2016+ GS or 2019 ES
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 900
From: Midwest
That's a huge typo. Though the rear seat does have a footwell hump in the middle for a potential future AWD version or at least for the exhausts, it is not a RWD vehicle. It shares a platform with the Camry/Avalon. Here's a quote from the press release on Lexus' website:
The starting point was the newly developed GA-K chassis. It’s an exceptionally rigid front-wheel drive chassis, rivalling the GA-L rear-wheel drive platform used for the LC coupe and LS sedan in terms of torsional stiffness.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 792
Likes: 113
From: NC
even if that were the case. I think i still like the GS interior and exterior better. The ES to me seems like IS quality where its just the entry level effort but it just looks like a cheap LS setup. It does have apple carplay and LFA gauges/***** but thats not enough to replace the GS for me. I think i'd be a good IS replacement though cause I'm not sure how much cheaper they can make a baby LS/LC interior look.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,282
Likes: 1,890
From: WA
even if that were the case. I think i still like the GS interior and exterior better. The ES to me seems like IS quality where its just the entry level effort but it just looks like a cheap LS setup. It does have apple carplay and LFA gauges/***** but thats not enough to replace the GS for me. I think i'd be a good IS replacement though cause I'm not sure how much cheaper they can make a baby LS/LC interior look.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 792
Likes: 113
From: NC
I hope the journalists pointed that out to lexus, but i wonder if all the reviews that come out next week will mention it.
I know the EX is bigger and FWD and can't replace the IS in that aspect but im just curious if they'll just do it because its still entry level and are they currently claim it goes up against that class. We all know the only thing the ES really is the Acura TLX/RLX which really isn't competition. Only time will tell what the future holds but I hope they continue to invest in the IS and GS because they have their toyota cars that are the real money makers for them.
I know the EX is bigger and FWD and can't replace the IS in that aspect but im just curious if they'll just do it because its still entry level and are they currently claim it goes up against that class. We all know the only thing the ES really is the Acura TLX/RLX which really isn't competition. Only time will tell what the future holds but I hope they continue to invest in the IS and GS because they have their toyota cars that are the real money makers for them.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Driver
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 32
From: North Carolina
I'm sure many of you have already seen the write up from Motor Trend on the new ES (link below). I have to admit, it was a little disappointing to read, specifically around the F-Sport version. Not that I was expecting GS sportiness (and sort of glad because it reaffirms my decision on the GS), but would have been nice if the ES F-Sport was bad-a$$er. Almost waters down the F-Sport line (to me). Anyway, good reading for a Thursday.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/lexus...AC891948D843D8
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/lexus...AC891948D843D8
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,662
Likes: 1,421
From: Florida
I'm sure many of you have already seen the write up from Motor Trend on the new ES (link below). I have to admit, it was a little disappointing to read, specifically around the F-Sport version. Not that I was expecting GS sportiness (and sort of glad because it reaffirms my decision on the GS), but would have been nice if the ES F-Sport was bad-a$$er. Almost waters down the F-Sport line (to me). Anyway, good reading for a Thursday.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/lexus...AC891948D843D8
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/lexus...AC891948D843D8
What Lexus has done with the ES makes sense even if we dont like it!
Driver
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 32
From: North Carolina
more bad-*** doesn't do anything to help Lexus target market with this vehicle though. The sporty touches in styling and F-sport tuning make it more appealing to younger buyers while at the same time not entirely alienating the population of older people and those who just want a step up from the Toyota brand while maintaining the Camry/Avalon drive-ability.
What Lexus has done with the ES makes sense even if we dont like it!
What Lexus has done with the ES makes sense even if we dont like it!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 792
Likes: 113
From: NC
The ES faces tough competition from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Acura TLX. But the brand is convinced its foray into sporty will pay dividends. And no, Motor Trend has no plans to sell puppies.....
Lexus executives aren’t worried about a sporty ES encroaching into GS territory. As they see it, they’re providing more choice by taking the ES (Executive Sedan) known for luxury, quiet, and comfort and pumping up the driving dynamics. It’s part of a larger initiative to make the Lexus brand more dynamic, led by the LC coupe with its virtuous exhaust notes.
Lexus executives aren’t worried about a sporty ES encroaching into GS territory. As they see it, they’re providing more choice by taking the ES (Executive Sedan) known for luxury, quiet, and comfort and pumping up the driving dynamics. It’s part of a larger initiative to make the Lexus brand more dynamic, led by the LC coupe with its virtuous exhaust notes.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,282
Likes: 1,890
From: WA
The Car and Driver review is quite positive.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...t-drive-review
In a dynamic sense, the ES300h and ES350 represent business as usual, allowing substantial body motions and what’s-your-hurry handling in exchange for maximized comfort. This would be okay if Lexus was content to continue courting the same sort of buyers as the previous six generations. However, the charter for the seventh generation included a corporate mandate to give the ES more emotion, to make it a car that would be not only more exciting to look at but also more exciting to drive, according to Lexus. Enter the F Sport.
Although its powertrain is the same as that of the standard ES350, the F Sport feels much more the athlete, thanks primarily to suspension tuning, highlighted by adaptive dampers. Developed by KYB, the new Adaptive Variable Suspension employs damping that responds rapidly to changing road-surface conditions based on multiple presets, and it’s most noticeable in the Sport and Sport+ driving modes. The action is an adaptation of conventional shock technology, with a new internal valving system. The upshot is an ES sedan with level cornering attitudes, eager responses, and precise, tactile steering, all of which is augmented by 19-inch wheels fitted with available summer performance tires. It adds up to the first ES that can claim to be a sports sedan with somewhat of a straight face.
Although its powertrain is the same as that of the standard ES350, the F Sport feels much more the athlete, thanks primarily to suspension tuning, highlighted by adaptive dampers. Developed by KYB, the new Adaptive Variable Suspension employs damping that responds rapidly to changing road-surface conditions based on multiple presets, and it’s most noticeable in the Sport and Sport+ driving modes. The action is an adaptation of conventional shock technology, with a new internal valving system. The upshot is an ES sedan with level cornering attitudes, eager responses, and precise, tactile steering, all of which is augmented by 19-inch wheels fitted with available summer performance tires. It adds up to the first ES that can claim to be a sports sedan with somewhat of a straight face.