2019 Lexus ES: Everything You Need to Know

Dare to Be Different

For most of its life, the Lexus ES sedan was little more than a badge engineered, more luxurious version of the Toyota Camry. To the point where most believed that the luxuriously-appointed Camry XSE was the equivalent of Toyota stepping on its own toes.

But when Lexus pulled the covers off the completely redesigned ES recently, it was immediately clear that the automaker has worked diligently to change that perception. And now that they've released all the pertinent details on this exciting new luxury sedan, we also know that its beauty is more than skin deep. 

Drivetrain

All ES 350s now come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 sporting an updated D-4S fuel injection system. Unlike the old ES, the new one is designed to deliver commanding acceleration along with an invigorating sound. With the updates, the 3.5 now produces 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque.

The newly refreshed engine is backed up by a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission. Lexus has spread the gears out to wider ratios, which helps utilize high torque gears on the low end for quick starts and tall gearing on the high end for optimum efficiency. 

>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 ES right here in the Club Lexus forum.

New Global Architecture

Perhaps the most significant change to the new ES is its all-new Global Architecture – K (GA-K) platform. These new underpinnings are the catalyst for the car's aggressive looks, of course. But they also help provide a newly sporty driving experience.

The exceptionally rigid front-wheel-drive chassis uses various grades of high-tensile steel to reduce weight. Additional enhancements include an all-new multi-link rear suspension design, rack-mounted electric power steering, and a V-brace mounted behind the rear seat.

F Sport models offer an optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), a system borrowed from the LC coupe and LS sedan. AVS adds adjustable dampers at each corner that feature 650 levels of damping force for the ultimate in control over any surface.

>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 ES right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Fuel Economy

These changes all play a part in making the new ES more efficient than the outgoing model, despite an increase in output. The new sedan returns EPA mileage numbers of 22 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined.

Compared to the previous ES 350, that’s a two mile-per-gallon improvement in combined driving. With an addition of 34 horsepower and 19 pound-feet of torque, no less. For the new 2019 ES 350 F SPORT, the official EPA numbers are 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined.

Even more impressively, the ES 300h is now the world's most fuel-efficient luxury vehicle without a plug, delivering EPA mileage numbers of 43 mpg city, 45 mpg highway and 44 mpg combined. 

>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 ES right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Safety

All versions of the seventh-generation ES feature the new Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard equipment. Already one of the most sophisticated systems of its kind, LSS+ 2.0 adds new features that further expand its capabilities such as daytime bicyclist detection and low light pedestrian detection. 

>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 ES right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Technology

The new ES is the first Lexus product to offer Apple CarPlay functionality, enabling drivers to control their iPhones through the dashboard display screen or with Siri Eyes Free voice control. 

The ES is also Amazon Alexa-enabled, so drivers can use natural language commands to control a variety of functions. That functionality includes car-to-home and home-to-car commands, so owners who have Alexa enabled devices in their home can interact with their ES before they ever get behind the wheel. 

>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 ES right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Pricing

Starting at $39,500, the new ES 350 offers loads of content for a mere $550 price increase over the outgoing model. The ES 300h, on the other hand, will go on sale with a base price of $41,310, a notable $510 decrease compared to its predecessor. Stepping up to the ES 350 F SPORT will cost you a bit more with a starting price of $44,035. All of these prices exclude a $1,025 fee for delivery, processing, and handling. 

>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 ES right here in the Club Lexus forum.

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