You guys aren't going to like my opinion on this haha!

Let me make it clear by first stating that I own a 2011 LS460 L AWD. I've heard that the L with RWD drives smoother or maybe its a smoother idle because it is RWD. But I can't confirm that. Maybe the 2013+ LS's drive much better than my 11, so take that into consideration as well.

I took my RX in for some work and they gave me a 2019 ES350. I'm really impressed with the car! I'm very very picky when it comes to driver seats, the seat in my 14 GS350 was terrible, but the seat in this ES is fantastic. Seems to support my back and bottom in all the right places.

Drive Quality:
The way it drives is impressive as well. It has the stock tires, so I'm sure some Pirelli's or Michelins would make it more quiet. I felt that there wasn't a big difference between the way my LS and this ES drove down the highway. Both are quiet and smooth.

Interior:
The buttons seem to be more plastic and cheaper, but they are buttons. The new tech out weighs any negative about the lower quality parts. But I guess if you can afford a 2019 LS, then that solves your problem. It is smaller than the LS, obviously. But I didn't feel cramped. My kids in the back seat lost about half the space they are used to in the long wheel base LS though.

Overall:
I drive a lot, and I don't make a ton of money. So the cost of gas and MPG play a factor into my everyday life. The fact that I was getting 30 MPG in the ES and I get 19 in my LS is a big difference. If you compare apples to apples and look at a 2019 LS and 2019 ES then I'm sure this is a completely different ball game. But I know I've heard guys say they would never leave a LS, even an older one, for a newer ES or other model. If it were me, and I had the option for similar price, I would take a 2019 ES over my 2011 LS. I'm not speaking for all LS's, but in my situation I was pleased with the new ES.

 

Thanks for the honest review!
Thankfully you will be staying with a Lexus and NOT jumping into a KIA!

 

Ha ha, yeah no Kia for me. I can’t afford the new ES, but hopefully in a couple years when the prices come down then it’ll be in my sweet spot.

in a perfect world I would love to upgrade to a 2013+ LS and then get my wife the 2019 ES. Best of both worlds in my opinion.

 

I am going to step out and assume you have driven a 2020 Kia K900? It is quite the car for less money. IMPO better than a Lexus LS. But then again, I've driven one.

 

Obviously this is purely subjective but my wife and I drove a new 19 ES350 with UL and a 19 LS500 with Luxury package.

The ES is a great buy, especially the fully loaded UL's that you can get in the high $40s to get Lexus reliability and pretty good luxury. Compare this with the $70k-$100k for a LS500, is the LS "worth double"? To some, probably not.

Now, the ES did have cheaper leather, a far inferior sounds system (the ES forums have lots complaining about the ML system) and rode smooth, but not as smooth as the LS500 (which I don't think rides as smooth as a LS460). However, it is the top seller for Lexus sedans (RX & NX do outsell it though), to get a new base ES in the high $30s is a great deal. My wife, however, felt the ES was a result of a lot of Lexus cost cutting and so that eliminated the ES from any consideration.

 

Well remember you’re comparing a 9 year old LS to a brand new ES. The “new” factor means a lot. Once you get used to driving it day in and day out though and the new tech’s fun factor wears off, the ways in which the ES is inferior to the LS will bother you. It’s not as substantial, not as isolated or refined, power train doesn’t feel nearly as smooth and refined. Interior material quality is a huge difference. Solidity if the doors and the way they feel, another huge difference. The LS just feels a lot higher quality and more expensive.

How do I know? Because I made that change at one point. I enjoyed my ES sedans (I had two) but I always missed the multitude of ways the LS is better, and as soon as I was in a position to get back into an LS, I did it.

So, personally I would keep a 9 year old LS that was owned and maintained by me and I know the condition it’s in over trading it on a new ES, yes. Tech is great, but if you enjoy cars there is just a lot more to enjoy in the LS.

Bear in mind for what a new ES costs you can buy a very slightly used much newer LS.

 

We had a 2019 ES loaner for about a month and it did have a nice ride as well as a pretty nice interior. I could not stand the lack of power compared to my LS. Once up to speed the car rode very good. My wife did not like it compared to the GS she drives. I drove the ES enough even though it was her loaner and tried to be subjective. It did not feel as solid as the LS either. I wish I had that screen and cluster though. A very good car but too small for me I put the ES in front of the LS and the difference in size was obvious but maybe that's because I have the L.

 

Another thing to take into consideration...my 2011 LWB has 150,000 miles on it. I think it drives great. But I’m sure a 2016 with low miles will feel completely different and better. I’m purely comparing my LS to this ES.

I would need to drive a new LS to be able to compare it. I would love to drive one with the air suspension to see what it drives like compared to regular.

 

I found a used 2019 ES for sale for $30,000. We paid $25,000 for my wife's 2018 Honda Accord Touring. The Honda doesn't come close to the Lexus. I'd love to sell the Honda and get her the ES. I am spoiled with my LS and it may be better than other Lexus models but I'm telling you, the ES is nice. A base ES is way nicer than a fully loaded Accord for only a couple thousand more.

 

You lost me with front wheel drive.

 

Haha! It is interesting reading what different guys view as a deal breaker. I guess that's why there are multiple models. I agree with you, I would rather have RWD, but it's not a complete deal breaker to me. My biggest things in a car are the drivers seat, how the transmission shifts, and ride quality. But I know guys who are only worried about 0-60 times and others where a car not having blind spot monitoring automatically is scratched off their list.

 

I personally am a fan of the Honda Accord, though it doesn't compare to the ES of course. The Accord's do hold their own in resale value, could you explore a trade? I don't think you'd end up losing that much, honestly...plus for me, life is short. Drive what you want, not what you have to settle for....

I caveat that statement by saying I bought 3 cars in a span of 21 months with this ideology and ended up with $5k in negative equity =)

 

Well, of course the ES is going to be a better car than the Accord, its considerably more expensive. V6 vs 4cyl, built to a different standard.

 

I agree with the tech part of it. Our 18 Accord Touring has many features that work better than the 2019 ES that I had for a couple days.

But....The vibrations, noise, ride, seats, etc. all are much better in the ES. It would be awesome is Lexus could take the tech from some of these other manufactures that really have it down and add it.

The nav screen in the 18 accord vs the 19 ES isn't even close. The Accord's nav screen and software looks and feels 10 years newer. Even though it is a year older.

 

the new es is great

drove it 5 times

you can not compare a fwd car with a great designed rwd vehicle

in awd 350 maybe
but the 2010 ls I drive is a far superior excluding the safety features in new car,
and you want to laugh I have a UX loaner, the small suv is great I love it