First Drive: 2013 Lexus ES

[omoderncultureo]

Oregon's Willamette Valley is where the mythical Lexus ES 350 owner goes on vacation. He's worn down by his long commute, but when he gets a few days off, he heads right back out on the interstate. Hundreds of miles later, he finds tranquility and plenty of pinot noir in this famous wine region.

Although we think of the Lexus ES 350 as a uniquely North American car, our man could just as easily live in China. The ES is the No. 2 selling Lexus there (behind the RX), just as it is in the U.S. Lexus officials paid a lot of attention to both markets while working on the 2013 Lexus ES 350, and the result is a redesigned entry-level luxury sedan with more interior room, better fuel economy and an available four-cylinder hybrid version — the 2013 Lexus ES 300h.

Together the 2013 Lexus ES 350 and 2013 Lexus ES 300h represent a "truly global ES," says Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi. Skeptical? Well, it turns out we have plenty in common with the commuters and oenophiles in China.

FULL ARTICLE

[Infiniti]

GS instead please


This new ES doesnt do anything for me both inside and out unfortunately

[genjy]

Isn't my kind of car, but that's a great looking car.

[Bones_Jones]

looks so much better than the previous version inside and out.

[RWD_only]

Hahahahaha, this is my right in my area.

This is Domane Serene


Not sure exactly which winery this is, possibly Erath, but anyway the hill in the background is where my folks live (on the other side of the ridge)


And this is where I grew up. I get a kick out of this because the town is swarming with Lexuses (usually RXs,) BMWs, and Mercs. PACERS 4 LIFE!


/CSB

The 2013 definitely seems to be a massive improvement both inside and out. The side profile in red seem especially flattering. Not my kind of car, but this should be a hit for Lexus.

[kingrukus]

Looks a lot better than the GS.

[Anony00GT]

It's still just a Camry underneath...

[Mazda 3s]

It's still just a Camry underneath...

Someone didn't read the damn article

As we slide into the backseat of the 2013 Lexus ES 350, it's clear we're on the same page regarding legroom. For the first time in its 25-year history, the ES does not share its wheelbase with the Toyota Camry (109.3 inches). Instead, it now matches the full-size Toyota Avalon (111 inches) in terms of space between the wheels. Rear legroom increases from just under 36 inches in the 2012 ES 350 to 40 inches even.

Anyway, another preview:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_first_drive/

[Avicenna]

Weird... I like it. Sort of want

[masa8888]

Big improvement over the last gen, but the newer Lexuses are extremely polarizing. They all look fantastic with the F-Sport package, but incredibly awkward without it.

[2.0T_Convert]

Someone didn't read the damn article

Anyway, another preview:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_first_drive/

Later in the article the reviewers call the ES basically a Camry under the skin..

Per Wiki the Avalon is just a stretched Camry platform.

[koko12]

Looks pretty sleek yet conservative, it'll age well. The biggest improvement however, is the interior which is much better executed than the outgoing model. Also I like that Lexus seem to be shunning away from the hight belt-line, bulbous looks most manufacturer seems to be going for these days.

[maskedSONY]

It's still bulletproof and still boring.

[vdub10golf]

That grille....

[Oliver@triplezoom]

This is a huge improvement in terms of styling over the last couple generations of ES.

[curvedinfinity]

Good looking car

[classicjetta]

First ES I've liked since the XV10

[BsickPassat]

It's still just a Camry underneath...

...says the person with an platform with an cheap, inferior torsion beam rear suspension

(the Camry has always had an independent rear suspension).....

[alfafan]

It's still just a Camry underneath...

At least now when I look at the new one a Camry isn't the first thing that comes to mind. This will do very well.

[clutchrider]

[Avus]

It's still just a Camry underneath...

This really made u look stupid... It is like saying don't buy Audi TT, it is still just Golf underneath.

As for this new ES, i actually like its look. It doesn't scream "old man car" as much as before. Have potential to have a F model. (which i think probably have no chance for that)

[Turbio!]

It looks great until you get around to the front, where that big, stupid, fussy grille just ruins the whole party. It's too bad the baby boomers rule the car market thee days, because their generational affection for fussy, inelegant detailing really sucks.

[mutcth]

It looks great until you get around to the front, where that big, stupid, fussy grille just ruins the whole party. It's too bad the baby boomers rule the car market thee days, because their generational affection for fussy, inelegant detailing really sucks.

OK, I'll bite because I'm sincerely curious about this. Is this really a baby boomer trait? Any other examples?

Tom

[kingrukus]

OK, I'll bite because I'm sincerely curious about this. Is this really a baby boomer trait? Any other examples?

Tom

Here is an example of a 27 year old female designed mess:

[Turbio!]

But who was it designed FOR? Not other 27 year olds.

I would be happy to expand more, but I'm largely basing this on the perceptions of my parents and some of their colleagues in the furniture industry. They're all convinced that boomers have strange taste that seems to prioritize fussy, busy, ornamented designs, and that Gen X and the Millennials prefer simpler and more functional designs.

[2.0T_Convert]

But who was it designed FOR? Not other 27 year olds.

I would be happy to expand more, but I'm largely basing this on the perceptions of my parents and some of their colleagues in the furniture industry. They're all convinced that boomers have strange taste that seems to prioritize fussy, busy, ornamented designs, and that Gen X and the Millennials prefer simpler and more functional designs.

Well... if the boomers prefer this type of style... and boomers are the ones buying the ES....


your point ?

[dos]

Looks pretty sleek yet conservative, it'll age well. The biggest improvement however, is the interior which is much better executed than the outgoing model. Also I like that Lexus seem to be shunning away from the hight belt-line, bulbous looks most manufacturer seems to be going for these days.

I think it looks pretty good in these pics. My brother had the old ES and it was boring, but man that thing could soak up some highway miles and fly under the radar.

[Saintor]

Superb.

One has to admire the efficiency. 0-60mph in 7.4s and 40mpg. I still don't like a 4 cyl. in this class.

[Shomegrown]

Superb.

One has to admire the efficiency. 0-60mph in 7.4s and 40mpg. I still don't like a 4 cyl. in this class.

I have a car in the driveway that does 0-60 in the 4's and can get 40 mpg, but somehow I doubt you'd admire it.

[Saintor]

I have a car in the driveway that does 0-60 in the 4's and can get 40 mpg, but somehow I doubt you'd admire it.

I was talking about serious stuff, real EPA figures, not jokers who don't know how to calculate. Specially the diesel ones - they are the worst.

[blahblahyoutoo]

Someone didn't read the damn article




Anyway, another preview:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_first_drive/

oh ok. it's an avalon now.

[Turbio!]

Well... if the boomers prefer this type of style... and boomers are the ones buying the ES....


your point ?

As I said at first, I don't think pandering to that sense of style has done the world of car design a lot of good.

[mutcth]

I'm wondering if it's pandering, or instead somewhat heavy-handed Lexus designers trying to force an ugly corporate grille onto everything that they build.

Given the ZDX's less-than-meteoric sales, not sure that was too successful at grabbing the imagination of boomers. (Not that it isn't flawed in other ways.)

Tom

[Mazda 3s]

It looks great until you get around to the front, where that big, stupid, fussy grille just ruins the whole party. It's too bad the baby boomers rule the car market thee days, because their generational affection for fussy, inelegant detailing really sucks.

I not understand what all the fuss is about the grille It looks perfect in this application.

I also don't understand it because so many people here cream their pants over Audis with their big grilles.

These two shots from an earlier post are perfection:

[J-Tim]

It's still bulletproof and still boring.

Mission accomplished.

Too bad I don't do people's tax returns so I could fully appreciate this car.