jaymk

Hi,
I’ve got a 2019 ES hybrid Ultra and am thinking of upgrading it to a 2023 same.
I am familiar with the new infotainment and wireless CarPlay features, but I am more interested in finding out about how is the ride quality in the 2023 as compared to the 2019.
Is the new one more smoother when switching from ev to gas, or has a more quieter ride, or does it handle better?
Has any of our community members made a switch like this?
I appreciate all your inputs.

Thank You,

Jack1986

Are there any 2023s available to test drive in your area? If so, I’d say take one for a drive. You’re not really going to know how it drives until you drive one.

As a side note, you’re gonna love the touchscreen on the 2023. I wanted a new ES back in 2020 but the touchpad was one major reason I didn’t get one.

jaymk

Yep,
Looking forward to test drive one soon but right now nothing is available.

Thank You,

JamesAZ

The only reason to upgrade to a 2023 would be for the new features. I guarantee you won't notice a difference in handling or road noise even if they did make improvements. Your best bet is to wait for the 8th Gen if that's going to be your final verdict to upgrade.

bc6152

I'm not aware that any substantial changes were made to the 2023 model year suspension vs. 2019... Interior features, yes, but other than that I don't think so... And I also believe that no major upgrades would be forthcoming in the 8th. gen ES line... Have to wait and see...

JamesAZ

Oh sure, no MAJOR upgrades, but maybe 0.5db quieter and ever so slightly smoother lol. The only way you're going to get any noticeable improvements in ride quality and quietness is to move to the LS. Even a 1990 ES is comparable to a 2023 in terms of ride quality and quietness. Let alone a 2019.

toyotaman7

I am not sure how they can improve the ride on this car. This is THE SMOOTHEST and quietest car I have ever owned... It's like riding on my lazy boy in a room that is total isolated from outside, riding on air.....

Now, that is if you are not looking for an exciting drive.

E46CT

ES is too close (identical nearly) to the Camry & Avalon. Hopefully for 8ES, they do more to separate it.

In terms of differences... well the 2019 Hybrids use the old/low economy ni-mh battery vs. the 2020+ li-ion right. so that right there would be my cutoff. i wouldn't get a 2019 also with the build/rattles you're like to get with the early years too. i always get the sense it took lexus 3 years to get the build decent on this chassis just based on what i've seen around on the forums and videos on the rav4 etc. I think TCCN said the Rav4 in 2019 had so many issues, 2020 fixed some, 2021 fix most, and 2022 fixed all. I imagine that same trend follows the ES which it's largely similar to.

toyotaman7

Why do you think Li-ion battery is better than ni-mh? Similar size, same capacity. Been around and tested by Toyota over 20 years vs. 2 years.

Also, Canadian EShs are still using ni-mh. This might be due to the fact that Li-Ion does not cope with cold as well as ni-mh.

E46CT

mpg as people reported here. also lexus used it for 2020-current so there's that.

toyotaman7

Is the rated MPG on 2022 better than 2019 in US?

For Canadians they are still the same batteries on ES, but on car that are selling with Li-ion (NX, Venza) they do specify that in cold winter the hybrid may not function on Hybrid, rather gas only until the battery warms up. There might be a reason they went back to Ni-Mh on RX5....

JamesAZ

As someone who traded their 2018 Camry for a 2019 Lexus ES, the ES definitely is not "nearly identical" to the ES. And that was a base model Camry LE as well. Not a V6 XSE or TRD or XLE or whatever. The ES is far smoother and quieter. I can guarantee the ES will always be based off of the Camry since the TNGA-K platform is way too profitable and versatile not to.

Not sure why people act like the Camry is some old rattley piece of crap, the 8th Gen is actually really nice.

E46CT

I never said it's old and rattley. I'm one of the strongest worshippers of the 8 Gen Camry--stronger than you. Way stronger. However i'm buying an ES so i want it to be different.

And yes the ES is nearly identical. i have all the diagrams, blueprints, etc. and have studied this extremely deeply and extremely intensely. I am the main highlighter of the differences, mostly subtle.

All the switchgear, controls, schematics, etc? they're identical. intrusion measurements in all the various crashes? identical. I've got the BIW schematics as well. All the spot welds, layering, grades--all identical. They're a LOT closer than you think. i believe even the track is identical. track and/or width.

Are there differences? yes. differences i won't even explain to you because i worked hard to find them. differences you couldn't even (and won't even) describe and can ever describe unless you knew specifically what to look for. So don't assume when I post stuff like this i do it lightly.

I even know a secret about the ES that no one's ever mentioned and i won't! there's one model year that has a very specific engineering change that's very interesting. that's how closely i looked at this stuff!

JamesAZ

I guess I'm just so used to people insinuating the ES is nothing special or praiseworthy because it's "just a Camry with fancy seats" when it clearly shows they've never driven the Camry or the ES.

E46CT

One more thing i watched an ASMR (howevr you spell it) video of the latest camry..where they put a microphone to all the various parts in the cabin... i swear if you close your eyes and just listened to the audio, it's all 100% ES. the beeps, the clicks, the thunks, the thuds. all the parts are identical however with a different veneer.

The ES is worth it over the camry which is obviously why i got one... however next time i want it... i need it to be more different. the sharing is way way too strong. i did this over on the bmw side too. uncovered a massive treasure trove of info and differences between all the various years. broke about 20 myths. fun stuff..