Doublebase

When I owned my LS I considered moving to the ES350...my thought process was, I drive a lot, needed something a little more reliable (cheaper parts), and I actually really liked their interior and overall look of the car. Then I drove one. I actually turned to the salesman and said, you’ve got to be kidding me, this thing is an absolute dog. There’s no power. My Honda Accord has more pep and torque. I was stunned by it. I figured...I’ve driven V6 camrys before, they felt pretty lively, the ES did not. I don’t know if the car is just heavier or tuned down a bit. It doesn’t feel great. The salesman tried to talk me into a GS350 instead.

I recently drove a 2019 Toyota Highlander with the direct injection V6 and it too doesn’t have power. Toyota has really changed their pedal response in these vehicles. Others have mentioned it too. Drive a new Highlander, it’s a dog. Honestly the Rav4 probably feels more responsive. I’m sure the 0-60 times are competitive, but the available torque at driving speeds and responsiveness (in my opinion) were really dialed down.

SW17LS

I don't know that I would agree it has "no power", certainly they have less power than the LS and the FWD drivetrain has a different feel. One of my agents has a 2016 ES350 that I drive fairly regularly and it has plenty of power. I've driven the 2019-2020 and it feels at least as powerful if not moreso as that 2016. I've driven the ES many times as loaners, had a 2003 and 2010 ES myself and all had plenty of power.

Its very similar feeling to a V6 Camry or Avalon, because thats what it is basically.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Once it gets moving the 2019 ES does deliver a good ride it's just that when your comparing it to the LS from a rolling start it just doesn't have the instant get up and go. I thought the ES was a nice car but It's just not as stately or imposing as an LS nor is it meant to be. I can see someone getting it who is just shopping for a very good luxury car in THAT segment but it would baffle my mind if someone bought an ES if they are shopping 560, 750, A8, etc... and are used to V8s. I know some ppl do in fact make that choice for other reasons like MPG, safety features and new tech but I would just look for a newer LS with more options.

Efthy2007

A top of the line ES is about $55K, (give and take a little), while a top of the line LS is $110k-$125k. The price is more then double as one can see. Are we comparing apples to apples here? I think not. Besides, the LS is the Lexus flagship of the line; one would expect it to be better in EVERYTHING!!! Just saying........

SW17LS

The ES is a nice riding, quiet car, what it lacks compared to the LS is the overall polish and sophistication of the ride and drive. The ES rides nice the way a Buick rides nice, but cars like the LS have a solid, planted feel that the ES just doesnt have. Again, as was said above thats a function of cost, the LS costs twice as much as an ES, the ES has macpherson struts and is FWD, suspension is much more basic...

leisinjp

So a lot of you guys are getting confused or just aren’t reading my original post. I never compared a 2019 LS to a 2019 ES. I even stated I’m not comparing apples to apples.

I compared a 2019 ES to my 2011 LS. Yes, I know the prices aren’t the same. Something more realistic would be a 2015 LS for $30k and a 2019 ES for $30k. If you were shopping the LS and ES that would make more sense.

I was giving my personal opinion on my LS vs the ES loaner. The LS is a more solid car, as expected. But the ride and way the ES drove was pretty dang good. You all have to realize for the guys that have had the privilege of driving multiple generations of LS’s you are lucky and spoiled! Haha. A 2019 ES drives much better than most other cars on the road. At the end of the day, I was very impressed with the new ES. Dream garage would be a new LS for myself and a new ES for the wife.

SW17LS

We understand. I'm comparing the 2019 ES to the LS460, or really any LS.

If you drive a wide variety of similar cars, the ES doesn't drive better than other cars of a similar type and design. Buick Lacrosse. Kia Cadenza, Toyota Avalon. All very similar. Modern mainstream/near luxury sedans are just a lot better than they used to be,

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I also understood what you were saying. I thought that the 2019 ES was a VERY good car with a nice ride also. I also tried to find a situation in my mind where I would purchase an ES but I just could not find one as long as I had an LS. I don't even want to drive the old 400 once a week to keep the battery, oil and tires in good condition lol. Your opinion of the car is dead on though.

SW17LS

Absolutely, its a very good car

leisinjp

I'm surprised a Buick made its way in there. I've only rode in one that was maybe a 2016. And I wasn't all that impressed. Maybe the 2019 is much better, or maybe I'm biased to Lexus over anything else haha! I did drive the previous gen Avalon and it seemed much stiffer and not as good of a ride. But I really believe if you take two exact same models of a car, and put good tires on one and Wal Mart tires on the other, it makes a night and day difference. Except I did test drive a 2007 LS460 with Douglas tires and was surprised with how well it drove. The tires had 500 miles on them so maybe when they get low on tread they become loud. Who knows.