Lexus ES Saloon

• Body Glass
  • Acoustic front windscreen
  • Front and rear one-touch automatic power windows equipped with a jam protection
  • Front windscreen de-icer
  • Green UV glass with water repellent coating on front side windows
  • Privacy glass
  • Rain sensing windscreen wipers
• Brakes
  • Active Traction Control (TRC)
  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
  • Electronic parking brake
  • HAC (Hill start assist control) with brake hold
  • Power assisted brakes
• Carpets/Rugs
  • Textile carpet mats
• Chassis/Suspension
  • VDIM
• Communication
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Lexus link connected services
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Wireless Smartphone charger
• Driver Aids
  • 2.5 Lexus safety systems+
  • 3 driving modes Normal/Eco/Sport
  • Auto glide control Lexus first - AGC
  • Blind spot monitoring (BSM) with Rear cross traffic alert and auto brake (RCTAB)
  • Drive mode select controller
  • Dynamic radar cruise control
  • EPS with speed sensitive steering
  • Intelligent parking sensors
  • Lane change flasher function
  • Lane tracking assist - LTA
  • Pre-collision system (PCS)
  • Road sign assist - RSA
  • Vehicle Stability Control - VSC and drive mode controls on Instrument brinicle
• Driver Convenience
  • Active Noise Control
  • Emergency services call system
  • Push button start
• Driver Information
  • Analogue clock with LED illumination
  • Lexus Link Pro with 12.3" touchscreen
  • Lexus navigation system
  • Rev counter
  • Service indicator
• Driving Mirrors
  • Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
  • Folding heated auto dimming wide angle door mirrors
• Embellishment Trims
  • Black grain inlay
• Entertainment
  • 10 speaker pioneer audio with single CD, DAB, aux,shark fin antenna + Bluetooth system
  • Multimedia system with remote touch pad
• Exterior Body Features
  • Aluminium front scuff plates with Lexus logo
  • Front grille
  • Rear boot
  • Rear side wing doors
  • Rear spoiler for (CO2 saving)
  • Resin rear scuff plates
  • Sunroof
• Exterior Lights
  • Auto headlight levelling
  • Auto headlights
  • Bi LED headlight with Auto high beam
  • Cornering light
  • Follow me home headlights
  • Headlight cleaners
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED rear lights
  • LED third brake light
• Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
  • 2 zone climate control with climate concierge and nanoe ion generator
• Interior Features
  • 12V socket in front and rear
  • 2 cup holders in the front and rear centre console
  • 2 USB ports type A and C in front centre console
  • 2 USB ports type C for charging in rear of centre console
  • 2 USB ports type C inside console box
  • 2 x fixed shopping bag hooks in boot
  • 3 spoke leather heated steering wheel with power adjust
  • 4 x tie down hooks in the boot
  • Card holder installed in driver and passengers sun visors
  • Front and rear door pockets
  • Front centre armrest with storage
  • Luggage storage tray under deck board to right side
  • Map pockets on front seats
  • Paddle shift controls
  • Rear armrest with 2 cup holders and storage
  • Self charging hybrid
  • Smooth leather shift knob
  • Tahara leather upholstery
• Interior Lights
  • LED ambient lighting
• Safety
  • 10 airbags - front, side, knee, front and rear curtain airbag
  • 2 x Isofix child rear seat restraints
  • 3 point front seat belts
  • Adjustable seat belt anchor points
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • ELR (Emergency locking retractor)
  • Fasten seatbelt reminder
  • Front and rear outer seat belt pre-tensioners
  • Front passenger's airbag cut off device
  • Seat belt force limiter
  • Three 3 point rear seatbelts
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Seats
  • Easy access system with tilt + telescopic
  • Fixed rear seat with trunk through
  • Front and rear head restraints
  • Heated front seats with 8 way electric adjustment and 2 way power lumbar support
  • Single front passenger seat
  • Whiplash injury lessening seats
• Security
  • Alarm
  • Central locking
  • Immobiliser
  • Locking wheel nuts
  • Smart entry + Smart start
  • Speed sensitive auto door locking
  • Two motion door lock with double lock
  • VIN Window etching
• Wheels - Alloy
  • 18" Alloy wheels
• Wheels - Spare
  • Tyre repair kit

• Electric Vehicle Data
  • Battery Capacity in kWh: 1.6
  • Battery Type: Nickel-Metal Hydride
• Emissions - ICE
  • HC+NOx:
  • Noise Level dB(A): 68
  • NOx: 0.002
  • Particles: 0.0001
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 120
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 124
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 120
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 137
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 141
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 137
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 105
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 108
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 105
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 136
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 141
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 136
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 104
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 106
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 104
• Engine and Drive Train
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Catalytic Convertor: Yes
  • CC: 2,487
  • Compression Ratio: 14.0:1
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Cylinders: 4
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 87.5
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 103.4
  • Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION
  • Gears: 1 SPEED
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Transmission: AUTO
• Fuel Consumption - ICE
  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: No
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 5.3
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 5.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.3
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 6.2
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 6.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 4.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 4.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 4.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 6.2
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 4.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 4.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 4.6
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 53.2
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 51.3
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 53.2
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 46.3
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 45.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 46.3
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 60.1
  • WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 58.8
  • WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 60.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 47
  • WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 45.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 47
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 61.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 60.1
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 61.4
• General
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: Yes
  • Badge Engine CC: 2.5
  • Badge Power: 218
  • Based On ID:
  • Coin Description: h
  • Coin Series: Premium
  • Generation Mark: 8
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 35E
  • Man Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12
  • Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:
  • NCAP Safety Assist %:
  • Safety Concerns?: No
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12
  • Service Interval Mileage: 10,000
  • Special Edition: No
  • Special Order: No
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60,000
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
• Performance
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): No
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.9
  • Engine Power - BHP: 218
  • Engine Power - KW: 160
  • Engine Power - PS: Yes
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5,700
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 163
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 22.5
  • Engine Torque - NM: 221
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 3600
  • Top Speed: 112
• Test Cycles
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2
• Tyres
  • Alloys?: Yes
  • Space Saver?: No
  • Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R18
  • Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R18
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: N
  • Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY
• Vehicle Dimensions
  • Height: 1,445
  • Height (including roof rails):
  • Length: 4,975
  • Wheelbase: 2,870
  • Width: 1865
  • Width (including mirrors): 2,117
• Weight and Capacities
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 50
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2,150
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 454
  • Max. Loading Weight: 410
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1,740
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.8

Ten Second Review
The Lexus ES is a full-sized Executive saloon that might get forgotten in a segment dominated by cars like the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes E-Class or the Audi A6. Yet it doesn't deserve to be. It offers (non-Plug-in) petrol/electric power for less than you'd pay for a smoky diesel version of a Teutonic competitor. And much more equipment too. If you want to spoil yourself in this segment and luxury and low running costs take precedence over drive dynamics, the ES could be an appealing package.

Background
It was time to do something different. Lexus has never made much impact on the full-sized Executive segment through four generations of its GS saloon. It was rear-driven, just as the brand thought Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6-segment buyers wanted. But it remained a minority, left-field choice. So the company's started again in this sector with this car, the ES. It's not a familiar nameplate in Europe but on the other side of the Atlantic, the ES (or 'Executive Saloon') model line dates back to 1989 and has amassed 2.3 million sales. Cynics say the ES is simply a poshed-up version of Toyota's largest world market saloon, the Camry. It's front-driven, like that car, is built in the same American factory and shares quite a bit of the same engineering. Lexus, in response, points to the huge design differences between the two models. And to the fact that the development sharing that has taken place has allowed them to price the ES below German diesel rivals, yet offer more sophisticated petrol/electric hybrid technology and higher levels of equipment.

Driving Experience
So what's the ES experience like? Very quiet, is the answer at the wheel of the ES300h petrol/electric hybrid version, which is the only one on offer in our market. Silence when first you begin and push the starter button. Silence when you ease through slow-moving rush hour traffic, the engine cutting in only above 25mph, unless you've a particularly heavy right foot. Like most hybrids, the car can trickle along powered by the battery pack only (as it is from start-off) or more usually, with a combination of both battery and engine, something you can monitor via a graphic display in the centre of the dash. Of course, you don't get the kind of pulling power that would be on offer from a rival four cylinder diesel model from rival models in this segment. This ES hybrid's 2.5-litre powerplant puts out 176bhp and only 221Nm of torque. Plus as usual with a Lexus Synergy Drive powertrain, you must have it mated to a belt-driven CVT auto gearbox that, when you need rapid power, tends to encourage engine flare but not a great deal of noticeable extra forward motion. Talking of that, 62mph from rest if you're really pushing on can be dealt with in 8.9s en route to 112mph. And there's a 'Drive Mode Select' system with 'Eco' and 'Sport' settings, depending on how you want to drive. The front driven layout doesn't have the bite of rear-driven German competitors at speed through the turns, but few likely Lexus buyers will care about that.

Design and Build
The looks of this car will be a major determining factor in making people want to try it. Quite a bit has been borrowed from the Lexus brand's top boardroom-level luxury saloon, the LS - and that's a good thing in our book. It gives this ES a car park presence that German rivals struggle to emulate. Under the skin, much might be shared with a humble Toyota Camry, but you'd never know it. There's much to like inside too. This car is longer, wider and slightly lower than the previous GS model, plus it has the advantage of front wheel drive packaging. All of that combines to produce a noticeably more spacious cabin. This is particularly evident in the rear, where legroom is plentiful. As for head room, well even six-footers will have no problem, despite the siting of the (new, smaller) nickel-metal hydride battery pack under the back seat. Up front, it's just as nice as cabins always are in Lexus models, with beautiful fit and finish and an interesting dash design that's refreshingly different from the fascias served up by German rivals. The infotainment system's an improvement over the set-up's provided in other Lexus models and comes with either an 8.0-inch or a 12.3-inch screen, depending on spec.

Market and Model
There's a single petrol/electric hybrid engine option and a single saloon body style, but three levels of trim - standard, 'F Sport' and top 'Takumi'. ES pricing starts at around £35,000. For the 'F Sport', you'll need around £38,000 and for the top 'Takumi', budget at around the £46,000 mark. All variants are well equipped. Even the base ES has 17-inch alloy wheels, Lexus Navigation with eight-inch central display, a DAB tuner, parking sensors, power-adjustable heated front seats, a sunroof and smart 'Tahara' upholstery. Upgrade to the ES 'F Sport' and you get an F Sport interior and exterior styling details, plus 19-inch alloy wheels, F Sport seats and Adaptive sports suspension. The top ES 'Takumi' has a power boot lid with a hands-free kick sensor, plus heated and power-reclining rear seats, a 12.3-inch centre-dash display, a Mark Levinson premium surround sound audio, a 360-degree camera, triple-zone air conditioning, triple-eye LED multi-weather headlights with an Adaptive High-beam System and an adaptive front-lighting set-up. All versions come with the Lexus Safety System+ package. A range of equipment option packs are also available, giving customers the opportunity to add bundled additional technology, comfort and convenience features. Particularly popular will be the Premium Pack. This adds leather seat upholstery, front seat ventilation, a lower rear screen sunshade, triple-eye LED multi-weather headlights with an Adaptive High-beam System, 18-inch alloy wheels, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert with automatic braking.

Cost of Ownership
This hybrid is of the non-Plug-in kind: which is why it's so much cheaper than German hybrid rivals who only offer Plug-in technology. On to the figures. An ES300h manages up to 59.3mpg on the combined cycle (WLTP) and between 100-106g/km of CO2 (depending on wheel size). In comparison, an Audi A6 40 TDI 2.0-litre diesel model can manage 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and 117g/km of CO2. As you'd expect, to get the full benefit of the potential efficiency of this Lexus, you've got to do your part as a driver - and that means proactive use of the various modes and systems provided. To get anywhere near the figures being quoted, you'll need to keep the car locked into the 'Drive Mode Select' system's 'Eco' mode, which moderates throttle response and engine power output while tweaking the climate control. Plus you'll also need to keep a very careful eye on the Hybrid system indicator that replaces the usual rev counter on the dash, making sure that the needle stays as often as possible in either of the blue 'Eco' or 'Charge' zones. Garage visits should cost you significantly less than would be the case with a diesel rival, thanks to the low maintenance requirements built into the Hybrid Synergy Drive system. As part of this, there's no starter motor or alternator to go wrong, no drive belts to break, a maintenance-free timing chain, no particulate filter to get clogged up with diesel fumes and of course, thanks to the CVT auto gearbox, no clutch either.

Summary
The car magazines will tell you that most buyers in the full-sized Executive sector expect a highly tuned degree of handling finesse from their saloons. Which of course is rubbish. The average business buyer of a car of this kind wants comfort, luxury and the lowest benefit-in-kind taxation position possible as part of an exemplary low running cost proposition. All of which the ES delivers better than any other contender in this segment. No, you can't throw it around like a 5 Series or even an A6. The hybrid electric drivetrain can still be frustrating when instant acceleration is called for. And yes, there is a slight whiff of Toyota Camry in some elements of this design. But it's very well disguised. If you're after the most rational choice in the class, you're looking at it right here.