Lexus All-New ES 350h & 350e: As Large as the LS, More Stylish than the GS [Star Drive Review]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Verdict

As large as the LS and as powerful as the GS, with the ES's inherent elegance deepened even further

Good

- Regardless of the powertrain, a strong resolve to "build it as Lexus" stands out

- Thick trust accumulated over decades, enough that buying solely on the "Lexus" name will not lead to regret

Bad

- 400V architecture and a 74.69kWh lithium-ion battery made by Ningde Times (CATL)

- No subsidy eligibility

Competitor

- Volvo ES90: Subsidy eligible

- Genesis G80 Electrified: V2L, rear-wheel steering, 350kW ultra-fast charging, longer wheelbase (3,140mm), etc.

The Lexus ES possesses brand power that surpasses the Lexus brand itself. It sells approximately 1,200 units per month, which accounts for more than half of Lexus's total sales volume. Furthermore, the IS has little presence in the domestic market, and the GS has disappeared. This is why the burden on the ES has become heavy. Konoyama Ma Na-bu (President), of Lexus Korea, even introduced it by saying, "The ES is a model that symbolizes Lexus Korea," indicating the high expectations placed on this car.

Typically, automakers choose very conservative changes for models with such significant presence. However, this 8th-generation Lexus ES chose the largest evolution in ES history, or even Lexus history. This is due to the period when the global automotive environment is undergoing major changes. First, its size has become incredibly large. The length is 5,140mm, height is 1,560mm (based on BEV), and width is 1,920mm, with all figures increased. To put it simply for comparison, it is much larger than the Hyundai Equus. The reason the car became this large includes reflecting demand in the Chinese market, but a major factor is also the development goal of accommodating both internal combustion institutional investor and electric vehicles on the GA-K platform.

A notable point is that while transforming into a battery vehicle, placing the 74.69kWh lithium-ion battery on the floor raised the body height. Instead of saying "it got taller just because of the battery," Lexus proved that "the ES is still a sedan" by incorporating large side garnishes and increasing the overall length. When facing the ES directly in person, one immediately realizes how much larger it has become compared to the previous generation. It felt completely different when seen in real life than when viewed through photos and videos.

The interior is the highlight of the new Lexus ES. The horizontally-oriented center fascia harmonizes with the 14th-inch display in the center and the 12.3-inch display inside the steering wheel. Although the Lexus L badge has disappeared from the steering wheel, lettering has been engraved instead, and the dashboard sits calmly low. The seats retain the distinctive Lexus feel as in the previous model. They are solid yet have a good feel, with all finishes handled well. Rather than emphasizing stitching or volume to make them bulge out, they are arranged to create overall harmony. The best part is the second row. It has become so spacious that it is better to compare it to the LS rather than the previous ES. Moreover, trims with reclining capability are also available. Thus, the core point of the 8th-generation ES can be seen as its size expanded to prestige level.

The drive review began with the HYBE-led ES 350h and returned with a test drive of the electric vehicle ES 350e. In fact, both cars have only improved points compared to their predecessors, but this is particularly prominent in the ES 350h. First, not only has the size increased, but the 6th-generation HYBE-led powertrain's output soared from the previous 218 horsepower to 247 horsepower, and fuel efficiency rose from the previous 17.2km/L to a whopping 19.4km/L. In actual driving, it recorded 18km/L, which is remarkably decent considering repeated acceleration, deceleration, braking, and aggressive driving in various sections.

Fuel efficiency was already good and became even better, so there was no particular excitement, but what stood out impressively was the front-rear driving balance. In particular, understeer, a structural limitation of front-wheel drive vehicles, has been drastically reduced. The 8th-generation Lexus ES is 165mm longer than the 7th generation and heavier, yet the rear-end follow-through felt tight. This Lexus ES adopts a multi-link structure with 5 links for both engine and electric vehicles, which is being reflected in the ES for the first time. It was used in the RX and seems to have been introduced to support the battery weight, but it was perfect in the ES as well.

The overall ride comfort is calm, quiet, and comfortable in every area, evoking the thought "this is indeed Lexus." While explaining the development process of this ES, Lexus emphasized "making a car that is true to Lexus," which means providing comfort even in areas where passengers do not notice. For example, finding and responding to vibration frequencies that create unpleasant ride sensations, eliminating unnecessary movements when opening and closing doors, and optimizing the line of sight for visual processing. Therefore, the driver experiences no stress regardless of driving conditions, but they aim to make it so that one cannot even identify the specific cause of this comfort.

The braking power is also considerable. As a BEV, the Lexus ES previously could not offer "one-pedal" driving. According to Chiashi Kohei, Senior Engineer at Lexus International, they established the principle of not reflecting one-pedal driving due to internal regulations. The reason is safety. Senior Engineer Chiashi Kohei explained, "The thought and action of being able to stop a car without pressing the brake pedal while driving are unsafe. We believed it was inappropriate for a manufacturer to incorporate features that compromise passenger safety." In Senior Engineer Chiashi Kohei's eyes, there was a gaze that went beyond confidence in the ES, suggesting "Isn't this just natural as Lexus?"

The Lexus ES is a representative sedan loved for the past 25 years. It was from this car that they began offering full-fledged electrified models. Because it is the most familiar name, one can accept electric vehicles without hesitation, and the price has been set even lower than the HYBE-led model. Purchase programs also align with this. However, the attack points of this car are clear: 400V architecture, insufficient Chinese-made battery, and an unexpected second-row center tunnel... Nevertheless, the engineer left a warning not to define it simply by numbers as a "car true to Lexus." And upon driving it directly, both the electric vehicle and the HYBE-led car contained the clear signal of the Lexus ES. If you are worried, choose the 350h. However, the 350e will likely linger in your mind.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original