Now when Lexus launched in 1989 it only had two models in this lineup and one of
them was the ES, so the ES has a long history with this company and the
brand-new redesigned 2019 ES is actually the seventh generation of the car and it
has been changed inside and out with a new platform new powertrains and updated
styling. Now the ES shares the most in common with the Toyota Avalon which was
also redesigned for 2019 and the two share more than a passing resemblance.
They have the same wheelbase, the same overall length and mechanically
identical power trains just with some slight tuning differences from the side.
Even the two models look fairly identical but the ES does have a few
styling cues that let you know that it's a Lexus starting with the grille. Now
most versions of the ES will come with this spindle grille with vertically
oriented slats. If you opt for an F Sport model you will get a more aggressive
overall look but also this 3D kind of chainmail mesh grille that looks much
more aggressive. Now the ES will be offered in gas and hybrid versions and
the gas version of the car will get a 3.5 liter V6 that makes just over 300
horsepower. Now the car that we're here with is the hybrid and that features
what Lexus is calling a fourth generation hybrid system. It has a total
system output of 215 horsepower and it's fuel economy matches the Avalon's at 44
mpg combined. Now acceleration from the gas engine is adequate, I wouldn't say
that is mind blowing and that actually makes me prefer the hybrid version
because you get that big advantage in fuel economy. Now there is one catch too
going for the ES and that is it's gonna be front-wheel drive only. Pretty much
all the other competitors offer some sort of all-wheel drive so it's weird
that Lexus wouldn't choose to put some kind of system in the ES and it makes it
stick out for the wrong reasons. Now the Lexus ES also benefits from the move
to Toyota's global architecture, much like the Camry and the Avalon did over
the last couple years. The new platform means that the ES rides better, is less
sloppy in turns and is just overall a better driving experience. Lexus has also
increased stability by adding a v-shaped brace right behind the rear seat and it
does help calm down the rear a little bit especially under braking but what
that does mean is that you can't fold down the back seat. There is a small
pass-through for longer cargo but it's not very big, I wouldn't be able to fit a
snowboard through there so for those of you who like winter sports
you might have to get a roof rack or something like that for a longer cargo.
Like I mentioned before, power from the two powertrains is what I would call
adequate. I'm driving the hybrid right now and while it's not fast, it's enough
power for passing and it's a smooth powertrain that transitions very
seamlessly between gas and electric modes. Now the Lexus ES also benefits
from a very quiet cabin and you can make it even quieter still by opting for an
ultra luxurious package which comes with 19-inch wheels that are designed to be
quieter than other wheels. They've cut a channel out of the wheel and they say
that helps to mitigate some of the road vibrations and noise and when I drove a
vehicle with those wheels equipped it was noticeably quieter than the car that
we drove this morning. Now the 2019 ES also introduces the F Sport version of
the car and what that has is more aggressive styling stiffer anti-roll bar
in the front and its own Sport Plus drive mode it also comes with an
adaptive variable suspension that Lexus says can firm up the ride to make it
more dynamic in turns. I didn't necessarily find this to be true I thought that
the F Sport actually drove pretty similar to the non F Sport models which
means that what you're getting with the F Sport is mostly an appearance package
along with some sports seats that do have nice bolstering but don't expect
the F Sport to suddenly become a sports sedan. The ES is pretty quiet and
comfortable most of the time but there is one situation in which that gets
broken up and that's when you really lean into the throttle on the hybrid
version. Now the hybrid models actually come with some specialized sound
deadening which are meant to filter out the higher pitched noises that you get
from the electric drivetrain however that sound deadening doesn't do much for
the four-cylinder drone that you get when you really lean into the car like
this.
Another thing that's much improved on
the ES is this new interior and that's both from materials and a styling
perspective. Now the cabin materials are taking a big leap forward. I would say
this actually feels like a bonafide luxury interior now whereas the previous
ES felt upmarket but not quite luxurious. The model that we're sitting in also
comes with be available twelve point three inch screen which is high
resolution and high up on the dash so it's easy for you to see while driving.
Now all of these things on the ES are big improvements over the old model but
there is one key way in which the new ES hasn't taken a step forward and that
would be the multimedia system. Now our biggest gripe with the multimedia system
is not actually the screen itself it comes with how you interact with it and
that is through what Lexus calls a remote touch interface and that
basically means you use a glorified touchpad here in the center console to
navigate the menus and submenus found on the screen. Now using a touchpad and a
cursor is fine if you're on your laptop in a coffee shop but not so much if
you're driving and you have kids in the back and you have traffic and cars
moving around you, it's just a lot to take in if you're driving and it's
pretty much impossible to use without looking down at the screen. Lexus did add
Apple CarPlay on Amazon Alexa integration to the ES however there are
caches to both of those at launch. The car is gonna come out in September but
it looks like Apple CarPlay won't be standard on the car until after October.
You can get it on ES models with navigation but if you don't want
navigation you won't be able to get Apple CarPlay until you buy a car that
was built after October 1st. On the Alexa side, the Amazon app that's
required by Lexus to use the full Alexa functionality in the car won't be
certified on the App Store until November. However it will be available
for those who have Android phones so while you might not have Android Auto
you will get to enjoy full Amazon Alexa integration before you're friends with
iPhones. Now this pre-production model that we're in actually does come with
Apple CarPlay and we had a chance to play with the system and we think that
it works quite well here. The screen is very wide and Apple CarPlay is actually
able to fill the whole thing so you get more icons than you do normally on the
home page and we think that it's actually a good direction for Lexus to
take in the future with this system if they want to stick with a touchpad
because Apple CarPlay uses large icons that are easy to see while the Lexus
menus are smaller and you have to go through more steps to find what you want.
Now there's no question that the 2019 Lexus ES is a massive improvement over
the 2018 version of the car. I think that it's more stylish, I think that it drives
better and I think that the interior is more luxurious. It also has a massive
backseat that can fit two adults comfortably over long voyages and this
makes the ES a great road trip car, much like the 2019 Avalon. Now the
caveat is you're stuck with that multimedia system. And this is something
that we could say about most Lexus products is that without that multimedia
system they would actually be a more compelling buy. For me is it a
deal-breaker? It just might be in this car because everything else seems so
good that that sticks out like a sore thumb. Now we're still waiting on
official pricing figures for the 2019 ES. All that we can tell you is that it
will start at around $39,000 with hybrid models
commanding a $3,000 premium on top of the gas versions.
Official pricing should come closer the cars on sale date in fall of 2018.