The First Front-Wheel-Drive Saloon to Land in Japan

Born in 1989 alongside the flagship sedan LS, the mid-size front-wheel-drive sedan ES was part of Lexus's initial lineup. Its refined ride comfort, quietness, and spacious interior have been well-received in numerous countries and regions, and it has continued to evolve as a core model. The new, seventh-generation ES will be the first to be sold in its home market of Japan, as part of the new generation of Lexus vehicles following the LC and LS.

Leveraging the low-profile GA-K platform, shared with the Camry sold in Japan, the new ES achieves both a sleek, taut exterior and a spacious, comfortable interior. The new platform and 2.5-liter hybrid system realize the "twofold" of superior ride comfort and excellent handling stability, enabling a "smooth yet profound driving experience." Furthermore, aiming for safer driving enjoyment, it incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as the world's first digital outer mirrors for a production car and the "Lexus Safety System +" preventive safety package.

The body dimensions are 4,975mm in length, 1,865mm in width, and 1,445mm in height. The newly adopted GA-K platform allows for a wide and low proportion that evokes a sense of motion in the exterior, while the set-back front pillars and sloped rear pillars create a taut cabin silhouette. The spindle grille, with its sharply creased frame combined with a ripple-like, continuously flowing vertical mesh, and the compact triple-beam headlamps emphasize a sharp nose.

The interior features a layout for the front seats that minimizes eye movement, allowing for focused driving, while the rear seats offer a sense of openness with ample legroom and a feeling of being enveloped. The Viscotecs technology, processed with a three-dimensional pattern, is used for the center console and door armrest upholstery.

World's First Adoption of Digital Outer Mirrors

The hybrid system, which drives the front wheels with a 2.5-liter inline-four engine (A25A-FXS type) and an electric motor, is shared with the Camry. The engine produces a maximum output of 131kW (178ps) at 5,700rpm and a maximum torque of 221Nm at 3,600-5,200rpm. The system's maximum output, combining the 88kW (120ps) motor and 202Nm of torque, is 160kW (218ps). Thanks to a newly designed transaxle and power control unit, it achieves a fuel economy of 23.4 km/L (JC08 mode). The compact hybrid battery (nickel-metal hydride) is placed beneath the rear seats, contributing to a lower center of gravity and increased luggage space.

The suspension features a double-wishbone setup at the rear. The "Swing Valve Shock Absorber," which generates damping force through flow resistance even with minute movements by employing a non-seated valve in the oil passage, is adopted for the first time in the world. This provides responsive and refined ride comfort even at low stroke speeds. Furthermore, to achieve the excellent quietness that is a hallmark of the ES lineage, noise-reducing wheels and acoustic glass, technologies honed in the flagship LS, have been employed.

Another notable feature of the new ES is the world-first adoption of "digital outer mirrors" for a production car, reflecting the belief that it is important to develop world-class advanced safety technologies early and make them accessible to more vehicles. These mirrors use small cameras mounted in the conventional door mirror positions to display images of the areas behind the vehicle on 5-inch displays located inside the cabin, on the inner side of the A-pillars. The camera housing is designed to resist rain droplet adhesion, minimizing the impact of weather conditions, and the image display provides a bright view even at night. Additionally, the field of view is expanded during turns and reversing, reducing blind spots for the driver. The slim shape also contributes to improved forward visibility and reduced wind noise during driving.

The "Lexus Safety System +" preventive safety package has also been enhanced, maintaining its monocular camera and millimeter-wave radar configuration. It now includes "Pre-Collision Safety" capable of detecting cyclists during the day and pedestrians at night, "Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)" which supports acceleration, deceleration, and steering to maintain the vehicle's position in the center of the lane and a set distance from the vehicle ahead, and "Road Sign Assist (RSA)" which reads major road signs via camera and displays them on the instrument cluster and head-up display.

Pricing starts at 5.8 million yen for the standard "ES300h" model. The "F Sport" variant, which features a linear solenoid-type variable suspension for fine damping control, performance dampers, 19-inch alloy wheels, and an F mesh grille for sporty performance, is priced at 6.29 million yen. The luxurious "Version L" with enhanced equipment is 6.98 million yen.