It was my impression that the European market never did handsprings over the hybrid-only 7th gen offered over there.

It's also my impression that Lexus has done much, much less business in that segment in Europe than in either China or America. The local-brand competition is fierce, the customers loyal, and even the 7th Gen vehicle is not a suitable Autobahn car. Here's a sample Euro opinion of it.

Yes, you’re right. Our ESs are irreplaceable at this point. A lady came within an inch or two of hitting mine today because she was trying to leave a parking lot and couldn't wait for the light to turn green. Ironically, she was also driving a 22-25 F Sport. We must be careful with our 7th Gen.

I doubt our cars will go up in value, unless we see another COVID-like situation. However, I do think, given the coming hybrid/EV situation, they will hold value very well, especially for those who have the V6. I think this will last for a time until the government inevitably implements a carbon tax. I think hybrids and EVs are suitable for those who want them. But I hate that it's being forced on everyone, and pretty soon we won't have the option of buying a new gasoline vehicle.

Yup you got that right, hybrids aren't for everyone. I just bought a gas RAV4 because they are going all hybrid, just like the Camry.

Congrats 🎉 Nice choice. A friend of mine has a RAV4 and I really like hers. If I were in the market for an SUV, that's what I’d choose. I really wish Toyota had held off on making the Camry all hybrid for one more year because I wanted to buy one as a second car.

Thanks for sharing this video.
I think Toyota is really doing a disservice with what they're doing to the Lexus lineup.

They made Toyota models look edgy first, then trickle down that look with Lexus, their PREMIUM brand.
Toyota made the Corolla and Camry look edgy. I'm totally good with that.

BUT they trickled down that look with the Lexus IS and now the ES. WTF are they thinking? You want a lower tier brand to chase after your premium, not the other way around.

Majority of reactions upon seeing the new Lexus IS is "It looks like a Corolla." :egads:
After seeing this preproduction ES, I bet the world will say "It looks like a Camry". :egads:

Toyota also killed the GS and the LS. The RX looks like a Highlander. What's next, make the NX chase after the looks of the Rav4.
Unbelievable. I don't know if Akio Toyoda is also the big boss of Lexus but he needs to do something fast. Keep going down this path and this Lexus fan here will be turned off and go with a different brand.

I will likely go German. Sure a 5 series is crap compared to Lexus, but I don't want to be driving a car that's a wanna be low rent model. That would be like Max Verstappen aspiring to be an F3 driver.

“You want a lower tier brand to chase after your premium, not the other way around.”

So true, yet Toyota is messing it all up. The trim and interior of some of their vehicles are pushing into Lexus territory, all while Lexus has been looking more plain and down market, almost no wood offering, too many cheaper looking materials (although still good quality they don’t lend a luxurious appearance), faux metal looking trim, limited color pairings (for example the bamboo trim looks pretty nice but can only go with Macadamia, etc., the black open pore wood looks just like it came from IKEA), etc. In their push to be “sporty” they have really lessened the luxury vibe when you first climb in, something that didn’t used to be the case. Nice, yes, but Toyota nice, not wow, this is clearly a step up..

One more video.




Watch this:Toyota NA CEO said that as the ES redesign was in the planning stages, "the thought was that [the take rate between powertrain options] would be 80/20 EV, but a couple years later, and we now think it will be 80/20 hybrid. That's the difference that a couple of years can make in our market strategy."

Tiffany didn’t seem too knowledgeable about this new shiny Lexus bauble or should I say design bobble 😳. Just my opinion.

26 Lexus ES
 

We are the redheaded stepchild now. China sales dictate what we get. Unfortunate that sedans are going the way of the dodo in the USA. I was watching a video on youtube with Doug DeMuro and it looks like most full size sedans are on there way out. Everyone wants an suv. I don't get it. Just purchased 2025 ultra luxury and will enjoy it for years to come.

I still have my 2001 LS430UL and in over 20 years I used the back seat recliner and massager only once when back acted up.

I would buy it.
It grows on you.
I love the way they made it 4" taller - now, easier entry and exit, yet no need to purchase a high riding SUV with no rear seat back rest bracing panel, no rear parcel shelf and no sealed rear windscreen resulting in compromised body rigidity and sound insulation.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...2ce4aa336c.jpg

I could learn to love it IF and only IF they got rid of the cheap looking Camry like side trim. It’s awful. I’m definitely not liking the interior, too cold and Tesla like, albeit with better material and build quality. But that exterior needs work.

That hockey stick looking thing can be found on some BMW models. Hmmmmmm.

Cheap black plastic thing on the driver's side represents a linear graph of US sales.

So ugliness aside, they ditched the 302hp V6 ES 350 and gave us this new ES 350e PHEV with just ~225hp? :rolleyes:
Meanwhile, the current PHEV RAV4 Prime packs 302hp. :confused:

This interaction at 7:22 really got me tripping:

• Lexus: Even if you're an ES owner, I thought people would think maybe like, "Oh my gosh, my ES, it's so different." But they're really welcoming the new design and loving it.
• Youtuber: We were just having a chat with a guy who had an ES and he loved this design.
• Lexus:Exactly. And that's how I've been talking to people. They love it. They can't wait for it.

Well, if I were in the market, I'm definitely not "waiting for it". Sure, MPG will be great, but even the most basic BYD sedan in China will probably outperforms this ES at 1/2 the price. Some even look sharper and more premium inside/out than this 8th gen. Only time will tell, but I’ve got a feeling this one’s going to flop...