Here you have it folks, following its global debut earlier this year at the Shanghai Motor Show, the Lexus ES has been refreshed for the Malaysian market.
As before, 3 variants of the ES are available for our local market – the ES 250 Premium, ES 250 Luxury and ES 300h. The ES 250 Premium is an upgraded variant of the previous ES 250, with additional features. The ES 300h on the other hand, uses the Lexus Hybrid Drive System and now comes with an 8-year warranty for the hybrid battery pack, with no limitation on mileage covered (terms and conditions apply).
The level of updates available for the facelifted ES are generally cosmetics. No changes have been made to the powertrains however, the shock absorber settings at the front and rear have been revised to match increased body rigidity and maintain the excellent ride comfort and handling stability. The increased rigidity has been achieved by the application of structural reinforcements using lessons learnt in the chassis tuning for the IS. An additional sound-reducing layer has been inserted behind the dashboard to better isolate engine noise from the cabin.
At first glance, you will notice that the new ES now sports a new front design. When compared to the previous model, the fold back point of the spindle grille has been raised, and the peak of the door cross-section runs through to that point. Both corners of the lower grille have been extended laterally by 140 mm and together with the distinctive vertical form of the foglamp garnish, this makes the car look wider.
A signature feature of the ES has been the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) which are composed of LEDs arranged like an arrow-head. These, together with the side reflect reflectors, are positioned on a long line that starts at the foldback point of the grille and continues to the shoulder, giving a unique sleek look.
The ES is equipped with LED projector headlamp technology which provides a stronger light beam compared to most conventional headlights. As the headlights are exceptionally bright, auto-levelling is standard so that the beams will not shine into the eyes of drivers in oncoming vehicles.
Moving to the rear, the ES 250 variants now have a diamond-shaped tailpipe tips, while the ES 300h has an air stabilizing fin shape that hide the exhaust tip. This variant also has a boot lid spoiler for enhanced aerodynamic performance.
The rear lighting units now have the L-shaped graphics as a styling evolution. The L-shaped graphic is clearly recognizable from the rear, providing a distinct visual signature for the ES at night.
To complement the new look, two 17-inch wheels with directional spoke patterns have been developed. A branching dark gray metallic, multi-plane machined 20-spoke wheel is optional for non-hybrids, while the hybrid variant is distinguished with a 10-spoke design with machine finish over medium gray.
Pop the door open and instantly you will notice its astonishingly spacious and comfortable interior, particularly for the passengers in the rear. Intelligent interior packaging and a generous wheelbase of 2,820 mm gives a level of spaciousness comparable to a model in the larger premium luxury segment.
The advanced cockpit design has been enhanced with a new Remote Touch Interface (RTI) and instrument panel, a new genuine leather as well as a woodgrain steering wheel. The layout of the steering wheel switches has also been given revised in line with the enhanced multimedia specifications, improving accessibility.
Elsewhere inside the cabin, Birdseye Maple wood ornamentation is now standard for all variants, while ornamentation panels with metallic accents complement the front and rear door trim. To give a more quality feel, the power window switches have also been redesigned.
The luxurious front seats have also received changes with new stitching for the quilted upholstery and the addition of switches for the rear passenger to move the front passenger’s seat further forward or adjust the backrest angle (ES 250 Luxury/ES 300h). The driver’s seat for the ES 250 Luxury/ES 300h also gets a cushion length adjuster to allow for thigh support to be varied.
Other improvements and changes include the provision of an Auto Rain Sensor and Acoustic Glass for all variants. The Multi Information Display between the speedometer and tachometer has also been enlarged to 4.2 inches from 3.5 inches and the information presented is more legible.
The overhead module for the rear map/dome lamps has been completely redesigned for easier operation as well as better illumination. Operation of the Remote Touch Controller, has also been improved with the inclusion of an ENTER button for faster navigation and menu selection.
Both the ES 250 Luxury and ES 300h come with a powered rear boot lid which allows closing at the touch of a button. This feature was previously only available with the ES 300h.
In terms of safety, the latest version of ES now includes Hill-start Assist for all variants. Additionally, for the ES 250 Luxury/ES 300h, there is now a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system which greatly enhances driving safety.
Available in 6 body colours, namely Red Mica Crystal Shine, Sonic Quartz, Graphite Black GF, Sonic Titanium, Amber CS as well as Platinum Silver Metallic, the new Lexus ES is now available at your nearest Lexus showroom nationwide. Since order taking for the new Lexus ES began in late July 2015, more than 100 units orders have been received to date with the Lexus ES 250 Luxury variant being the most popular model.
Below is the price list of the new Lexus ES including GST, without insurance for Individual Private Registration:
