2019 Lexus ES 300h: Explained in detail

-    The seventh-generation ES sedan comes with a price tag of Rs 59.13 lakhs (ex-showroom all-India).

-    Moves to the new K (GA-K) platform and gets LS-inspired styling. 

-    It takes a CBU route in India and rivals the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. 

Lexus India has officially launched the new-generation ES sedan in India for the price of Rs 59.13 lakhs (ex-showroom all-India). The sedan enters into its seventh generation and was first showcased at this year’s Beijing Motor show in April. 

The mid-size sedan now moves to Toyota’s new Global Architecture – K (GA-K) platform. This move helps it become lighter and more dynamic. Power comes from the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a hybrid drive which is paired with an electric motor to generate 202bhp of power and 213Nm of torque. The transmission is an E-CVT. The powertrain is Euro 6 compliant and returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 22.37kmpl. 

The new platform also helps the sedan grow in size and now it looks like a scaled down LS. The imposing Spindle grille has been taken straight from the flagship and lends the ES more street presence than before. The new LED headlights are redesigned to be sleeker but it retains the overall shape. The bumper has chrome inserts and redesigned fog lamps, both of which are more akin to the LS. The silhouette remains more or less similar to the outgoing car and it sits on new 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. As for the rear, the vehicle gets new LED tail lamps with a restyled cluster design and a large boot-lid mounted spoiler. 

The interior is as opulent as one may expect from a Lexus badged vehicle. The human-centric design approach lends a functional and advanced cabin. The highlights of the long features list are console mounted climate and audio controls along with adjustable and heated semi-aniline seats, and 17 speaker Mark Levinson Pure Play system. The instrument cluster has a seven-inch LCD screen with a large analog tachometer and heads up display. The 12.3-inch centre console screen has navigation while the wireless charger is placed beneath the centre armrest. The cabin can be had in four colour schemes and three type of trims. The ES also offers two shades of Shimamoku wood as well as light-colored Bamboo trims with Takumi craftsmanship. The boot space has been increased to 454 litres that also fits in a full sized spare wheel.

The new ES is priced on par with the model it replaces. But it comes at a slight premium over its German counterparts – Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. But for the same price, other options such as Volvo XC60, Jeep Wrangler or the Jaguar F-Pace can provide SUV body style with added muscularity. But the ES is an exclusive and stylish car which can turn heads on the street like no other executive sedan can.