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• Lexus' updated ES luxury sedan is now available in South Africa.
• Three models are on offer, with two being powered by a hybrid powertrain.
• The Lexus ES is priced from R719 400.
• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24
The Lexus ES has been a mainstay in the Japanese automaker's arsenal for more than thirty years. It spans a total of seven generations, with each one improving on the previous. The luxury car is the most affordable sedan in Lexus' portfolio, yet it has all the bells and whistles expected from a Lexus.
According to Lexus, the updated ES is a more spacious, quieter and safer car than any previous model. The automaker says: "A new generation of customers is being introduced to a sedan with sharpened performance, class-leading safety technology and a level of craftsmanship rarely found in this market segment."
Over the last three decades, more than 2.3 million ES models have been sold globally.
South African specification
The refreshed ES will see three model grades in South Africa. Kickstarting the range is the ES 250 EX and ES 300 Hybrid. The latter is available in EX and SE specifications. A choice of 17- and 18-inch wheels are available to the ES range.
Lexus says that the ES' driving position has been refined with a more natural steering wheel angle, revised pedal positions, and a 10-way adjustable seat as standard for the hybrid SE grade. The steering wheel itself is borrowed directly from the LS and features heating elements for the SE. Heated front seats are also standard for the driver and front passenger in the SE grade.
The hybrid models are equipped with Lexus Navigation EMV.
Also standard on the ES range are keyless smart entry, a moonroof, twin-front and twin-rear USB-C ports, DAB+ digital radio, 10-speaker audio (EX grades), Mark Levinson 17 Speaker audio (SE) and both with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
There are also two new exterior colours for the range, namely Sonic Iridium, Sonic Chrome, and Graphite Black across the whole range.
Engine line-up
The ES 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Outputs are rated at 152kW and 243Nm. Lexus claims a fuel return of 6.6-litres/100km while top speed is rated at 210km/h.
The ES 300h grades are equipped with Lexus' fourth-generation, self-charging hybrid drive system. It couples the aforementioned 2.5-litre petrol engine with a lighter, more compact and more power-dense electric motor. Total system power is 160kW, and combined cycle fuel economy is from 4.6-litres/100km. The ES 300h sprints from 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and is electronically-governed to a top speed of 180km/h.
The Lexus ES comes standard with a seven-year or 105 000km warranty and maintenance plan.
- Lexus ES 250 EX - R719 400
- Lexus ES 300h EX - R774 400
- Lexus ES 300h SE - R948 400
