LET’S settle the confusing part first: where exactly does the ES250 sedan fit into the Lexus line-up? In terms of price, it slots in below the GS executive saloon and IS compactexecutive, but is similar in size to the former and as well equipped as the latter.
Think of the ES as a Camry for luxury-minded customers. Lexus doesn’t really like this description, but it is possibly the most accurate.
To keep the price at acceptable levels, the ES250 uses a rather old-fashioned 2,5-litre, four-cylinder engine that develops 135 kW and 235 N.m at 4 100 r/min. The only other option in the newly launched range is the ES300h hybrid, which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, but that car will set you back R515 000 compared with the ES250’s rather attractive R435 900 list price. Also, in true Toyota and Lexus fashion, the ES250 is offered with very few options. Which makes it a very appealing car if you consider what else is on offer in the market (more of that in moment).
The ES250 is the only Lexus in our market to be powered solely via the front wheels. Ostensibly, this is to kerb excessive fuel consumption; rear-wheel-driven vehicles tend to experience higher powertrain losses. The result is a claimed 8,0 litres/100 km, which considering the technology of the engine and the size of the ES seems more than acceptable.
Power is sent to the wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. As there are no steering wheel-mounted paddles to shift gears, the aim of the car is clearly for the driver to leave it to its own devices. It takes its time to switch through the gears, a characteristic that is a little out of line compared with the quick-shifting transmissions of several of the more expensive competitors.
However, on our test strip it still managed to dip below the 10-second barrier and achieved an acceleration run to 100 km/h in 9,72 seconds. Our fuel-route figure of 8,7 litres/
100 km was better than we expected, but this could easily increase if you have a few adults on board or even if you are in a hurry. Then again, if Lexus had to fit a more fuel-efficient and modern engine in the ES, it would not have been able to offer the car at this price.
Based on the same platform as the RX (and the luxurious Toyota Avalon sold in the USA), the ES rides rather well on its generous 17-inch wheels. We drove it extensively in town as well as on the open country roads of the Western Cape and it was particularly impressive in its absorption of bumps
and irregularities.
Needless to say, it’s not the type of car you push too hard through corners, but never does it encourage such behaviour anyway.
These days, you rarely experience a small-displacement naturally aspirated engine in a car of the ES’s size. There is a reason for this, namely acceleration – especially through the gears – and fuel consumption. When you want to overtake traffic in the ES, there’s no other option than to press the throttle to the floor. This experience is even more prominent once at highway speeds.
Relax behind the wheel, though, and you soon start to appreciate the spacious cabin and how well Lexus has succeeded in keeping it quiet in almost any scenario. It has even gone as far as to fit low-noise Yokohama Decibel tyres.
On the topic of the car’s interior, it’s not only spacious at the front (although the “transmission tunnel” is somewhat intrusive), but is especially roomy for rear-seat passengers; even occupants as tall as 1,9 metres have enough headroom. Kneeroom isn’t a problem either; in fact, according to our measurements it has more space in the second row than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class tested on page 50.
There is a drawback to the rear seats, though: they can’t fold flat, seriously hampering practicality. At 400 dm3, the boot space is at least on par with the Volkswagen Passat’s.
Although the ES slots in below the smaller IS, the cabin offers a mix of the latter’s and the pricier GS’s design elements and functions. The flow of the dashboard, the thick-rimmed steering wheel and stitching throughout the cabin are highlights that we’ve become used to seeing in Lexus models.
Dual-zone air conditioning, park-distance control, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, a sunroof, a reverse camera and an infotainment screen with satellite navigation all form part of the car’s extensive list of standard specification.
Test Summary
In terms of its drivetrain, the ES250 might not offer the latest technology, but it ticks enough boxes to make it a convincing package. It offers a very comfortable ride and easily swallows five adults and their weekend luggage. With an impressive standard level of specification – including 10 airbags – and a great price, the ES250 will definitely appeal to family-focused buyers, retirees and companies that are looking for an affordable luxury car to shuttle VIPs.
Think of the ES as an icon reimagined, or to quote one member of the team: “A Camry with a veneer of Lexus. It’s excellent value for money, comfortable and spacious.”