I am narrowing down my desire for another vehicle to a Lexus. Had considered a Toyota Rav 4 Prime.

Looking at the dimensions of a used LS 500 and a new ES 350 the wheelbase is only 10" longer on the LS 500. The height and width are almost the same.

So would there be that much of a difference between the two as far as ride quality?

I'm planning on test driving each within the next 2 weeks but I prefer to get a new car vs a 3 yo car.

 

The difference is noticeable, and the LS is on another level but not too far from the ES.

Personally, I would take the 2023 ES.

 

your big takeaway might be ride quality and interior quality.

 

Definitely a ride and drive will let me know if the newer tech in the ES350 is worth it. I'm spoiled now with the big screens. I also have an EV.

 

I really was interested in the RX but doing away with the V6 in the 2023 was a no deal for me.

 

Tradosauru, within the last couple of weeks I test drove a number of midsize premium cars in consideration of replacing my current sedan. (Mercedes E class, BMW 5 series and Audi A6.) I decided on a new 2024 ES 350, however, in doing so I drove a 2022 LS with only 6,000 miles and a 2023 ES UL back-to-back … each over a 25 mile or so drive. Here was my take. The LS is unquestionably the flagship sedan. The most notable example were the seats … more plush and softer leather. That said, it drove like a much bigger and very heavy car. In every way the car felt really much bigger and heavier than the ES. The ES on the other hand felt nimble and drove much smaller than its physical size by comparison. Even highway driving felt easier with the ES because it felt so much lighter and handled better. Smooth, quiet and comfortable are critical factors in a car for me. Yes, the LS had an edge over the ES in these categories, but not by very much.

To be clear, the LS is a big, beautiful and very luxurious car deserving to be Lexus’s flagship sedan. And, offered AWD … which wasn’t an important factor for me. But for me when considering price, prospective maintenance cost differences and the not very significant differences in the smooth, quiet and comfortable factors and the ability to get a 2024 model year in the not too distant future, I went with the ES.

Coincidentally at the time of my test drives Lexus announced they would be starting production of the 2024 ES on July 18. Since none of the local dealers in my area had a UL in the color combination I wanted, I put down a deposit on a 2024 ES 350. I’m not sure when the car will be built, but I’ve been given the specs and serial number, so hopefully soon.

 

Wow. Thanks for the input. More for me to consider.

Did the ES you drove have the 4 cylinder turbo or V6?

 

If he's accurate in identifying his tester as an ES 350, it had to have the V6. The AWD car with a non-turbo Four is the ES 250, and the hybrid with non-turbo Four is the ES 300h. There is no turbo available on any ES, although it is widely and reliably speculated that a turbo Four, with and/or without hybrid battery, will replace the V6 in the 2025 model probably reaching our shores from Japan late next calendar year.

 

No ES has the turbo motor.

 

I had a 2018 LS500 for 2.5 years before getting my ES hybrid. I miss the massaging seat and nicer interior from the LS. I don't miss the length of the car, the air suspension or laggy drivetrain. The ride quality isn't as different as you'd think. I would suggest a new ES hybrid over the LS for a normal daily driver situation. Get the V6 ES if that's your thing. I wanted 44 mpg and smoothness so I picked the hybrid.

 

I tested the V6 ES350 …. And that’s what I put a deposit on for the 2024 model year … an ES 350 UL.

 

Apologies for not being clear with respect to the AWD reference … that reference was as regards the LS. It had AWD. As noted in another reply, the ES 350 is a V6 FWD. Good luck in your hunt. No bad choices when it comes to the LS or ES.

 

I was confused. When I was at the Lexus build website I confused the ES250 with the ES350

Now doing away with the v6 in the RX was a mistake IMO. Although I still want to test drive a 2023 RX 350 I'm not holding out hope the turbo 4 cylinder will have the acceleration I want.

 

I get you, but the turbo four (even a few 3's out there now - gag!) is becoming the industry norm across the board, even in luxury brands like Mercedes and Lexus. You can pretty much be 100% assured that the next new version of the ES will also be saddled with one of these. Emissions regulations across the globe are one of the primary reasons driving this, and the auto companies have invested tons to make the fours remarkably fast with one or even two turbos. So if acceleration is a concern they can readily beat the ES's V6 if they want to - and they probably will. But a four is still a four, and usually feels and, most notably, sounds like it. Add in the turbo and it's like a vacuum cleaner under the hood, A number of makes even pump in artificial engine sound through the speakers - including the current LS with the twin-turbo 6 when you put it in Sport mode. That's our future whether we want it or not.

 

short lived future probably-- either small engine with a turbo or hybrid. i doubt much development is going to be done for gas stuff much longer.