2021 ES 250 AWD Hits All the Right Notes

Correcting an Oversight

It's hard to believe, but we're just now getting an all-wheel-drive version of the new Lexus ES for the 2021 model year. This may seem like a major oversight, but regardless, we're glad to see it corrected. The 2021 ES250 AWD model figures to be quite popular with buyers too, especially those that live smack in the snow belt, even if it comes with a bit of a power disadvantage when compared to the ES350.

Photos: Lexus

Not a Deal Breaker

Yes, the AWD ES comes equipped with Lexus' 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine, which produces "just" 203 horsepower. We'd obviously prefer to have the 3.5-liter V6, which cranks out a more reasonable 302 ponies, but that isn't a deal-breaker for many buyers by any means.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 ES 250 AWD right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Meeting Expectations

The ES250 AWD's targeted buyer is someone who wants a sporty-looking vehicle that's comfortable, luxurious, spacious, fuel-efficient, fun on dry pavement, and yet, also quite capable of getting you from point A to point B safely in any kind of weather. And in that regard, this car meets all expectations.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 ES 250 AWD right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Ample Fuel Economy

The I-4 engine provides ample power for merging into traffic, while the 8-speed automatic transmission is tuned perfectly to take advantage of its powerband. But one of the main benefits of the smaller engine is the fuel economy it returns - 34 miles-per-gallon combined based on EPA ratings, which is excellent for a 4,000-pound vehicle.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 ES 250 AWD right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Bargain Buy

Then there's the matter of price, where the ES250 AWD is a winner once again. The sedan starts out at just $41,350 - a mere $900 more than the smaller IS sedan, despite its more spacious cabin and trunk. That makes the ES250 AWD a proper bargain, especially when lined up against its more expensive German competition.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 ES 250 AWD right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Stepping Up

And, when compared to the Toyota Avalon on which it's based, the ES provides a much more appealing design and a more luxurious interior, all for just a few thousand more dollars, which makes it more than worth the step up in our humble opinion.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 ES 250 AWD right here in the Club Lexus forum.

List of Priorities

Add it all together, and the 2021 Lexus ES250 AWD hits all the right notes for a certain type of buyer. It may not light anyone's hair on fire in terms of performance, but that's also not at the top of everyone's list when the time comes to buy a new vehicle.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 ES 250 AWD right here in the Club Lexus forum.

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