Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

The 2019 Lexus ES keeps with tradition but says bye-bye to inconspicuousness

Chris Chin
Stephen Edelstein
By and
1 of 15
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder
2019 Lexus ES
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The current sixth-generation Lexus ES, the company’s venerable and hugely popular front-wheel drive luxury sedan, just turned six this year. Within the automotive genus, specifically the passenger car species, that is getting quite old, so it’s time for a next-generation replacement. That replacement debuted at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, and will go on sale in the United States in September.

Recommended Videos

The 2019 Lexus ES aims to be a more exciting package than its predecessors, something that’s apparent at first glance. The ES features Lexus’ massive “spindle grille” and a host of aggressive-looking styling details, making it look like a smaller version of the brand’s LS flagship. The ES is also longer, lower, and wider than before, with a wider track and wheels pushed further to the corners of the body. In other words, Lexus employed every trick that designers typically use to make a car look sportier.

Related

Underneath the new bodywork sits a new platform called Global Architecture-K (GA-K). While Lexus would not say so explicitly, GA-K is likely derived from the Toyota New Global Architecture platform that underpins the Camry and Avalon. While the ES remains front-wheel drive, Lexus claims the new chassis is much more rigid than before, and engineers emphasized performance (gasp!) when tuning the chassis. The ES also gets an F Sport performance package for the first time, including adaptive dampers and a driver-selectable “Sport+” mode.

The 2019 ES will be offered in ES 350 and ES 300h hybrid guises. The ES 350 uses a 3.5-liter V6 that develops 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque (increases of 34 hp and 19 lb-ft), and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 300h teams a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and Toyota’s ubiquitous hybrid tech, delivering total system output of 215 hp and a claimed 44 mpg combined.

Lexus parent Toyota has been hesitant to embrace Apple CarPlay, but it’s finally caving in with the 2019 ES. In addition to being the first Lexus model to get CarPlay (sorry, Android Auto users), the ES will be available with Amazon Alexa connectivity and onboard Wi-Fi from Verizon. Models equipped with navigation get a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while other models get an 8.0-inch screen without touch sensitivity, forcing drivers to rely on Lexus’ unwieldy Remote Touch Interface trackpad.

The new ES will come standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which bundles multiple driver-assist features. Full details will be revealed closer to launch, but one of those features will be an upgraded version of the currently available pre-collision system, which detects obstacles in front of the car and can apply the brakes if it determines that a collision is inevitable. In the 2019 ES, Lexus says the system will be able to detect cyclists, and will be better at spotting pedestrians at night thanks to upgraded radar.

The 2019 Lexus ES goes on sale in the U.S. in September. Pricing information will be released closer to the launch date.

Update: Added details, specs, and photos from the debut of the Lexus ES at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Chris Chin
Chris Chin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Since picking up his first MicroMachine, Chris Chin knew his passion for automobiles was embedded into his soul. Based in…
2019 Kia Niro EV electric car offers 239 miles of range for $39,495
2019 Kia Niro EV

 

The Kia Niro is already available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, but now Kia is going all the way with electrification. After a concept-car tease at CES 2018 and an overseas unveiling, the all-electric 2019 Kia Niro EV made its United States debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show and will hit showrooms soon. The base EX trim level will start at $39,495 (including a mandatory $995 destination charge), or $31,995 after the federal tax credit. Kia will also offer a fancier Niro EV EX Premium trim level starting at $44,995 before the tax credit, and $37,495 after it.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more