islandsnow

ES definately looks more like the camry. in fact when i had the ES, lot of others mistook it for a camry which made me mad.

the avalon does not look like the ES at all.

islandsnow

i think what people are comparing is just the look of the camry and the ES. not the actual ride or whats under the hood.

The Chad

I'm relatively new to Lexus, and sedans in general, but here's how I see it.

ES, Entry-level luxury sedan.
IS, Entry-level sports sedan.

Lexus is in a unique position to offer cars for both markets, because they are trying to expand their brand into a different market. BMW and Mercedes, already have preconceptions in the public of how those cars should be, and it's reflected in their design and performance.

Lexus doesn't, IMO, have the same inroads in the public's mind. Sure, you expect a certain level of luxury and class, but when I talk to people I know who own a Lexus, they all have somewhat different reasons for going Lexus (I'm not talking about people in this board in this generalization).

So they can focus on their luxury cars, but being Toyota they also have the resources to fire a shot across BMW's bow. Now, as an enthusiast who would have never considered a Lexus, I know want one. Badly.

Cali_Girl

I have both the IS250 and ES350. Both are completely different cars, comparing apples to oranges. IS has the sporty feel and looks (my opinion a better looking car than the ES). ES is good for traveling with passengers and is smoother and more quiet. I like both....just completely different cars.

acl15

i've always thought that the current IS and ES are essentially the same car but marketed towards different age groups. The IS attracting a younger audience because of its sporty looks and the ES geared towards an older group because of its slightly more conservative appearence.

rys

Incorrect, they are designed completely differently.

-Brian

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

That's right.

They don't share the same platform nor engine nor transmission...

SerKevin

Having come from a fully loaded Camry XLE package, the ES was just too close in looks for me to really consider. I have no need for the back seat of me car 99% of the time and was looking for something sporty and fun to drive. Also I was tired of having a car that I passed "myself" a 100 times a day (I mean like the same car down to the color and packaging). For me the IS was the perfect match.

While I did give up a bit of room for the IS, the luxury, sheer fun of driving and gas mileage on the car has way made up for the difference.

viettho

iTrader: (1)

It's funny that my co-worker bought the ES, and all my other co-workers were all saying "nice camry ". And therefore, I would say:

ES = Fully loaded Camry (FWD)
IS = Intelligent Sport. (RWD or AWD on 250)

Now, would you go for a Fully loaded Camry or Intelligent Sport with about the same price?

rys

Well, in fairness, a fully loaded Camry is about $29k, an ES similarly equipped, $35k, an IS250 similarly equipped $36k, an IS350 base model with no nav? $36k, how about a IS350 similarly equipped (Loaded with NAV) $39-42k+

It's all about priorities. Not a lot of money and need NAV? Camry. Want entry level Luxury, but not sporty handling, and need more back seat room? ES. Want top of class power and handling, and no NAV? IS350 Base.

Lexus/Toyota designed the different models with different target audiences in mind and obviously all are selling, otherwise they wouldn't have a need for the different models.

I think the Camry starts at about $18k, so the whole deal on that is that you can get people to walk into the dealership expecting $18k, then lay into them on packages and options, and get them up and up. Maybe you don't get them to $29k, but how about the guy that was looking to spend $25k and suddenly walks away with a loaded $29k, Camry? He may not even have considered that he could own a Lexus, or maybe his priorities are different. Not everyone wants to own the IS or the ES.

-Brian