I recently bought my ES300h 2013 in for it's first oil change and received an ES350 2011 as a loaner. I was not expecting anything different with the loaner but whohaaa, it was a totally different drive. Made me appreciate alot more what my 2013/2014 model delivered in terms of ride, quietness and styling. To be honest I probably would have NOT bought a 2011 or older ES based on styling alone. The styling and ride of the newer 2013/14 really raises the bar above the older models.

My $0.02.

PS. while waiting for them to finish up my paperwork I took a couple of minutes to sit in a floor model 2014 LS....I was expecting it to be leagues ahead of my ES with the interior trim but I was pleasantly surprised that yes lots of it was better in the LS, but the ES interior held up pretty well in a side by side showroom comparison. I'm really loving my ES more and more each day! I think it is the best bang for buck low end lux car available!

 

I agree, LS not worth double to me.

 

I actually had a Lexus salesman tell me ( this was well after I had already purchased my car ) that the best bang for the buck was in the ES line..

Poppa

 

Makes sense, GS is at least $10k+ more! with the cost to build maybe $1-2k more and the big profit car is the LS at about double the cost. But I think that is common for all brands. SUV's and trucks are the big profit engines for most automobile manufactures (at least that is what I have read throughout the years).

 

I think this is mainly a beauty is in the eye of the beholder thing. Personally I can see most of the price difference between the LS and ES. Some of them are obvious and others are subtle. Entry level vs. top of the line. IMO you can't go wrong with either, it just depends on which segment you are shopping in.

As mentioned nearly all brands offer these differences.