Lexus ES

Lexus ES
Lexus ES 350 (GSZ10)
Overview
ManufacturerToyota
Also called
ProductionJune 1989 – present
Model years1990–present
Body and chassis
Class
Layout

The Lexus ES is a series of mid-size executive cars marketed since 1989 by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, across multiple generations, each offering V6 engines and a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. The first five generations of the ES used the Toyota Camry platform, while the latter generations are more closely related to both the Camry and the Avalon. Manual transmissions were offered until 1993, a lower-displacement inline-four engine became an option in Asian markets in 2010, and a gasoline-electric hybrid version was introduced in 2012. The ES was Lexus's only front-wheel drive vehicle until 1998, when the related RX was introduced, and the sedan occupied the entry-level luxury car segment of the Lexus lineup in North America and other regions until the debut of the IS in 1999. The ES name stands for "Executive Sedan".[5] However, some Lexus importers use the name, "Elegant Sedan".[6]

Introduced in 1989, the first generation ES 250 was one of two vehicles in Lexus's debut range, along with the LS 400. The second generation ES 300 debuted in 1991, followed by the third generation ES 300 in 1996, and the fourth generation ES 300/330 in 2001. The first- through fourth generation sedans shared body styling elements with Japan-market Toyota sedans, and a domestic market equivalent, the Toyota Windom (Japanese: トヨタ・ウィンダム, Toyota Windamu), was sold until the launch of the fifth generation ES in 2006. The word "Windom" is a combination of "win" and the suffix "dom" expresses a state of perpetual victory.[7] The fifth generation ES used body styling marketed by Lexus as L-finesse and debuted in early 2006 as a 2007 model. The sixth generation ES debuted in the first half of 2012 as a 2013 model, and features increased cabin dimensions due to a longer wheelbase which is shared with the full-size XX40 series Avalon.

Lexus has positioned the ES in the comfort luxury segment, with an emphasis on interior amenities, quietness, and ride quality,[8] in contrast with more firm-riding sport sedans.[9] Buyers seeking more performance-focused models are targeted by the Lexus IS and rival makes, with such models offering a sportier drive with differently tuned suspensions.[10] In Europe, Japan and other markets where it was not available until the seventh generation model, the GS sport sedans occupy the mid-size category in the Lexus lineup until it was cancelled August 2020.[11] In the United States, the ES has been the best-selling Lexus sedan for over fifteen years.[12][13][14]

  1. ^ "2023 Lexus ES Review, Pricing, and Specs". 13 October 2022.
  2. ^ "2019 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT Wins Best Mid-Size Luxury Car Award at the 2019 Texas Auto Writers Association Auto Roundup". 18 April 2019.
  3. ^ "2021 Lexus ES Adds ES250 Model with All-Wheel Drive". 20 August 2020.
  4. ^ "2021 Lexus ES's New AWD Variant Costs Same as V-6, is More Efficient". Motortrend. 20 August 2020.
  5. ^ "1st Lexus ES sedan". Toyota Motor Corporation. 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Site Map". Lexus Australia. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Vehicle Lineage Chart – Data: Origin of a car's name". Japan: Toyota. 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  8. ^ "New Car Test Drive – 2007 Lexus ES 350". Nctd.com. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  9. ^ "2012 Lexus ES 350". Autoblog. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  10. ^ "The Consumer Guide to Premium Midsize Cars". Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  11. ^ "LEXUS、GSに特別仕様車"Eternal Touring"を設定" [Special model "Eternal Touring" set for Lexus GS] (Press release) (in Japanese). Toyota Global Newsroom. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Best-Selling Luxury Cars for 2006". Forbes. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 4 January 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  13. ^ Dawson, Chester. Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit, pp. 144, 172, 201. 2004: Jon Wiley & Sons, NJ.
  14. ^ Walton, Chris (30 August 2009). "2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS vs. 2009 Lexus ES 350 Comparison Test and Video on Inside Line". Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009.