8th generation ES!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 478
From: North Carolina
Agree can most likely get used to the latch. But when you get a loaner from the service dept and they have to tell you how to get in and out of the car that should have been a red flag especially for a new designed car. This is the way it is headed now anyway so eventually will be the norm.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 171
Likes: 48
From: WA
I was surprised when I saw the new version last night - first thought was that it reminded me of a Kia Stinger or aimed at that audience. I showed it to my wife (who drives our current and previous ES) and she loves it and said "I want one of those". I personally don't. I was put off by the styling, and then when I read that it has a CVT transmission, it becomes a hard no, not interested. I read recently where Nissan/Infiniti is moving back to regular transmissions from CVTs due to how many customers dislike them.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 478
From: North Carolina
Lexus newsroom is the place to read about this. Split screen is back and says native navigation which tells me map data should be within the system and not cloud based but sure there is a subscription there somewhere. Length 6.5 in and wheelbase 3 in more. Very few pictures.
Last edited by alextv; Apr 23, 2025 at 10:52 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,641
Likes: 3,430
From: NJ
I was surprised when I saw the new version last night - first thought was that it reminded me of a Kia Stinger or aimed at that audience. I showed it to my wife (who drives our current and previous ES) and she loves it and said "I want one of those". I personally don't. I was put off by the styling, and then when I read that it has a CVT transmission, it becomes a hard no, not interested. I read recently where Nissan/Infiniti is moving back to regular transmissions from CVTs due to how many customers dislike them.
Last edited by mikemu30; Apr 23, 2025 at 11:15 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,723
From: NC
I always get a chuckle from those that complain about the CVT especially not being as smooth and as quiet as a regular transmisssion. So shifting through 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 gears is smoother than no shifting at all. I would never go back to a non CVT transmission.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 454
From: oh
Mechanically, it's what I expected. EVs and HEVs. No PHEV or ICE.
Aesthetically, it's a disappointment. I like the silhouette, but that zig-zag gash in the door panels is not for me. Why do some car companies think that an EV has to scream "look I'm an EV" in their body design. I think a more modest and subtle EV style would have said "elegance," whereas that lightening bolt on each door look crass. And the interior looks like a major step down.
Some of the AI fakes were way better looking than what Lexus came up with, IMO.
I'll withhold my final judgement until I drive one.
Looks like I'll be waiting for the 9ES.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 53
Likes: 13
From: MA
This was decided way back in 2021. And all the BEV batteries for the ES (as with the higher spec BZ4x and RZ) will be made in Himeji battery plant (Toyota now fully owns Prime Planet Energy). So it makes sense not to ship components all over the place. Himeji plant is already ramping up capacity for mass production to 13GWh.
Well played Toyota, well played.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 53
Likes: 13
From: MA
The new PHEV battery has 100 mile range. I see that as a game-changer.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,641
Likes: 3,430
From: NJ
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 229
Likes: 78
From: CA
Absolutely hate these AI voiced derivative videos. All this footage was stolen from other content creators.
Anyways, Toyota CVT is good. Their hybrid platform is good. Their BEVs are far behind the competition in terms of acceleration and range. The Tesla/BYD like infotainment will be something way different for their demographic, but they need/want to target a younger market.
The dimensions are odd. It's tall like the Crown, and long like the LS. I believe this brings it from mid-sized to full-sized sedan, or psuedo crossover?
Anyways, Toyota CVT is good. Their hybrid platform is good. Their BEVs are far behind the competition in terms of acceleration and range. The Tesla/BYD like infotainment will be something way different for their demographic, but they need/want to target a younger market.
The dimensions are odd. It's tall like the Crown, and long like the LS. I believe this brings it from mid-sized to full-sized sedan, or psuedo crossover?
Last edited by Jersey5974; Apr 23, 2025 at 01:44 PM.
