With the recent release of the 2019 ES350, the vehicle looks identical to the LS.

2019 ES350









2018 LS500 ^^^^

 

I could be wrong but I dont even think the LS is much bigger(if at all) vs the ES.

I also read somewhere that the new ES will have more driver legroom than the LS.

Anyways I dont see how Lexus can justify charging over double for the LS vs the ES.

 

I watched the unveil with much interest yesterday. We've had some talk in the forums about wanting to switch to the ES because of the LS 500's sporty direction. I guess that wouldn't be possible now!

 

LS500 = 206 inches in length
123 inches wheelbase

ES350 = 196 inches in length
113 inch wheelbase

And the video where they unveiled the ES, the lexus executive himself said "ES350 rear room is the largest we have, and much more than the LS"

 

I really wonder why they would make a decision like that... Shouldn't a flagship have the largest possible room?

 

Always thought that. My LS460L I thought had the largest leg room.

Till someone at my work pointed out their ES350 had more than 3 inches legroom than my long wheel base LS

I went and checked on Edmunds and they are correct...

So this is not a new thing

To give you a perspective, Honda Accord has more rear legroom than LS500, and S550 and 7 series has 4-65 inches of more legroom in rear than LS

 

Strange design decision indeed! I can only imagine that it is deliberate to attract more buyers to the brand. It does make a good marketing point for the ES, albeit at the expense of the feelings of LS owners (who are already into the brand)...

 

ES has FWD, simple single link lower suspension, and almost no aluminium in the chassis to keep prices low.
LS has a front mid-engine for near 50/50 weight distribution, double wishbone front suspension, and a part aluminium chassis to keep weight low - however that front mid-engine compromizes the cabin length.

This is the future for luxury sedans, because those who genuinely want interior space would purchase an SUV already...

 

Again, ignore the numbers. In the real world I promise you the current ES350 does NOT have as much rear space as the LS460L. I had one as a loaner the other day.

 

My 460L had leg room like a limo. One of the few things I loved about the car.

 

Evidently, Lexus must think the GS is the winning formula and everything needs to be a derivative of it.

 

Given they are killing the GS in the US market, I doubt it

In the US, it is a losing formula.

 

Thanks, this is very informative! What are the advantages of this engine placement?

 

I think Lexus is following mercedes foot step on this, the S class and the E class both share resembling designs.

 

Front mid-engine has a number of advantages:

(1) Near 50:50 weight distribution, with less weight on the front tires to maximize front end grip.

(2) Because the engine weight is closer to the Yaw Center, it has a lower "polar moment of inertia" to maximize agility - ie it maximizes the speed of change in direction similar to an ice skater bringing their arms together when spinning [velocity of rotation].

Eg, A Mercedes AMG GT 2 door has a tremendous front mid-engine layout - with little room left for cabin length...