Lenscap

Actually, the ES has always had a 5-year cycle with the cosmetic refresh happening in year 4 (not counting of course the short-lived ES 250).

2nd Generation:
1992 - 1996
Refresh in 1995

3rd Generation:
1997 - 2001
Refresh in 2000

4th Generation:
2002 - 2006
Refresh in 2005

mhc0725

I think some are mistaking the tail lights (the two outer lights at the rear) with the center brake light in the middle (above the trunk). The ES300/330 never had LED tail lights. I'm not even sure if the middle brake light was LED or not.

LED lights are good and all that from a safety stand point, but when the LED's slowly burn out, some tail lights look really bad with a few LEDs blown. I'm not sure if an individual LED can be replaced, or if you have to replace the whole assembly.

lexusls430

You have to replace the whole assembly, and ive always thought about that. Leds do look good but they will at some point burn out. Each LED is soldered on a circuit board, if you have some soldering capabilities im sure you can solder a new led it but im not sure.

foofighter

that's what warranties are for I do find that odd that the new ES350 doesnt have LED tailights when the IS, GS, LS does.

Hell Toyota has put LED tails on just about all their cars

amf1932

The ES350 doesn't have LED tailights, but the high mount brake light has LED's.

mhc0725

Exactly, the RAV4 has LED tail lights for crying out loud... why the ES350 doesn't is beyond me, but I guess that's what mid-cycle "enhancements" are for. For LED, they might even come in before mid-cycle. We'll see I guess...

amf1932

Might I ask.......What's the big deal with LCD lights???

qliu34

LEDs light up faster than conventional light bulbs. It translates to 15-20 extra feet for breaking if traveling at 60 MPH

TheRupp

I'm astounded that the Highlander, Prius, and Camry (and there's probably more I can't think of right now) have LED taillights, and the IS250, priced below the ES350, has them.

jeffofla

They are also brighter and use less energy.

amf1932

So, as I said before, the high mount brake light uses LCD's. This negates the argument about safety, and the amount of energy saved is negligible.

foofighter

i noticed today that the outgoing E46 BMW 330 had the entire rear assembly LED...yet the newest E90 330 doesnt! I dont understand car makers sometimes.

07LexusGuy

Others in the Toyota family that offers LED tail lights includes the new RAV4 and the 4Runner. Funny isn't it? When a $20,300 RAV4 have LED tailights and the ES costing twice as much does not even offer it. Granted, the ES offers plenty more of other things not found on any Toyota cars, but I think I can live without LEDs. I've driven cars rather safely w/o them since I have my license, I don't think its really a big deal. But of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

S L I C K

It's weird that the 2007 ES 350 doesn't have LEDs. Besides the safety function of LEDs, they just look so damn cool on 2006 GS.

mhc0725

Yes, the high mount is LED, but for me, it's always been more about uniformity. There have been cars for years now that have the regular light bulb brake lights with LED center bulbs (the cheap Ford Taurus for example). It's just that if you have all three lights LED, then it doesn't matter where the driver behind you happens to be focusing on, he/she will see the light activate at the same rate. The center light is LED, but what if the driver behind you just happens to be focusing at a line of sight that is peripheral to the side brake lights...

Ahhh... just minor thing, but to me it's sort of a way for Lexus to 'cut corners' on a $43K vehicle (base $33K ha ha)