Does anyone have ideas on what the 2016 refresh will add/change, besides the likely hourglass grill (a "love it or hate it" style)? Can't seem to find any reliable news articles as of yet.

 

The biggest change will probably be that they'll be built in KY.

 

I have no idea what will actually be done with the 2016 ES, but, typically, in the first 2 or 3 years of a generational vehicle run, Lexus has made small and largely cosmetic changes. It has typically been in the third or fourth year that Lexus has done slightly more significant changes and those changes have sometimes included things like a boost in engine horsepower. Since 2016 will be the fourth year for the generation 6 ES, if bigger changes are going to happen, I'd expect to see them in 2016.

 

The ES had a complete refresh in '13 so i highly doubt there will be any major changes. I would expect them to give the 2016 new taillights and new headlights but no body changes. And possibly, a few modifications to the interior.

To be honest, i really dont like the direction Lexus is going, trading smooth curves for sharp aggressive lines instead. If their future vehicles are going to look like the NX or the 2016 RX with sharp jagged lines, i personally wont be a customer anymore with Lexus. Same with the RC, i think its a very ugly car. The new Lexus vehicles look like someone designed the front half and someone else designed the back half and the 2 never spoke to each other. The styling just looks confused, i know they want it to look modern, but the designers are not doing a good job. My only hope is the GS F. It still has its smooth curves and lines. I hope Lexus goes more in the direction of the new GS rather than the NX , RC, or RX.

 

I don't mind the overall look and the sharp lines. I just don't care for what Toyota/Lexus is doing with their exaggerated grills. The new Prius V looks exactly like a DustBuster, less the handle. At least the Lexus grills don't look like they were modeled from household appliances, but they are still disproportionately large on the new designs and especially the F-Sport models. I'm just glad we purchased before the new designs hit and who knows, some day I may come to accept the new look. It is still Toyota/Lexus engineering after all.

 

Should be a mid-cycle refresh, new front headlights, grill, bumper, new wheels, new taillamps. Inside I would expect some of the material quality issues to be addressed, other trim changes (you might see some chrome door trim, etc.

I would wait to see the 2016 if I were looking now.

 

A bigger, blacked-out F-Sport style grille, narrow LED headlights, I wish...

 

What would be nice is standard Nav (new gen), 8-speed transmission, F-Sport trim, optional adjustable suspension.

 

im definitely with you on the adjustable suspnsion, the AVS system that is implemented in the GS would be perfect.

 

new safety system for sure and new 3.5l engine likely... maybe 2.0t as well?

I dont think grille will change a lot, ES already has latest grille.

 

Eh I don't feel like a 2.0t "fits" the ES

I hope I don't like a next gen ES at all because otherwise I'll start to not like my old 2014

 

When are next year models typically announced/released with Lexus?

My mother is in the market for a new car and she's thinking about the ES. I'm wondering if the exterior will change much. Do you think the grille will change to look more aggressive like the NX and the announced 2016 RX? I'm thinking the rest of the Lexus line-up will adopt that "in-your-face" grille in their respective MMC/refreshes for cars like the IS & GS in the upcoming years.

What do you think?

 

The 2016 won't be out before September.

The ES will always be more towards the conservative side, but I would look for the spindle grille to get bolder.

 

That's what I thought about the RX (since it's their top seller), but the recently announced 2016 RX car dispelled that notion right out of the bat. It's pretty extreme as far as styling goes. I'm thinking the same may be in store for the ES to match the rest of the lineup.

What timeframe should we expect to see pictures of the 2016 car?

 

The RX is in fact more conservative than say...the NX which has a more pointed, sharper nose with separate DRLs, etc. I don't personally see the RX as being so radical. It has a full spindle grille, which we knew it would have.

The RX is in a class though that can take radical. Younger people buy SUVs, the luxury SUV market is really doing well as people consider them as viable replacements for their luxury sedans.

The ES is in a segment that really caters to an aging demographic that can't be replaced by a younger more style conscious buyer because the FWD layout isn't attractive to them. Remember too that the ES is a refresh, the RX is all new. The refreshed ES won't be as bold as the all new RX.

Change is hard, but realize there will come a day when the 2016 RX looks plain.