Whenever we’ve had a Lexus ES in our test vehicle fleet, it’s usually signed out by employees who plan to drive long distances. That’s not surprising, because the ES has historically been one of the most comfortable places to spend a road trip. Although it could never be considered sporty, its cushiness never came at the expense of responsiveness, unlike land yachts of yore.
The new ES is built on an all-new design that promises an even quieter cabin with less vibration and more responsive steering. Although we’ve seen it only in photos so far, it looks a bit Toyota-like. Unfortunately, the interior seems to be lacking when it comes to physical knobs and buttons that are typically easier to use while driving, but we’ll reserve any further judgment until we try it out.
Where the previous ES was once a fancier version of the now-defunct Toyota Avalon, the latest ES faces some internal competition from the Toyota Crown, which is also hybrid only. We’re not surprised that Lexus is trying to differentiate the ES by adding additional luxury features such as an optional massaging rear seat. That helps Lexus better compete against some elite sedans from Germany and Korea. We wouldn’t be surprised if the ES sees a price increase as a result.
No matter what, the hybrid version of the ES will sit in a class by itself among luxury sedans because its only competitors are either gas-only, electric-only, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
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