Toyota Motor Corp. is injecting more stability and on-road confidence into its 2021 Lexus ES lineup.
For the first time since its debut in alongside the Lexus brand itself in 1989, Toyota’s luxury division will offer all-wheel drive in its top-selling ES flagship sedan, a huge benefit to drivers that live in seasonal regions and often travel on roads affected by inclement weather.
For consumers that want a more customized look, Lexus also is releasing a limited Black Line Special Edition appearance package based on the ES F Sport trim. Only 1,500 of the Black Line models will be built. Styling tweaks include three exclusive colors, a two-tone interior, black side mirrors, darkened wheels and a black rear spoiler.
The new 2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD midsize sedan introduces a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 203 horsepower. It’s paired to the same eight-speed transmission used by the ES 350, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 302 horsepower. A third hybrid powertrain also is available in the ES 300h. It pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a new smaller, lithium ion battery for a combined output of 215 horsepower. Thanks to its reduced size, engineers were able to move the battery from under the trunk to the back seat, freeing up cargo carrying ability.
All ES models are fuel conscious: the new ES 250 AWD achieves 28 mpg combined, the larger ES 350 gets 26 mpg combined and (as expected) the 300h yields an impressive 44 mpg combined.
There are four trim levels available for each powertrain: base, Luxury, Ultra Luxury and F Sport. The new Black Line layers on top of all F Sport models. The only mechanical change in F Sport model is an adaptive variable suspension, which automatically adapts to road conditions to enhance handling for a sportier drive quality. Beyond that, F Sport models differentiate themselves with 19-inch darkened wheels, a distinct front bumper and grille and a rear spoiler. Interior changes include sport-bolstered heated and ventilated front seats, a performance-inspired instrument cluster, aluminum pedals and F Sport badging throughout.
Instead of the adaptive variable transmission, other trims get three drive modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. Sport quickens throttle response, changes the transmission program and tightens the steering. Other standard features include 17-inch wheels, a power moonroof, LED headlights, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Amazon Alexa integration, a 10-speaker Pioneer audio system and Lexus Safety System Plus, an advanced driver-assistance safety tech package that includes front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane centering and lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
New for 2021 is the addition of blind spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert on all trims but the base. Like the 2020 ES, the Luxury trim adds larger darkened 18-inch wheels, a power rear sunshade and a mix of wood and leather interior trimming. The Ultra Luxury gets a panoramic view monitor, a heater steering wheel, windshield wiper de-icer and an upgraded lather interior. It also features the Navigation package with GPS and a 12.3-inch information display.
The seventh-generation ES debuted for the 2019 model year and stretched nearly 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the outgoing model. A two-inch longer wheelbase and wider tracks allowed its wheels to be pushed out closer to its corners for sportier handling. A more rigid front-wheel drive chassis built on Toyota’s Global Architecture platform also enhanced its performance-oriented characteristics.
Sales of the current ES through the first six months of 2020 are down almost 30 percent compared with the same period last year, a large drop likely due at least in part to production and delivery challenges caused by the coronavirus. However, Lexus has managed to sell over 17,000 units of its popular sedan through June, which far outweighs sales of any of its other sedans.
The new 2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD and ES 350 start at $39,900, the same price as the current model year Lexus ES 350. The Luxury costs $45,100 and the Ultra Luxury is $48,900—both trims saw a price increase over 2020. The 2021 ES 350 F Sport costs $45,700, a slight hike over 2020, and the new Black Line starts at $46,550.
All 2021 ES models will begin arriving at dealerships this fall.
