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Also glad to see the new RTI touchpad. Easier to implement than the Remote Touch ‘mouse’. Overall very nice interior and exterior. Can’t wait to sit inside and critique the materials hah
This is going to dominate the premium fwd midsize market. Buick, Acura, and Lincoln have their work cut out for them. The powertrain is weak though. Even Lexus acknowledges this market is for comfort vs sport as all of the Luxury sports sedans have significantly more powerful drivetrain options. The next IS better get the V6 turbo
300+ hp is weak for an ES? In my view the standard V6 is going to be huge selling point vs the competition with turbo 4 which more often than not can’t match the V6 in overall refinement, driving feel and reliability.
So maybe I missed it. But what engine does it have? The same as the prev 6ES?
The ES 350 comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 like the previous model. But this time around, it delivers 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, up from 268 hp and 248 lb-ft. And instead of a six-speed automatic, the car gets a new eight-speed.
For the hybrid, an updated powertrain consists of a lighter, more compact electric motor, a nickel metal hydride battery, and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine. Increasing total output from 200 hp to 215 hp, this powertrain has been initially estimated to hit 44 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The current model tops out at a combined 40 mpg.
300+ hp is weak for an ES? In my view the standard V6 is going to be huge selling point vs the competition with turbo 4 which more often than not can’t match the V6 in overall refinement, driving feel and reliability.
It's weak for a luxury sedan especially if it's the only option. But the ES is sorta unique so its client base might not care. Also, the FWD system is reaching its limits on horsepower as any more induces torque steer.
I was hoping for a turbo with AWD but I guess we have to wait for the GS / IS for that option.
Notice how the 7ES has "flattish" 2D-like looking door trims - without much depth & 3D like the ageing 6ES - this is probably a deliberate attempt to keep the FWD-based 7ES below the premium RWD-based models like LS/GS/IS...
Nah, I'd say it's to bring the 7ES more in line with the LS' design flat, horizontal interior design language. The door materials should be a big step up from the crappy hard plastic on the 6ES. The positioning of the LCD screen looks similar to the current ES, that's a good thing because it's well placed for visibility.
As for A6, 5-series and E-class buyers not cross-shopping the ES, that probably holds true in the American market but not for the rest of the world. It certainly isn't the case in the Chinese market. Acura, Buick, Lincoln and Cadillac are niche players when it comes to large and cheap FWD sedans; the ES pretty much stands alone.
I just wish there was a plugin hybrid version though. Knowing how conservative Toyota is, I doubt they'll ever make one. The new ES, Camry and Avalon hybrids still use a NiMH battery pack even though the Prius and Prius Prime shifted to a lithium ion pack.
The rear deck spoiler also looks tacked on, unlike the small and discrete version on the current ES300h and ES200. I think the new ES would look better without a spoiler.
Based on pictures alone, Lexus did a good job in applying the ES formula that has made it so successful in the past. But I have to say, if I hadn’t known the specs, or that this was built on the next gen platform, I would have thought this was another refresh of Gen 6. The interior and exterior design changes are much more iterative than in the past generation upgrades so in that sense it met, but definitely did not exceeed expectations.
And the ES does indeed get cross-shopped with the 5 series and the E class as evidenced by comparisons on their respective forums. I know of at least two other members (Self included) in the ES forums here back in 2012, who came from E60 to the ES for reliability reasons. However, that gap has been closing and so the 7ES will have to knock it out of the park in available technology and day to day comfort to keep it a compelling value buy. Looking forward to reading first drive reviews...
04-24-18, 09:43 PM
