A sedan that pampers passengers
ES is probably the most quintessentially Lexus model in this Japanese automaker’s lineup.
Acornerstone product since it launched alongside the LS flagship four-door back in 1989, it’s always been a paragon of smoothness, comfort and quality; virtues that form the bedrock of Lexus’ success.
And even though Toyota’s luxury division is actively trying to distance itself from these arguably less-than-thrilling qualities by pushing bolder design and entering new vehicle segments, there will always be a market for cars that prioritize refinement, luxury and bulletproof dependability over flashin-the-pan gimmicks and highfashion design.
All new for 2019, the seventhgeneration ES sedan continues to pamper well-heeled passengers as it always has, but it does so with more pizzazz and emotional appeal than ever before. Square One ES shares numerous components and a few important dimensions with the Toyota Avalon. Compared to its predecessor, this car is 66 mm longer overall, a whisker lower, nearly 46 mm with a wheelbase that’s been stretched by 51 mm. This makes it more spacious and comfortable and better to drive.
Perusing the range, the ES 350 is the mainstream, gasolinepowered version and will account for the overwhelming majority of sales. As before, a hybrid variant will also be offered, the ES 300h, which is estimated to account for around 15 per cent of deliveries, give or take. Brand new for ’19 is a fashion-forward F Sport version, which brings new features and design to this stalwart nameplate. These models are expected to account for around 25 per cent of all deliveries.
Two powertrains will be available in this latest Lexus. Mainline and F Sport versions brandish a 3.5-litre gasoline V6 that’s rated at 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of peak torque. It comes exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission that routes twist to the front wheels. Aside from gaining 34 hp and 19 torques, this drivetrain is more economical than ever. Fuel economy is estimated at 10.7 L/100 km in the city and 7.1 L/100 km on highway drives, scores that result in a combined rating of 9.0 L/100 km.
A hybrid variant will once again be available. ES 300h versions feature a 2.5-litre fourcylinder engine that’s aided by a pair of motor-generators and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This miserly dream team delivers a total system output of 215 hp with combined fuel economy estimated at 5.4 L/100 km, the best of any plug-less luxury vehicle on the market. But how does it drive? As one would expect from a Lexus ES, the 2019 model is smooth and silent, unperturbed by all but the most severe of road imperfections. Despite such a coddling ride, it never feels sloppy or loose. The steering system is isolated, fil- tering out unwanted vibration and harshness while still providing desirable heft and decent road feel; there’s just the right amount of softness to the ES’s handling without it feeling completely numb.
This car’s mainline 302-hp, 3.5-litre V6 is smooth throughout its rev range, with electronic vacuum-controlled engine mounts suppressing vibration at idle. However, even with 267 lb-ft of maximum torque, the ES doesn’t feel quite as quick as it should. Acceleration is more than adequate with this bulky sedan hitting 100 km/h from a dead stop in a claimed 6.6 seconds, but in real-world use, it feels less responsive.
While slick both up and down, the standard eight-speed automatic transmission doesn’t seem to help this car sprint. It’s reluctant to drop gears when you floor the accelerator or shift it yourself. Apparently, Toyota engineers are terrified of letting their engines go anywhere near redline, which, oddly enough, has been increased to 6,600 rpm for 2019. If you try to downshift the ES it won’t drop a gear if the revs would top 4,000, which is ridiculous.
But there’s more undesirable transmission behaviour worth mentioning. In manual mode it has a mind of its own, upshifting whenever it fancies and ignoring commands from the paddle shifters or gear selector. It simply won’t allow you to control shifts yourself, even in F Sport models. After briefly sampling the hybrid ES 300h, I found it a little noisy, with fourcylinder gruffness making itself heard under heavy loads. Don’t fret though, it’s still a paragon of smoothness and efficiency. When it comes to skipping the gas pump you won’t be disappointed with this model. The verdict The 2019 ES 350 is just the right kind of Lexus. Refined and comfortable, it’s incredibly easy to live with. I much preferred it to the equally new Toyota Avalon I tested a couple months before because it feels like a much-more-cohesive package.
Pricing has not been announced, but we’ve been told it will be very similar to the current model, which starts at right around $50,000 in Canada. Look for it at dealerships this September.