Where are ES owners or folks interested in a ES type vehicle going to go next if this isnt their cup of soda?

 

I know people like to rip on KK, but he ripped on the ride quality at the end of the review below. Of course it needs a personal test drive, but my impression on these reviews is that the new ES rides a bit Tesla like with the jitteriness and boominess over bumps he drove on. May have to do with the chassis tunning in having to deal with 2.5 tons on the heavier models... The new 6th gen hybrid looks really nice. They need to drop this in the RX/TX to give them some added performance (at least fuel economy on the TX as there's no economy hybrid model currently) and much better NVH. He kept saying he could barely hear the engine, he was also able to drive in EV mode a significant percentage of the time. Very different compared to the RX350h we test drove where the engine kept droning...

 

Autogefühl has his first drive video out. As always, I appreciate his proper look at the interior. Now all I need is Savagegeese to put the ES on a lift as well as give their B-roll criticism.

 

I am getting the RX450h+.

 

Any info on the Energy monitor? It looks like Arene OS does not have it.


Also, top speed of the 350e is 99 mph? Dead in Europe.

 

Do it. That would've been my choice, but my wife really wanted a 3 row for when the extended family visits.

 

Pity KK says hybrid on 19" not particularly smooth riding; let alone 21".
So sounds like only hi riding RZ smooth riding despite shorter wheelbase.

 

Nice choice if you want the plug in option. We have the 350h and love it.

 

They all say that about bigger wheels. We have 21s on our RX hybrid and it is absolutely siljy smooth.

 

At 00:14'51", KK seems to be the only reviewer so far who has been very specific about ride quality.
He says RZ rides better.
Although KK is driving the 21" version.
I have driven the original RZ, and I can tell you it has a stupendously smooth ride!

On further research, most reviewers say the 8ES rides more firmly than the RZ.
Most reviewers also say that the new midlife refreshed RZ drives more firmly than the original RZ!
Is Akio right about all this sporty business?
Maybe I am just an old hat now?

The Germans like Benz, BMW and Audi still seem to have very compliant rides for their base models, and only firm suspension on their sports trims like M Sport, AMG Sport and S Line.
Akio Toyoda doesn't seem to get this?
Akio keeps using firm sports suspension across the range!

New RX is the only soft riding model left in Lexus lineup???




At 00:18'24", they say they wanted to make 8ES a bit sportier below:

 

ya 6ES was so peak for the ES line. when i see them to this day, especially in a champagne color that's refreshed, i go wow what a classy looking car. if i ever got a 2nd car that took gas, i'd probably get one of them. i just wish it had the nicer a25a hybrid as i think the older ones got really mediocre fuel economy.

 

this is how they look side by side, similar color.

 

You have classy on the left and gaudy on the right. What in God's name was Lexus thinking. Other angles. What is Lexus's fascination with black plastic.

 

Just me only, but I thought 6ES was the worst looking ES in all 8 generations; that's what held me against buying 6ES.
I actually like the new look on the right photo above.
The old 7ES was too low and cramped inside.
The 8ES is certainly a nice evolution.
4" higher for easier entry and exit - without turning into a full hi riding tailgate wagon like RX.
Styling is always very subjective.

 

Monday May 25, 2026 I test drove a Lexus ES 500e Premium , Color Iridium , White interior.
This es had the 21 inh wheel option. My situation is I am leasing a 2023 Nissan Ariya Platinum + all wheel drive.
Lease is up end of Dec 2026. I do not intend to buy this car from Nissan. Its been trouble free , car is rated at 286 miles to empty.
OK now for my view of ES 500e , First style of the new es looks better in person then the pictures. However I not sure I like the front or
the hockey stick design on the sides of the car. I drove car on street roads , highway and I can say without a doubt the car handles very well.
Very quiet ride and more then enough power. Steering was slightly on the stiff side , really not bad , short turning radius and handled all the bumps
smoothly. The Interior materials are very good. The seats were very comfortable. Very roomy in the back. The biggest draw back to me is its range est at 272- 276.
As I learned with my Ariya to get the est range you have to have ideal conditions , example outside temp not to hot or to cold. If you drive
above 70 on the highway your range drops off fast. I plan on test driving the Hybrid.
The salesmen mentioned to me that the first batch of 2026 es they receive will be the only ones for 2026. After Sept 2026 they will be 2027's
This dealer hs 5 2026 ESe's ariving early july to early August, They Have 10 2026 ES hybrids ariving late July thru end of August.
They don't expect any changes to the 2027 however the may be some added options he couldn't elaborate.

ps My wife drives a Lexus 2025 NX350h Luxury.

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