pseconds

So today a guy came up to me as I was getting in my red 2010 es350, and asked me how I like my Hyundai. I was sort of confused, then he asked again, so I said "you mean this car?" He said yes, I told him it was a Lexus.

Just by chance, as I was leaving another parking lot, I noticed a red Hyundai Genesis. From the side, it sort of does look like an ES. And so does the Buick LaCrosse.

What other cars could be confusingly similar to the ES? And who copied who?

LexBob2

Not sure who copied who but your gen of ES350 came out as a 2007 model in April/May of 2006. Before the Lacrosse and maybe prior to the Genesis.

mspearl95

i've noticed that the new kias and hyundais all have a lot of body similarities to Lexus. There are new fords that have a similar bullnose to the 2013 lexus line as well. Not sure who is copying who, it seems all cars are starting to kind of look alike.

garsarno

I've noticed red Hyundais around that at a glance, look like our ES350. Sounds like the stranger commenting just wanted to be a wise guy.

igzy

IMO, many care are looking alike today and can tell them apart only by a badge they wear. I find this generation of ES quite unique so the comment OP heard was a first...

On a similar note: my neighbor has a VW Passat and a Kia Magentis, both in black, and without the badge there is no way to tell them apart :P I think these are the models he has:

iceblast

The 2010 sonata looks like it ripped off the ES 350's styling ... I mean the ES styling is pretty subdued, but it looks like that was what they were going for.

The 2013 altima also has been mistaken for my car by people. Oh well, lexus was ahead of the game in styling at that point. Now they have introduced the spindle grill to try and differentiate themselves (erm, not totally sold). I personally like the LS 460 07-12 models, which I think they shouldn't have revamped so much.

ES350drivr

I think the KIA Optima is the closest "copy" of the ES. A lot of cars started with the short trunk lid and more sloped rear window, but the Optima seems to capture a lot of similar lines the ES has. I can tell the difference with all of these cars and the ES is still a better looking car. The only thing inferior are styling of the head and tail lights IMO.

ThumperPup

IMO i have never liked kia or hyuandi
becausse its like they dont have anyone that knows how to design a car they cut corners and save a few bucks on
designers
because its almost like they say to there people ok take the front end of a Mercedes and the rear end of a lexus

or hey how about we take the front end of a rolls or 300 and add that to the rear end of a bmw

i think kia is the worst offender at this and thats probably why i have always disliked them

jcat_350

It's how those companies make money...they're designed and marketed and priced to be luxury at a lower cost.

People want the mercedes, lexus, etc but can't afford them. It's not really any different from the Isuzu offshoots of GM vehicles. Lots of people are smart enough to realize, for example, that you can get a loaded Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon for lots less than a Cadillac Escalade. Just like you can get a loaded Avalon for less than a pretty much basic ES350 nowadays and have essentially the same car.

The Kia Cadenza is a perfect example. It's meant to rub elbows with the Lexus GS and Mercedes E class in terms of luxury and size, but starts out brand new at $45k.

Or the Hyundai Equus. Same deal, meant to compete with the S class, 7 series and LS, yet starts at 61k.