2021 Lexus ES

The midsize executive sedan market isn't exactly thriving and the Lexus ES is yet another unfortunate victim of the trend. This once prestigious class now has to share its space with SUVs and crossovers of all kinds. Still, competition is fierce: German brands still cling to the top with impressive machines such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but if you look hard enough, you'll find some fantastic value elsewhere, such as in the case of the 2021 Lexus ES. This Japanese luxury sedan can't match the dynamism of its German rivals but offers a hushed ride and a luxurious interior at a significant discount. Powered by a 302-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, newly introduced 2.5-liter four-pot, or a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain, the ES won't win any track day battles, but it is difficult to ignore at the price.

The 2021 Lexus ES is stylish in the same way that a generic airport coffee shop is stylish. It looks good but is pretty forgettable. Standard features on base models include 17-inch alloy wheels with a split 10-spoke design, a power moonroof, and LED lighting. Luxury and Ultra Luxury trims add 18-inch alloy wheels with the latter offering noise-reduction wheels, while the F Sport gets 19-inch five-spoke wheels, a color-keyed rear spoiler, and a more aggressive front bumper and grille. The limited Black Line Special Edition has a black rear spoiler, black wing mirrors, and a dark finish for its 19-inch wheels.

This mid-size executive sedan measures 195.9 inches in length, making it a fraction longer than the BMW 5 Series but over four inches shorter than the Volvo S90. The overall width of the 2021 ES is 73.4 inches, it's 56.9 inches tall and rides on a 113-inch wheelbase. Versions equipped with AWD are slightly taller at 57.1 inches.

Depending on the trim, the Lexus ES has a curb weight of between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, with hybrid derivatives being on the heavier end of the spectrum.

The Lexus ES is the perfect mid-size luxury sedan for those who want all the comfort afforded by German rivals, but without having to shout about it. If you get one of these cars in black or white, you'll happily blend in with traffic without drawing too much attention. Lexus offers the ES in 12 different colors, namely Nightfall Mica, Eminent White Pearl, Nebula Gray Pearl, Silver Lining Metallic, Atomic Silver, Obsidian, Caviar, Matador Red Mica, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, and Sunlit Green. None of these colors will cost anything extra besides Eminent White Pearl, which goes for $425. Most of these color options are quite subdued, but if you're looking for something more striking, we'd suggest going with Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0. This color costs $595 and is limited to F Sport derivatives. Ultra White is also limited to the sportier models for an additional $425. As color availability differs from trim to trim, the configurator will help you find out if your color of choice is compatible with the trim you want.

Unlike its more athletic German rivals, such as the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series, the Lexus ES takes on a more relaxed role and focuses mainly on passenger comfort instead of outright performance. That is not to say this luxury sedan is entirely hopeless. The base ES 250, offered only in AWD guise, is a good choice if you're purely in it for the refinement and luxury. Its 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine isn't the most willing, with Lexus claiming it can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 131 mph. The hybrid version is no sports car either, but is sprightlier than the base models in terms of off-the-line haste, although topping out at 112 mph, and returning good fuel economy figures. We recommend sticking with the 3.5-liter V6 gas engine that produces a healthy 302 hp at the front wheels. This engine offers class-leading power and a smoothness that is hard to match, especially from smaller-capacity turbocharged units. The ES 350 will sprint to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds and reach the same limited top speed. That's not earth-shattering, but you'll most certainly keep up with traffic.

There are three engine options available for 2021. The ES 250 comes with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine choice will be perfect for those planning on sticking to the city limits where the four-pot engine can happily mill about in traffic and save on fuel. The ES 250 makes its lack of power abundantly clear and struggles to overtake at higher speeds and especially when heavily loaded. The Lexus ES Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder/electric motor combination producing 215 hp, and doesn't feel particularly quick either. We suggest sticking with the 3.5-liter V6 engine, which trades all-wheel drive for more power. This power plant produces a healthy 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque and is also paired with an eight-speed automatic. The V6 is silky smooth and has a beautifully linear powerband. There's enough go for most situations, and highway cruising is effortless and suits the ES' luxurious and refined image.

Lexus is best known for building comfortable cars that coddle its occupants, and we're glad to report that nothing much has changed. The 2021 Lexus ES competes with some impressive driver's cars in the USA such as the BMW 5 Series, but unlike its peers, its main focus is on driver and passenger comfort. At slow speeds, the ES soaks up bumps and feels floaty, bordering on serene, without feeling sloppy. The ES will still happily take on a set of corners and offers a surprisingly high amount of grip for a car of its size and weight, but understeer is ever-present, and turn-in isn't as sharp as a 5 Series or A6. If you're after something a bit more capable, the F Sport comes with larger wheels and a sport suspension setup, but even in this configuration, the Lexus ES can't keep up with its European rivals.

The two engine options on offer for 2021 both come with their pros and cons. The apparent benefit of the smaller 2.5-liter engine is its superior gas mileage figures. Despite its AWD drivetrain configuration, the ES 250 AWD will return 25/34/28 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles, according to the EPA. The more powerful 3.5-liter V6 in the ES 350 will see those numbers drop down to 22/32/26 mpg, which isn't a huge sacrifice for all the extra power this more powerful engine offers. The F Sport is the heaviest of the lot, with a figure of 22/31/25 mpg. With a 15.9-gallon fuel tank, expect a maximum range of between 398 miles and 445 miles.

For greater efficiency, the ES 300h hybrid will manage 43/44/44 mpg. Despite the hybrid's smaller 13.2-gallon tank, it still has an impressive range of 580 miles.

Lexus knows how to build a good interior, and while the design might not be as sleek or good looking as its German or Swedish rivals, it's still a luxurious place to be in, and the material choices and build quality is impressive. We think the sweeping central dash design looks a bit dated, and the stalks jutting out of the cowl covering the driver cluster is an odd choice, but we can't fault much more than that, especially when you consider the value you're getting for your money. Passenger space is excellent and every model comes with dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable front seats. Upper trims feature classy semi-aniline leather upholstery.

Comfort is the name of the game, and the Lexus ES, more so than most of its rivals, focuses on passenger space. Getting in and out of the ES is easy; there isn't a dramatically sloping roofline or an impractically low ride height to contend with. Once inside, the cabin feels spacious, and that's because it is. In the front, six-footers will enjoy an abundance of space and a generous 42.4 inches of legroom. At the back, there is a similarly generous 39.2 inches of legroom, more than you'd get in the 5 Series or A6, and headroom is also more than enough for the average-sized adult. The front seats are exceedingly comfortable and offer 10-way power adjustability, including lumbar support. Upper trims have a 14-way power driver's seat.

While the top trims may impress more with their materials, every Lexus ES makes a good impression with excellent build quality and sturdy switchgear that feels like it will last for a long time. The base model features perforated NuLuxe, essentially a high-quality synthetic leather. This material comes in colors like Chateau, Flaxen, and Black. All of these are complemented by Striated Black Film trim. For an added cost, Linear Dark Mocha wood trim and Linear Espresso wood trim are available. The F Sport gets NuLuxe upholstery in either black or Circuit Red, both paired with Hadori Aluminum trim. In Luxury guise, the ES gets genuine leather upholstery in the same colors as the base trim, although wood trim is standard here. Finally, the Ultra Luxury gets semi-aniline leather upholstery and adds the option of a Rich Cream color scheme. A wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel is standard on the Ultra Luxury.

The tale of the Lexus ES' cargo space is bittersweet. This Japanese executive is generous when it comes to trunk space and offers 13.9 cubic feet for all models, hybrid included. That is almost the same as the 14 cubic feet you get in the BMW 5 Series and just a bit more than the 13.7 cubes in the Audi A6. This is enough space to pack the baby stroller and your set of golf clubs. Unfortunately, the rear seats do not fold flat, putting the ES at a great disadvantage. Lexus has included a pass-through for longer objects, but that is still limiting.

On the inside, small-item storage is decent. You get all your standard storage solutions, such as a glove box, door pockets, and a center console storage bin, but Lexus also includes handy tricks such as rear coat hooks and front seatback pockets.

Most people consider brand image when shopping in this class, which means four circles and three-pointed stars hold more value than other brand logos. While Lexus has been around for decades and is considered by most to be a luxury vehicle, it doesn't hold the brand value of its German contenders; that's why it still emphasized value for money, and nowhere else is that more apparent than in the features list. Even at its base price, the ES comes standard with features such as a power moonroof, LED headlights, 10-way power front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, the obligatory rearview camera, push-button ignition, and driver assistance features such as lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and pedestrian detection. The Luxury grade adds features such as a 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat along with heated and ventilated front seats, while the F Sport gets a performance suspension and sport bucket seats. The Ultra Luxury trim boasts a surround-view monitor and rear-door sunshades.

The entry-level infotainment system in the Lexus ES sedan is a bit underwhelming, seeing as it comes with a relatively small eight-inch display, but still, you get all the conveniences afforded to competitors. These include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a remote touch interface, Bluetooth streaming, and a 10-speaker sound system. All models benefit from a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Ultra Luxury grade adds navigation, a larger 12-3-inch color display, and navigation. On all models, a powerful Mark Levinson 17-speaker sound system with 1,800 watts of power can be optionally equipped. We recommend listening to Alright by Supergrass at full blast. The Lexus infotainment interface has never been our first choice for user-friendliness and we did find that the trackpad controller was a bit fussy to use, making it easy to skip over menu options. You'll need much more than a quick test drive to get used to this system.

Lexus builds some of the most reliable cars in the world, and the 2021 model is no exception. It has a solid reliability rating of 79 out of 100 according to J.D. Power and hasn't been recalled. However, the 2020 ES 350 was recalled once for a fuel pump that could potentially fail. The 2020 ES 300h hybrid suffered a recall of its own for the possibility that the engine would leak coolant.

Lexus covers the ES with a standard four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, a six-year corrosion warranty, a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, and four years of roadside assistance. The first two scheduled maintenance visits are covered by Lexus and will take place at six months/50,000 miles and at 12 months/10,000 miles. For the hybrid, there is an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty that will cover components like the hybrid battery control module, plus a hybrid battery warranty, which runs for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

This car is a true all-rounder. Not only is it a joy to drive, packed with tech and great value for money, but it is one of the safest cars on the road today. In the NHTSA's Lexus ES safety review, the 2021 model scored a perfect five out of five stars, and the IIHS reviews were so glowing that the safety rating agency awarded the ES 350 with a Top Safety Pick Plus award.

With numerous safety accolades behind its name, you'd best believe that the 2021 Lexus ES comes packed with all the best safety gear. All trim levels get standard safety features such as a ten-airbag system, traction control, stability control, ABS brakes, and three years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect that makes it simple to get help when roadside assistance is required. All models also come standard with the Lexus Safety System Plus 2.0 suite, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, bicyclist detection, lane tracing assist, all-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, and road sign assist. Upper trims add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic assist, and intuitive parking assist with auto braking. A rearview camera is common to all derivatives besides the Ultra Luxury, which gets a surround-view monitor too. An optional head-up display is available across the range.

Lexus has been building well-rounded luxury sedans for decades, but we're still taken aback at how much this brand has improved. Lexus doesn't settle for average, and that is clearly visible in the 2021 ES. The current-generation ES is a much better vehicle than its predecessor, and we continue to be bowled over by the sheer value for money on offer here. Sure, the two 2.5-liter engine setups are rather tepid, the 3.5-liter V6 option won't set the world on fire, and it's not exactly an athletic handler, but the build quality, space, and comfort on offer here is commendable, as is the feature list and class-leading safety features. The fact that you have to pay close to $15,000 more to get the same deal from the Germans should tell you everything you need to know. If it's a sensible luxury sedan you're after, the Lexus ES will be happy to fulfil that role.

The Lexus ES will cost significantly less than its German rivals. No other vehicle in this class comes close to offering the same amount of value. The price of the Lexus ES starts at an MSRP of $40,000 for both the ES 350 FWD and the ES 250 AWD. These prices exclude tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,025 in the US. The same price applies to both the ES 350 and the ES 250 as you progress up the trim levels. The Luxury trim will set you back $45,200, and the F Sport $45,800. Ultra Luxury models keep things under the $50k mark with an asking price of $49,000. The only trim not available in ES 250 guise is the ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition which carries a price tag of $46,550.

Pricing for the ES 300h hybrid starts at $41,910 and then goes up to $47,110 for the Luxury and $50,910 for the Ultra Luxury.

To put these prices into perspective, the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and BMW 5 Series all start at over $54,000.

The new Lexus ES is offered with three powertrains, one special edition model, and four main trim levels which are the Base, Luxury, F Sport, and Ultra Luxury. In total, the range offers 12 unique configurations so there is no lack of choice for customers.

The ES 250 gets AWD as standard and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine developing 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. In the ES 350, FWD is standard but the 3.5-liter V6 generates a stronger 302 hp and 267 lb-ft. Finally, the FWD ES 300h hybrid's 2.5-liter four-pot and electric motor develop a combined 215 hp. In terms of powertrain and trim compatibility, there is no F Sport version of the ES 300h and the Black Line Special Edition is only based on the ES 350 F Sport.

All base models get standard exterior features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, and a power moonroof. On the inside, there is NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, and keyless entry with push-button start. An eight-inch color display forms the foundation of the infotainment system and provides access to Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, in-car Wi-Fi, and the ten-speaker sound system.

The Luxury trim introduces wood trim with ambient lighting, perforated leather upholstery, a 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a power rear sunshade, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and intuitive parking assist with auto braking.

The more aggressively styled F Sport adds 19-inch F Sport Dark Graphite wheels, unique suspension tuning, performance dampers, a rear spoiler, sport bucket seats, unique aluminum trim, and performance-inspired instrumentation.

The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition includes a white/black NuLuxe interior with gray stitching, a unique black rear spoiler, black outside mirrors, and F SPORT 19-inch split-five-spoke alloy wheels with a dark finish and dark lug nuts.

Ultra Luxury models get standard perforated semi-aniline leather interior trim, a surround-view monitor, a 12.3-inch display, and navigation.

Lexus offers what appears to be several reasonably priced packages but the rosy picture loses its appeal when you realize that to get one package, you have to specify either another package or feature that may not be as important to you. On the base ES 250, you can opt for the $1,375 Premium Package that adds heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a Lexus memory system, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. However, Lexus compels you to add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert for another $500 and wood trim for $360 at the same time.

The $1,820 Navigation package adds navigation with a 12.3-inch display and dynamic voice command. To get this, you need to add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, the Premium Package, and wood trim, all adding another $2,235 combined. What if you wanted navigation without wood trim? For some reason, Lexus finds it unfathomable for such a scenario to exist.

Higher-spec models are also able to be customized. For instance, the ES 300h Ultra Luxury can be upgraded with the Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package for $1,080, or you can add individual options like premium triple-beam LED headlamps for $1,515 or a head-up display for $500.

Even if you go for the top-of-the-line Ultra Luxury ES 350, you're still going to pay around $5,000 less than you would for any of the major German rivals, which should tell you everything you need to know. If you want to save on fuel, go for the ES 250, but in terms of comforts and features, skip the mid-tier trims and just head straight for the Ultra Luxury trim. The Ultra Luxury includes the many standard features found on all the other trims but adds nice-to-haves such as semi-aniline leather seats and a surround-view monitor. Go on, treat yourself.

Lexus has positioned the ES quite close to the smaller IS in terms of price so the decision will boil down to what size car you want. The IS is significantly smaller than the ES, with a total length of only 185.4 inches compared to the ES's 195.9 inches. That size difference bleeds into the interior, where the ES offers much more rear legroom, but the IS does manage to secure more front legroom. The trunk of the IS provides only 10.8 cubic feet of space, compared to the 13.9 cubes in the ES. The IS is offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine and rear-wheel drive, which suits its more sporty persona, but the IS is far from being a sports car, and like its larger sibling, focuses more on comfort. If we were buying, we'd go for the ES, purely because it's more car for your money.

Although Lexus stopped production of the GS after the 2020 model year, this is still a relevant comparison, as there are lots of nearly new GS models selling for great prices at the moment. On the outside, the GS and ES share similar dimensions and looks, and most people will not be able to tell the difference between the two. Under the hood, the GS gets a more powerful version of the 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. More importantly, power is sent to the rear wheels instead of the front. Build quality and tech are similar, but the 2021 ES has the advantage of being specified according to your wishes, whereas you'll have to settle for old stock when looking at the GS.