but still something visual and technical.

1. I have already mentioned the sloppy rear window, I prefer more upright with the flatter trunk. I know aerodynamics, but on a three-box-car, it does not look good to me.

2. I usually do not like when sedans have a small glass window behind the rear door (like Audi). I prefer the way BMW, Mercedes and Lexus do it. But in this case, unlike the yet current/soon previous ES, I do not like how the trim extends behind the door, for no reason. The new LS has a windows behind, the concept was better without.


3. I prefer when the rear door line is straight rather than curved around the wheel (like BMW for example), or cuts straight through the fender ( like Lexus GX). I can accept curved around the fender like most Lexus. On the XV60 the fender line is the same one as the door shutline. If there is some distance between the fender line and the door shutline, that is fine too, maybe even better. But here it is the worst possible execution: the door line cuts through the fender line, but instead of going through the fender arc surface till the fender edge, it stops in the middle and follows the fender arc from the wrong side. This drives me mad, same thing on the new LS.

ssun30

@krew Care to explain why the ES has a longer passenger cabin than the LS? How does it have a longer legroom when the LS is 8 inches longer? I know transverse FWD platform has inherent advantage in interior space, but Lexus did waste a lot of length on that front overhang you know.


Oops, messed up the BB code. Fixed.

LS has engine behind the axle, ES has in front, this frees up wheelbase for cabin.

But also do not just read the specs... for instance I bet LS has much more relaxed seating at the back, and much nicer angle. I am 6.1" 250lbs and I have maximum comfort in front and back of LS. There is simply no way that back seat of ES is as comfortable as in LS, the angle of seat back and bottom cushion is going to be very different. Also I bet front seats of LS take up much more space.

Joaquin Ruhi

I think this post from TheNerdyPotato on the separate Toyota & Lexus Future Powertrain Discussion thread is also relevant here:



Toyota has touted its "multiple hybrid" (some fuel economy-oriented, others geared more towards performance) strategy going forward, with the European 3rd-gen Auris clearly an example of this. Outside North America, Lexus GS buyers have had a choice of an economical GS 300h or a performance GS 450h.

My point? If, indeed, ES winds up replacing the full GS line, we may well see an ES 450h with a naturally-aspirated V6 hybrid powertrain (be it the current 2GR-FXS from the RX 450h or a new variant of the V35A V6 engine family), with enthusiast-friendly tricks such as E-Four AWD and Direct Shift CVT.

I was curious to see how much the hypothetical "ES450h" would cost so I looked at the difference between the RX350 and RX450h and Highlander V6 vs Hybrid. Going by MSRP, the RX came with a $2,424 hybrid premium and the Highlander with a $2,595 premium. ES has a $2,810 premium to upgrade to a smaller, less powerful motor. Going from a Camry LE 4cyl to a Hybrid LE is +$3,800, which is more understandable due to 4cyl vs 4cyl.

What this brings to my attention is that, IMO, the ES has a pricing problem. Maybe it's hidden in the margins on the larger vehicles, or the V6 hybrid system is somehow less expensive than the 4cyl, but this just seems off to me.

(all prices listed in USD based on 2018 models)

Joaquin Ruhi

Point taken, but I do feel that I need to post some numbers which clearly show why Lexus decided to kill GS in favor of ES. A text conversation with krew last night led me to Google "2017 global Lexus sales by model", with the first result being a page on focus2move.com.

ES was, worldwide, the 3rd best-selling Lexus vehicle in 2017. Its 133,340 units sold were only exceeded by NX (148,377) and RX (163, 646). Most notably, ES was one of only 2 Lexus lines to show increased sales globally versus 2016. (ES +8% and NX +1.4%). And GS? It was #8 out of 10 Lexus lines tallied by focus2move, trailed only by RC and LS (the latter transitioning from 4th to 5th generation during 2017). Most notably, GS reported the steepest percentage drop (a 41.3% drop from 27,770 units sold globally in 2016 to 16,304 units in 2017).

With numbers like those, it's no wonder that Lexus bean counters pulled the plug on GS.

I am going to go step ahead and complain why is not Lexus investing even more money into ES. As you can see by those sales stats, ES is their sedan sales leader by far, and it wasnt even a worldwide vehicle... I can see ES selling over 200k worldwide and its design and features need to be priority for Lexus.

I do think that those rumors of 2.5t for ES are true, and lets hope it brings AWD with it too. It is not really for my market here in Europe, but it would be nice worldwide.

450h powertrain would be overkill for ES, especially since it would need real awd which would then bring down mpg a lot.

e-Four system with 40hp at the back is not going to change things dynamically for ES... it is useful for SUVs when starting up on icy incline and low speed snow runs so you dont get stuck, but it is not performance awd.

TheNerdyPotato

I was curious to see how much the hypothetical "ES450h" would cost so I looked at the difference between the RX350 and RX450h and Highlander V6 vs Hybrid. Going by MSRP, the RX came with a $2,424 hybrid premium and the Highlander with a $2,595 premium. ES has a $2,810 premium to upgrade to a smaller, less powerful motor. Going from a Camry LE 4cyl to a Hybrid LE is +$3,800, which is more understandable due to 4cyl vs 4cyl.

What this brings to my attention is that, IMO, the ES has a pricing problem. Maybe it's hidden in the margins on the larger vehicles, or the V6 hybrid system is somehow less expensive than the 4cyl, but this just seems off to me.

(all prices listed in USD based on 2018 models)

New premium is likely going to be $1k, like in Avalon. Lexus has reduced hybrid premiums in NX, RX in past few months and Toyota has done it in new Avalon too.

They did not change ES price since new one is coming in few months.

spwolf

e-Four system with 40hp at the back is not going to change things dynamically for ES... it is useful for SUVs when starting up on icy incline and low speed snow runs so you dont get stuck, but it is not performance awd.

Agreed, which is why I brought up the old HybridR concept with 120hp on the rear axle.

spwolf

New premium is likely going to be $1k, like in Avalon. Lexus has reduced hybrid premiums in NX, RX in past few months and Toyota has done it in new Avalon too.

They did not change ES price since new one is coming in few months.

Oh, good. I hadn't kept up with it in a long time.

spwolf

I am going to go step ahead and complain why is not Lexus investing even more money into ES. As you can see by those sales stats, ES is their sedan sales leader by far, and it wasnt even a worldwide vehicle... I can see ES selling over 200k worldwide and its design and features need to be priority for Lexus.

I do think that those rumors of 2.5t for ES are true, and lets hope it brings AWD with it too. It is not really for my market here in Europe, but it would be nice worldwide.

450h powertrain would be overkill for ES, especially since it would need real awd which would then bring down mpg a lot.

e-Four system with 40hp at the back is not going to change things dynamically for ES... it is useful for SUVs when starting up on icy incline and low speed snow runs so you dont get stuck, but it is not performance awd.

ES needs AWD not for performance, but just for grip in winter.

Car Fan

• ES has Carplay and Alexa. The LS doesn't!

Well Corolla has CarPlay too? :).

I also bet that LS will actually get CarPlay sooner than ES? But they cant say that since it would make people wait for it.

krew

Lexus doesn't see the ES as a GS replacement, we don't see the ES as a GS replacement. If this had been communicated up front, we could have avoided all the comparisons and appreciated the new ES for what it is.

The failures of the GS rest with the model itself and what Lexus did/didn't do to support it. Couple that with a US market that no longer interested in cars, and...

That's what kind of annoys me about the pages of GS rage that precede this: the whole "ES will be designed to also be a GS replacement" was made up out of thin air by the Internet (and yeah, I participated, and yeah it was fun). Lexus never gave any hints that that was going to be the case, and it's pretty silly to hold them to something they never said would be the case. If I made a thread where we all decided the next IS should transform into a humanoid robot that looks like Akio Toyoda we can't very well be angry at Lexus when that doesn't happen.

The 7ES taken strictly as a new ES looks to me like another home run. I still wouldn't be surprised if they introduced some sort of AWD version a bit later (maybe at the refresh) because it's such an obvious thing for many markets (parts of the US and all of Canada and Russia). As @Levi said it doesn't need to be performance AWD, just "move the car when it's in snow" AWD.

Ian Schmidt

That's what kind of annoys me about the pages of GS rage that precede this: the whole "ES will be designed to also be a GS replacement" was made up out of thin air by the Internet (and yeah, I participated, and yeah it was fun).

There's a thin line between "the ES is replacing the GS" and "the GS is being cancelled and the ES will remain", and we all tripped over it. :joy:

With all that been said, I think currently Toyota has a better Idea of what they are aiming for in their Line up. The new corolla and Rav 4 is a testament to this.
As for Lexus IMO everything released this Year is just a placeholder. Lets put something new out there for now to keep the cash flowing in while figure out all this mess. Lets start from the RXL (why not wait for the RX redesign to build a proper RXL from scratch?) LX 2 row (Lets make more money flow in. GX owner can upgrade also) LS (even though it's new we can all agree there is something incomplete about it. Be it legroom, car play, engine name it. I still feel like there is a V8 somewhere for the LS and I hope is not just for an LSF). I actually like the new ES for what it is and not as GS replacement.

So IMO 2020 is the year to be on the lookout for when talking about significant expectation from Lexus (Tokyo 2020)