The Lexus ES is a new addition to the luxury automaker’s European range and it indirectly replaces the GS in the region, posing against traditional German executives like the Mercedes E-Class, the Audi A6 and the BMW 5-Series.
While the front grille retains that divisive new corporate look, the overall design of the new Lexus ES is quite smart as it avoids looking blunt like some of its rivals, but not so much that will scare customers away.
Lexus has also a tradition in creating some of the most well-built cabins in the business, and the same applies to the new ES; most of the materials are from the top shelf while some of the details make it look and feel expensive and special, as they should.
Sure, the infotainment system might require some time to get used to it and the positioning of some of the controls might look strange at first, but the seats are really comfortable and the sound insulation of the cabin is pretty impressive, giving the new ES valuable premium points.
Despite being available in Europe, there’s no diesel option like most of its competitors. Lexus only offers the ES 300h with a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit with an electric motor. The result is a combined 215hp but, more importantly, fuel economy is a combined 60.1 mpg UK (4.7lt/100km), placing the ES 300h directly against the more popular diesel versions of the German establishment.
So, on paper the the 2019 Lexus ES 300h looks pretty competitive. In the following video you can find out if that translate on the road as well.