THE TEUTONIC ALTERNATIVE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_lexuses_2019

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 117

One of the world's best selling Lexus models is one you might rarely have heard of, the ES. Prior to 2018, we'd never previously seen this model in our market and it was a car that often got forgotten in a sector dominated by contenders like the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes E-Class or the Audi A6. Yet it doesn't deserve to be. It offers (non-Plug-in) petrol/electric hybrid power for less than you'd pay for a smoky diesel version of a Teutonic competitor. And much more equipment too. If you want to spoil yourself in this segment and luxury and low running costs take precedence over drive dynamics, the ES could be an appealing used car package.

Modelsword count: 11

4dr Saloon (2.5 Hybrid ES 300h) - [standard, Premium, F-Sport, Takumi]

Historyword count: 379

By 2018, four generations of GS saloon had represented the Lexus brand in the full-sized part of the executive saloon segment since 1991, all of them rear-driven, just as the brand thought Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6-segment buyers wanted. But the GS was expensive to build and couldn't provide the price advantage over the Teutonic competition that Lexus really needed to make headway in this class. For three decades, the company had had a model line on its books better placed to do that, but prior to 2018, the reasons why had prevented the model in question, this 'ES', from ever being sold in Europe. Put simply, the ES model's engineering had always been more affordable because much of it had been shared with the humble Toyota Camry sedan that US buyers love so much. This side of the pond, Lexus has always based its model range around cars that differ far more fundamentally from their Toyota counterparts; it took until 2018 for the design of the ES to suit our continent in that way - or at least that's what was claimed here. Actually, this seventh generation XZ10 model still shared plenty with a Camry, not only its GA-K platform but also the 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid engine that set this Lexus apart from the diesel models that back at the end of this century's second decade still dominated in this segment. But much else was different - notably the suspension, refinement, cabin design and of course the exterior styling, which took its cue from some of the brand's most eye-catching shapes from this period and made quite an arresting statement in the office car park. At the time of this car's launch in early 2019, over 2.3 million ES models were already pounding global roads - worldwide in fact, this was the company's second best seller. But the MK7 design was larger than any of its predecessors - and more dynamically-orientated too, despite its front-driven format. Plus it was more affordable, better equipped and safer than the old GS had ever been. This ES was offered here in a single ES 300h full-Hybrid form and got a light facelift in 2021, which lasted it through to the end of this generation model sales in 2026.

What You Getword count: 541

The looks of this car will be a major determining factor in making people want to try it. Quite a bit was borrowed from the Lexus brand's top boardroom-level luxury saloon, the LS - and that's a good thing in our book, giving this ES a car park presence that German rivals struggle to emulate. At nearly five metres in length, this was actually one of the lengthiest contenders from its era in the full-sized part of the Executive class - 36mm longer for instance, than an Audi A6 of this time. This, along with the rearward-sloping fast roof line and the lower bonnet line enabled by the GA-K platform combine to deliver a sense of gravitas and streetside status that this model line never previously had, with a silhouette styled around what Chief Designer Yasuo Kajino called a theme of 'Provocative Elegance'. Behind the wheel, you find yourself in a cabin apparently inspired by 'Omotenashi', the Japanese art of hospitality and you'll probably find it to be refreshingly different if your middle management motoring life so far has had a Teutonic theme. The sweeping stylised lines, the unique choice of trimming and texture and the sumptuously supportive seats all impress. Less welcome is Lexus's insistence on forcing you to operate the 8 or 12.3-inch central infotainment screen with a fiddly central lower touchpad, which is difficult to use on a bumpy road. The instrument display you view through this lovely three-spoke wheel isn't fully digital, but its central dial is. The binnacle's top stitched cowl is lovely; the horn-style controls sticking out of either side of it aren't. Classy distinctly Lexus touches include the infra-red 'Climate Concierge' system that orchestrates the ideal climate for each person in the car. And the 17-speaker 'concert hall-style' Mark Levinson surround sound audio system that was either optional or standard, depending on trim. In the rear, leg room isn't too bad: Lexus reckoned that there was actually only a millimetre less than the boardroom level LS saloon that competed at this time in the class above, though that car was poor in that regard. That slightly restricted ceiling height necessitated by the sloping roof might be an issue for taller passengers but cabin width is average by class standards - there's more of it than you get in a Mercedes E-Class of this era; and accommodation of a third person if needed is helped by the reasonably low centre transmission tunnel. Out back, you get a 454-litre capacity which, though probably quite sufficient for most likely owners, is quite a bit down on what you'd get from obvious segment diesel rivals from this time. Still, this space is notably wide and decently long, so it's pretty usable. For longer items, a ski hatch is included, even if you've a 'Takumi' variant like this one with the powered reclining seat back. But it's annoying that the folding seat backs you get on other saloons in this class can't be offered here. That's because of the two metal braces that Lexus felt the need to incorporate into the body shell to stiffen it, one ring-shaped and the other V-shaped. So trips from IKEA with flat pack furniture are out. You might be relieved to hear that.

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