Toyota Announces Lexus ES 250 AWD with 203 Horsepower

Posted by Kevin on August 20th, 2020

All wheel drive is finally coming to the Lexus ES sedan, with the 203 horsepower ES 250 AWD set to arrive at dealerships later this year. The ES 250 AWD is powered by a 203 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, with an estimated fuel economy of 28 combined MPG. A F SPORT package will also be offered.

Lexus ES 250

Here’s the Lexus press release explaining the new AWD system:

Dynamic Torque Control AWD can provide effective traction for inclement and slippery weather while minimizing AWD’s typical drag on fuel economy. The system can direct up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels, in response to acceleration from a start or slippage at the front wheels.

When AWD isn’t needed, the electromagnetic controlled coupling on the rear drive axle can disengage the propeller shaft to help prioritize fuel efficiency. The AWD is designed to re-engage in an instant, when needed, and its operation is transparent to the driver and passengers.

Lexus ES: Seventh GenerationTechUSA
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Joaquin Ruhi

Joaquin Ruhi

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2021_Lexus_ES_Black_Line_SE_001-1024x731.jpg


That looks hot! Imagine that with the ES 350 engine and a sport-tuned, torque-vectoring AWD system. Now that would be a worthy GS successor. Such a wasted opportunity... 😠
 
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Sulu

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James said:
Wait AWD only on the I4?? WTF! How is a GS 350 owner going to switch to that! Ha wtf Lexus!
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This is just the long-anticipated implementation on the ES of the Engineered-in-America AWD drivetrain first introduced on the Camry and Avalon. As was said at the time of the Camry AWD and Avalon AWD introduction, this is the RAV4's AWD drivetrain engineered to fit the TNGA-K platform sedans.

The question that still remains (and never answered if I remember correctly) is why the V6 AWD drivetrain on the TNGA-K platform Highlander could not be made to fit on the TNGA-K Camry, Avalon and ES.
 
Gecko

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Sulu said:
The question that still remains (and never answered if I remember correctly) is why the V6 AWD drivetrain on the TNGA-K platform Highlander could not be made to fit on the TNGA-K Camry, Avalon and ES.
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I don't think it's a matter of "can it work?" but rather "is it worth it?" It's pretty obvious that Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD was built for GA-K because the hardware is there on the RAV4 and Highlander. Using the older Dynamic Torque Control AWD and pairing only to the 4 cylinder instead was a cheaper volume play for Toyota, which makes sense for the Camry and Avalon.

You would think that as a more expensive luxury offering, the ES would be entitled to better hardware, but it does not seem Toyota/Lexus think so. ES 350 AWD with DTV AWD would be pretty compelling, but alas, this is Lexus we are talking about 🙃
 
krew

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20-08-20-lexus-es-250-awd.jpg

All wheel drive is finally coming to the Lexus ES sedan, with the 203 horsepower ES 250 AWD set to arrive at dealerships later this year. The ES 250 AWD is powered by a 203 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, with an estimated fuel economy of 28 combined MPG. A F SPORT package will also be offered.
20-08-20-toyota-es-250.jpg

Here’s the Lexus press release explaining the new AWD system:

Dynamic Torque Control AWD can provide effective traction for inclement and slippery weather while minimizing AWD’s typical drag on fuel economy. The system can direct up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels, in response to acceleration from a start or slippage at the front wheels.
When AWD isn’t needed, the electromagnetic controlled coupling on the rear drive axle can disengage the propeller shaft to help prioritize fuel efficiency. The AWD is designed to...
Click to expand...

Continue reading...
 
FloridaBoy98

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super51fan said:
That's exactly how I am in a 5 series lol. I would have settled for the smaller IS but there is no way I was going to spend that money on a FWD car in that segment. If I wanted a FWD V6, I would have just bought a 2010 Camry
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I might be joining you next year lol. Getting rid of this ES for something RWD or AWD. Was looking forward to a AWD V6 ES but sadly thats not happening. IS is too small for me...maybe if I was 5’2
 
Will1991

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@Gecko , given you post about the ES using a older AWD system... They seem to be trying to make Lexus not a Toyota+ but a Toyota+\- really...
Even I, seeing myself as a pro-Toyota, am struggling to understand this type of decisions towards Lexus...

@krew , perfect ES selection! Red really is the best color for a Lexus (unless it’s the UX, solid paint on a premium car in 2020...)!
 
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shizhi

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When Toyota registered the "ES250" trademark in the United States, Camry AWD and Avalon AWD only provide 2.5L N/A power, we should know that there will be such an ES250 AWD for the U.S. market. The launch of this car is not to meet the lack of GS, more likely just to share the cost.
 
mikeavelli

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One only has to see the majority of the comments on social media to see this is extremely underwhelming.

2021 TLX and ES. TLX will have 80hp more more in base form with a far more advanced optional AWD or 150 more with the type S.

I can only hope this is some sort of stop gap car for something better in the future.
 
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Berto3818

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everyone can knock it all they want but the joke will be on everyone when this sells like hot cakes. It’s going to sell and it’s going to sell big. People who can’t afford the 6 will get this count it. Also don’t understand why there is so much hate towards the brand I’ve noticed it a lot lately. Yeah they aren’t doing what we want but we have to trust they know what they are doing.
 
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Sulu

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mikeavelli said:
One only has to see the majority of the comments on social media to see this is extremely underwhelming.

2021 TLX and ES. TLX will have 80hp more more in base form with a far more advanced optional AWD or 150 more with the type S.

I can only hope this is some sort of stop gap car for something better in the future.
Click to expand...
Comments on social media may not be a true indication of the real-world demand for a vehicle. Social media is an echo chamber -- a certain perspective (usually the louder, "enthusiast" community who want loud noise and high horsepower) usually drowns out the other (quieter) perspective. So you only hear from one perspective without hearing from the other. Experience tells me that the enthusiast community is a minority rather than a majority in the market.
 
James

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Berto3818 said:
everyone can knock it all they want but the joke will be on everyone when this sells like hot cakes. It’s going to sell and it’s going to sell big. People who can’t afford the 6 will get this count it. Also don’t understand why there is so much hate towards the brand I’ve noticed it a lot lately. Yeah they aren’t doing what we want but we have to trust they know what they are doing.
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Trust what though? What has the brand done lately that had been exciting? LCC absolutely looks amazing. But what else? Nothing. If the best thing is AWD V-4 ES were in trouble.

I think your right people will buy them but it’s not exciting cars. Lexus will remain better than Toyota but will not be able to compete with the Germans.
 
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