With its fashionable tackle luxurious, the 2023 Lexus ES blends eco-friendly frugality, sporty touches, and conventional luxurious. The 2023 Lexus ES is a mid-size luxurious sedan with a giant, well-outfitted cabin. It may be shopped in opposition to the Cadillac CT5 and the Acura TLX. For those who can resist the SUV craze, the Lexus ES stands out as a extremely rational selection.
After a giant replace final 12 months, the ES coasts into 2023 with welcome information: a brand new middle console which removes the touchpad controller and replaces that interface with an ordinary 8.0-inch touchscreen or an elective 12.3-inch unit. This conventional large sedan shares underpinnings with the Toyota Camry and the dearly departed Toyota Avalon, however it charts a extra upscale course. It’s simply Lexus’ hottest passenger automotive, however it trails the RX crossover SUV within the gross sales race.
The well-tailored Lexus ES strikes a dashing pose. The low entrance finish wears one of many cleanest interpretations but of Lexus’ now-signature “spindle” grille, although it’s surrounded by a pair of chrome whiskers that appear misplaced. The less-is-more theme continues alongside the aspect, the place the ES has a low, sinewy stance and a minimal of fussiness. It’s comparatively brash from the rear because of a large mild bar capped by a strip of brightwork.
A number of powertrain choices improve the 2023 Lexus ES, which prioritizes consolation above all else. The ES 250 has the bottom quantity on its trunk, and it makes use of a 203-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 teamed to an 8-speed automated transmission. We’ve not pushed this mannequin, although on paper it’s mild on energy for a 3,800-lb luxurious sedan with all-wheel drive. Lexus quotes a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds for this drivetrain. All-wheel drive is customary on the ES 250, however not out there on the ES 350 or ES 300h.
The following-up ES 300h turns issues round with a hybrid system consisting of a single electrical motor and a nickel-metal-hydride battery teamed to the two.5-liter inline-4 for a complete output of 215 hp. This mix means a broader torque curve, too, which helps endow the ES 300h with first rate energy; it’s faster than the bottom model, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. It could actually grumble occasionally, and we’re not enormous followers of the repeatedly variable automated transmission (CVT) for the way in which it tends to maintain the engine working onerous at increased revs for passing energy. Nonetheless, for many customers, that is the perfect total powertrain, principally for its gasoline financial system and calming driving nature.
Topping the road, at the least by way of energy, is the ES 350. Its 302-hp V-6 offers standard grunt, accompanied by a light snarl. It’s essentially the most refined engine right here, and it really works brilliantly with its 8-speed automated companion. Its 0-60 mph instances are quoted at 6.6 seconds.
Most fashions have a smooth, well-damped journey and steering with affordable heft. Entrance-wheel-drive fashions may be geared up with an F Sport Dealing with Bundle with adaptive dampers, Sport+ and Customized drive modes, all for a extra responsive and fascinating really feel. Prime-line Extremely Luxurious trims are fitted with those self same trick efficiency dampers that give them even higher journey high quality and a touch much less physique lean in more durable cornering. There’s no disguising this mannequin’s heft on a winding highway, however so long as you don’t stay on a canyon in Southern California, the ES is completely suited to day-to-day driving.
The 2023 Lexus ES hybrid is about as guilt-free as a luxurious automotive will get. The ES 350 is the preferred mannequin, and it’s rated at 22 mpg metropolis, 32 freeway, 26 mixed. That’s not dangerous given its energy output, however the hybrid is manner thriftier. The hybrid charges 43/44/44 mpg in EPA testing. In the meantime, the 4-cylinder ES 250h charges 25/34/28 mpg.
The 2023 Lexus ES is a security customary. With wonderful scores from the NHTSA and the IIHS augmented by nice crash-avoidance tech and outward imaginative and prescient, the 2023 Lexus ES is a best choice. The NHTSA charges it at 5 stars total, whereas the IIHS says it’s a Prime Security Choose+ when fitted with out there LED headlights. Customary fare contains automated emergency braking, blind-spot screens, energetic lane management, automated high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise management. A surround-view digital camera system and parking sensors are broadly out there.
The 2023 Lexus ES is a well-wrought luxurious sedan with a capacious cabin. Calm, composed, and lovely, the Lexus ES has a effective cabin for the cash. Inside, the two-tier sprint is capped by a large 12.3-inch touchscreen in most configurations. (An 8.0-inch show is customary, however you’ll need the larger display screen.) Small buttons and switches relaxation beneath. One nod to the previous: a CD participant lurks low on the middle stack.
The ES stretches a hefty 196 inches lengthy, which endows it with good inside room. Entrance seats with energy adjustment accommodate a variety of our bodies, with little pretense of sporty bolstering. 5 adults can slide inside, although the third row is a bit slender for 3 large folks abreast. Oddly, row two’s backrest doesn’t fold down, so that you’ll must pay additional for large-item supply when out procuring.
Artificial leather-based comes customary, whereas a smooth grade of actual stuff is on the choices listing. Different luxurious bits embody open-pore wooden, heated and cooled entrance seats, and contrasting stitching. Two-tone cabins is usually a bit jarring at first, however shut consideration to element makes them a pleasant place to whittle away miles. Oh, after which there’s all that sound deadening. The ES is downright silent.
The 2023 Lexus ES is an honest worth and Lexus affords an enormous array of 2023 ES configurations. Even base fashions are effectively outfitted at $42,490 to begin; cash that buys both an ES 350 or an ES 250. A equally optioned ES 300h prices about $1,200 extra, no matter trim. All ES fashions are backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile guarantee.
Base fashions put on artificial leather-based inside, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable entrance seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels. A $2,430 Premium Bundle looks like a gimme for its heated and cooled entrance seats with reminiscence for the motive force, wi-fi charging pad, wooden trim, and rear cross-traffic alerts, plus just a few different small gadgets.
For $47,660 to begin, the ES in Luxurious trim tosses in many of the Premium Bundle options plus actual leather-based trim. Think about one other $1,030 for the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and also you’ll nonetheless be taking a look at a remaining invoice below $50,000. For the F Sport Design or Extremely Luxurious trim and Lexus will need the higher a part of $52,000, although these well-equipped fashions rival full-size sedans for his or her options.
The 2023 Lexus ES is essentially the most spectacular ES thus far. With the inside updates to the 2023 ES, Lexus builds upon a protracted legacy of management by embracing its core values and bestowing gorgeous styling, refined environment friendly driving dynamics that received’t disappoint, and cutting-edge know-how. The 2023 Lexus ES is the perfect ES ever, there’s nothing it doesn’t do effectively.
