Lexus ES upgraded again
Updated Japanese luxury sedan ditches infotainment touchpad for ‘Hey Lexus’ voice controlLess than 12 months after the Lexus ES received a host of upgrades in September 2021 – including a more affordable petrol variant, mechanical improvements and added equipment – the mid-size luxury sedan has come in for another batch of updates.
The upgraded version of the current Lexus ES, which was first introduced in 2018 and unlike the soon-to-be-discontinued Lexus IS is front-wheel drive, will enter production for Europe in August and is likely make its way Down Under in early 2023, bringing improved connectivity, more tech, and trim enhancements.
That includes the deletion of the controversial infotainment touchpad – which is replaced by a pair of cup holders – and the addition of a new Toyota-sourced infotainment unit bringing wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, navigation and improved voice control functionality.
The latter takes a leaf out of the Mercedes-Benz multimedia playbook, offering a new voice-activated ‘Hey Lexus’ on-board assistant.
Two USB ports (one A and one C), as well as a wireless phone charging pad will also become standard up front.
There will also be an upgraded data communication module (DCM) to allow 24/7 ‘e-Care’, bringing tech support that will notify the owner when a service is due, among other things.
The same module will bring access to remote features – including remote start, lock/unlock, climate control adjustments, etc – via the Lexus app.
Elsewhere inside the cabin, a new Rich Cream trim colour joins the line-up, while an F Sport Design variant available overseas will bring black 19-inch alloys, F Sport Design badging and a choice of 10 exterior and four interior colour options.
Nothing has changed under the bonnet, where Lexus will continue to offer three powertrains in overseas markets: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid and a 3.5-litre petrol V6.
Unlikely to change for Australia is the pair of Lexus ES model grades offered here – the four-cylinder petrol ES 250 and four-cylinder hybrid ES 300h, both powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the latter boosted by an electric motor.
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