The 2024 Lexus ES: What’s New

Let’s take a look at the new and returning features and options coming to the Lexus ES for the 2024 model year!

Being Lexus’s longest-lived and most central model, the eponymous ES has carried the company’s core principles of affordable, reliable luxury for decades. And for the flagship model’s 35th anniversary, it’s seeing a number of changes and quality-of-life improvements across the board. Let’s take a quick dive into the company’s official press release and discuss what we can expect for next year’s ES, including powertrain, tech, and pricing.

Under the Skin

Firstly, let’s address the ES’s new and returning mechanical features, like engines and running gear. The main two engines: namely, the 3.5L V6 2GR-FKS and the 2.5L L4 A25A, both return this year. The former V6 powers the base-model FWD ES350, the latter in the AWD ES250. Both base models received a very modest bump up in the MSRP to $43,190. Which honestly isn’t a terrible deal considering what else you get. Elsewhere, the ES carries over most of its undercarriage components, still built on the GA-K platform shared by the Camry and Avalon. Dynamic Torque Control AWD also makes a welcome return on models so-equipped for drivers dealing with inclement conditions. The system automatically disengages when not required to prioritize fuel efficiency.

Speaking of efficiency, Lexus put a lot of emphasis on that talking point this model year – though didn’t leave out the sportiness, either. The most efficient model is the hybrid, of course, namely the ES300h. According to Lexus, you’ll be expecting numbers around 43 MPG city / 44 highway (5.3L/100km for metrics). The 2.5L hybrid powertrain sips fuel when needed, but no need to worry if you find a nice, open driving road. The ES300h features a “Sport” drive mode which grants additional low-end torque, coupled with paddle-shifters (though it is still an eCVT). If you want something sportier right out of the box, you’ll be looking at the 302-horsepower V6 ES350. This model carries over the Direct Shift 8-speed automatic, as opposed to the six simulated gears in the eCVT models.

Affordable Luxury

So what does $43,190 get you when you walk into a Lexus dealership this summer? Quite a lot, as it turns out. Starting with tech, the Technology Package is now available on all models, featuring a larger 12.3-inch display with accessibility options, a SmartAccess card key, and an integrated heads-up display. Being a luxury car, obviously interior trim’s important, with all models featuring optional NuLuxe interior appointments. Along with all the other usual refinements – supple leather seats, wood trim, full connectivity, and so on. The original ES offered the most premium for the most reasonable price, a trend it maintains 35 years later.

In terms of connectivity, you’re getting the full range of the latest and greatest here as well. To start, you have integrated touch and voice controls, certainly a plus for those not familiar with the ergonomics of new cars. Over-the-air updates and Cloud navigation round out basic features. Getting further in, Lexus carries over their smart assistant feature, activated with keywords like, “Hey Lexus…” Along with the usual refinements expected of luxury cars – dual BlueTooth, 4G WiFi, and HD radio. The ES also features an optional emergency package featuring an SOS button with roadside assistance, automatic collision detection, stolen vehicle locator, and more with a 10-year trial.

Safety Features

As always, the Lexus ES prominently features a variety of advanced safety features. New models come equipped with the latest Lexus Safety System+2.5. This includes features such as:

• Pre-Collision Avoidance System with Pedestrian Detection. Automatically detects when a collision is imminent using radar and sends alerts and, in some cases, may assist in taking avoiding action.
• Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist. Helps maintain control of the vehicle during panic steering with light braking and smoothed steering inputs.
• Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking. Provides automatic braking if the driver accidentally turns left into an oncoming lane.
• All Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Adaptive highway cruise control that maintains a preset speed and distance from vehicles ahead.
• Lane Tracing Assist. Follows the lane-marking lines and vehicles ahead as references to maintain lane orientation.
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Alerts drivers to lane changes as detected by certain lane markers. The system is designed to provide gentle course correction if, say, a driver misses a lane change.
• Road Sign Assist. Detects speed limit, warning, stop signs, and other signals and projects them on the Multi-Information Display.

F-Sport Models and Pricing

The F-Sport package returns this year as an upgrade to the Premium Package. Like prior years, the F-Sport features no performance upgrades, unfortunately. What you do get are exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels and paint options, along with the bespoke spoiler, grille, and front bumper. Interior-wise, all F-Sport models feature the highest-grade options available, of course. But the real magic lies in its suspension.

Owners can option-up the F-Sport suspension with a range of configurations in the F-Sport Handling package. Stiffer modes including Sport+ and Custom modes are available, as well as a host of other available options. With Mark Levinson surround-sound, power rear sunshade, standard triple-beam LED headlamps, and more. It’s basically an all-around upgrade package. We’d recommend the ES350 with F-Sport Handling package for those with a heavier right foot.

In terms of pricing, as mentioned before, the base model sits at $43,190 MSRP. If you go for the F-Sport Handling, you’re looking at a $6,500 markup. The Ultra Luxury sits at the top, commanding a $52,080 price tag without options. Even so, considering how insanely pricey some luxury vehicles are these days, that’s not a lot at all. And Lexus isn’t exactly frowned upon in luxury circles, either. Is it as prestigious as a new Rolls? Of course not. But with similar features at one-quarter the price? Having a flashy name is nice. But having an understated name with the same features and way more money in the bank is nicer.

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M.C. Cuccio

I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.

My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.