Lexus slices ES’ appearance and price
ES no longer looks like a Camry-in-a-suit and it’s more affordable
LAUNCHED here in November 2013 as a more affordable but conservative alternative to luxury German sedans like the E-Class and A6, the Lexus ES has undergone a midlife facelift along with ... wait for it ... a price cut.
The money saving was achieved by removing the pricey in-car navigation system that came standard, which has pruned R14 700 off the price of the ES 250 model and R16 600 off the ES 300h.
Apart from sending some new business Garmin’s and TomTom’s way, the updated new ES has undergone a much-needed facelift to make it look like less of a Camry-ina-suit. The sportier styling, along with a spruced-up interior and enhanced driving dynamics, looks set to bring the ES into the radar scope of younger (or at least more youngat-heart) buyers.
The headlights and fog light surrounds have both been reshaped with a fresher, more pointy design which transform the car’s formerly understated front end into something more modern-looking.
To bring it into styling sync with other new Lexus models, the headlamps also get Daytime Run- ning Lights in the shape of the Nike swoosh while the slightly redesigned taillight cluster gets an “L”-shaped theme. Completing the revamp, the ES 250 has new chrome-tipped rectangular exhaust tips while both models are equipped with newly-designed ‘directional’ 17” wheels.
The interior’s been glammed up with new trim to make it feel more upmarket, while a smaller-diameter steering wheel is further evidence that the ES is looking to shake off its fuddy-duddy image.
The ergonomics are improved too, courtesy of a larger 4.2” colour multi-information display.
Apart from the deletion of factory-fitted navigation, both ES versions are as feature-stuffed as before and the standard menu includes items like leather seats, climate control, moonroof, electrically-adjustable and heated front seats, and reversing camera, among others.
Safety fare includes Blind Spot Monitoring with Lane Change Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert which detects unseen vehicles when reversing in a busy car park. A new feature is Hill Assist Control – standard on both models.
Having already established a reputation for its cushy ride, the ES has now added sharper handling to the equation thanks to structural revisions to the chassis.
A sound-reducing layer has also been added behind the dashboard to better isolate engine noise from the cabin.
Mechanically the car is unchanged, and as before the ES 250 is powered by by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder normally-aspirated petrol with outputs of 135kW and 235Nm for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint in 9.8 seconds and a top speed of over 200km/h.
Powering the front wheels, the six-speed auto transmission offers Eco, Normal and Sport settings.
The Lexus ES 300h hybrid combines a 2.5 petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 151kW output, with a CVT gearbox. It scoots to 100km/h in a claimed 8.5 seconds and onto a governed 180km/h top speed, and sips a mere 5.5 litres/100km according to the factory.
PRICES ES 250 - R464 200 ES 300h - R549 100