The sixth generation of the Lexus ES should redefine the entry-level luxury car market, with the backing of the ultra-reliable 2AR-FE 2.5-litre engine and 6-speed Super ECT gearbox, which it adopts directly from the Toyota Camry, making it an affordable and easy to maintain Lexus.
Being a front-wheel-drive unit, there are less components to fail and also making it easy to drive. For those that has been watching a lot of Taiwan and Hong Kong drama, the ES is a popular choice among businessmen and businesswomen, as its design is truly elegant and beautiful.
Comparing to the BMW 3-series and Lexus IS, those are for the sporty minded people and the Mercedes C-Class is tad smaller and look boring now, till we get the new model in the coming months. The ES' could effectively sit between the 3 and 5, or the C and E, and at RM280k for the luxury version, which provides additional specs such as semi-aniline leather, HID and LED lights, memory auto tilt and telescopic steering wheel, side doors sunshade, in-built navigation and a set of better looking alloys, is well worth the additional RM20k when compare to the standard version.
The interior of the ES is very spacious, especially noticeable at the rear seat, which is designed with an almost flat floor. However, the meter cluster adopt a very boring layout, with limited selectable information that could display in the middle screen such as the TPM system, speed and average fuel consumption, and the throttle mode setting.
For the minimalist center dashboard, the analog clock blend in elegantly and most control could be done from the Electronic Multi-Vision screen. However, one could feel the sensitivity of the joystick is too strong and could make navigating the 8" screen difficult. There is also a big round button that changes the throttle map of the engine to ECO, Normal or Sport mode. When Sport mode is selected, the transmission will keep its gear for longer, producing better torque. Also note that the ES is not designed as a sport sedan, thus the lack of paddle shifters. ECO mode is best suited for highway cruising, that could reduce fuel consumption. In total, the engine could produce 181hp/235Nm, which most will think this is low for a 2.5-litre engine.
Being a Lexus, one could expect all safety features in the ES, and indeed, it has almost everything, except Hill-Start Assist and auto parking. Being a torque-converter car, why would the hill-start assist needed as in most slope, the automatic gear could handle it. By the way, the ES has a total of 10-airbag, which include 2 rear-seat airbags and 2 front knee airbags, beside having other 6 at the common locations.
If I were to have this ES, being chauffeur driven is the best. The rear legroom is huge, and the armrest comes with basic audio control, and if you do not drive beside a truck, it is quiet and comfy to enjoy a cup of coffee with the morning paper.
Of course, being a chauffeur of this car is not too bad, as the front seat and steering wheel could be electronically adjusted. During the drive, the steering felt like a feather, making it good for the old folks. If you like a steering that have much feedback, this is not your cup of tea. It could remember up to 3 settings. Lexus should take a step further by recognizing the key holder, and adjust the position when it detect it is the pappa's key or the mamma's key or the rich kid's key.
Like what you see? Head down to the Lexus Centre and book one today, the wait time is about 3-4 months for the ES, and expect not-so-good service from the salesperson.
