Upgraded Lexus ES priced

Lexus Australia has announced pricing for its facelifted Lexus ES range, with a new ES 250 petrol variant providing a slightly more affordable entry point to the premium mid-size sedan range.

Along with mechanical improvements and extra equipment that were detailed earlier this month, the Japanese car-maker says the 2021 Lexus ES also brings a host of “ES firsts” including Emergency Steering Assist, Intersection Turn Assist and Lexus Connected Services (SOS call, stolen vehicle tracking and automatic collision notification) across the range.

Now opening proceedings from $61,620 plus on-road costs, the new ES 250 Luxury kicks off the range, fitted with a 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that sends power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Base-spec ES 250 Luxury grades can be loaded up with a $1500 Enhancement Pack, while an ES 250 F Sport is also available from $70,860 plus ORCs.

According to Lexus, the new petrol variants – which weigh in 60kg lighter than their equivalent ES 300h hybrid counterparts – offer a “lighter and more agile alternative for customers seeking a sportier luxury sedan feel”.

The hybrid variants continue with the same Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury model grades, each with price increases of more than $1000.

The most affordable hybrid ES remains the ES 300h Luxury, now priced from $63,550 plus ORCs (+$1025), while the ES 300h Sports Luxury continues to top the range, at $78,180 (+$1180).

Splitting the two is the ES 300h F Sport at $72,930 plus ORCs (+$1430).

Every hybrid-powered ES uses a carryover 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain, producing a combined output of 160kW.

Lexus says ES 300h variants will consume 4.8L/100km on the official combined cycle, while the petrol-powered ES 250 returns 6.6L/100km.

Meanwhile, performance in the ES 300h – even given its chunkier kerb weight – is slightly more impressive with a 0-100km/h sprint said to take 8.9 seconds, 0.2sec quicker than the ES 250.

Standard safety and driver assistance aids across the facelifted ES range include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, lane trace assist, traffic sign assist and tyre pressure monitoring.

A larger 12.3-inch central touch-screen now features in every upgraded ES, with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, sat-nav and a 10-speaker sound system all on-board.

For ES 300h F Sport grades, Lexus says customers can expect enhanced body rigidity and more controlled adaptive variable suspension (AVS).

Lexus says the option of a new petrol-powered ES is the result of consistent sales growth over the past three years, with the Japanese car-maker saying it expects around 85 per cent of ES customers to continue choosing hybrid over petrol.

It also arrives just as the smaller Lexus IS and CT model lines (as well as the RC) are being removed from showrooms because they do not adhere to new ADR 85 side impact safety regulations <<< /lexus-models-killed-off-by-new-side-impact-regs-130771/ >>> that come into effect on October 31 this year.

How much does the 2021 Lexus ES cost?
250 Luxury – $61,620
250 F Sport – $70,860
300h Luxury – $63,550
300h F Sport – $72,930
300h Sports Luxury – $78,180
* Pricing excludes on-road costs