Lexus ES 2022: cheaper price of entry, new grades for luxury sedan range

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After providing specifications earlier in the month, Lexus has now revealed the pricing of its updated ES sedan which features an expanded line-up with prices starting from $61,620 before on-road costs.

With the IS sports sedan removed from sale in Australia due to newly introduced safety standards, Lexus has introduced the new petrol-only ES 250 alongside the hybrid ES 300h.

Lexus offers both drivetrain options in the entry-level Luxury and mid-spec Luxury grade while only the ES 300h hybrid can be had in the range-topping Sports Luxury guise.

Apart from the super-premium, circa-$200k Lexus LS, the front-wheel drive ES is now the Japanese luxury marque’s only sedan offer in Australia.

Wearing a slightly updated design, the ES has risen in price by around $1100 depending on the grade but the price of entry has been lowered by $995.

The Lexus ES is more comfort-focused than most sedans but still comparable to rivals such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class which share similar levels of luxury but have an overt sport sedan inclination.

What does each grade of the 2022 ES offer?

Kicking off the range is the ES 250 Luxury which is fitted with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine shared with the RAV4 midsize SUV, and produces 152kW of power and 243Nm of torque.

Lexus has coupled this engine with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic with the grunt sent to the front wheels only, unlike the outgoing IS that was RWD only.

The ES 250 Luxury is priced at $61,620 (before on-road costs) and lives up to its namesake with standard features such as heated and 10-way power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry and fast-charging USB C ports fitted front and rear.

These can be used to plug into the wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that is beamed up onto the large 12.3-inch centre touchscreen and play music through the 10-speaker audio system. Also included are DAB digital radio, satellite navigation and a sunroof.

Lexus has increased the level of safety on offer, with the new Intersection Assist with Turn Assist function designed to prevent drivers from turning into the path of oncoming traffic while Steering Assist refines the movements of a sudden swerve to avoid an accident without losing control of the car.

A new SOS function has also been fitted to automatically call emergency services in the event of an accident and can assist to track down an ES if it has been stolen.

It builds other standard features such as AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

Buyers can add on wireless phone charging, a head-up display, rear privacy glass and low-speed rear AEB via the ES 250 Luxury Enhancement Pack for $63,120 (before on-roads).

Priced slightly higher at $63,550 (before on-roads) is the ES 300h Luxury which pairs the same petrol engine with an 88kW/202Nm electric motor, with the hybrid system producing a combined maximum of 160kW.

Along with a beefier drivetrain, the ES 300h Luxury adds a handful of extras including a rear spoiler and a power-adjustable steering wheel.

The optional Enhancement Pack ($71,810 before on-roads) takes this level of specification a step further with 14-way power adjustability for the driver’s seat and ventilation for both occupants in the front row. Fleet buyers will also appreciate the fitment of power rear doors and power sunshades.

Adding some more athletic features are the F Sport models, which are priced at $70,860 for the ES 250 and $72,930 for ES 300h, with both prices before on-road costs.

The F Sport models build on all the added features from the aforementioned ES 300h Luxury with the Enhancement Pack though the sunshades are dropped from the list.

Lexus has added chassis bracing at the front and rear of both F Sport models to increase rigidity, while the ES 300h also receives adaptive dampers that correlate with a range of settings.

Both feature larger 19-inch alloy wheels, and tri-beam LED headlights, a more aggressive grille and body kit on the outside while on the inside buyers will find new F Sport seats, aluminium touches around the cabin and an 8.0-inch digital display in the instrument cluster.

Buyers can bolster this feature list further by opting for the Enhancement Pack ($76,530 before-on roads), which adds a heated steering wheel and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

The range-topping ES 300h Sports Luxury is priced at $78,180 (before on-road costs) and takes notes from the flagship LS luxury sedan by focusing primarily on rear seat comfort.

This begins with the fitment semi-aniline leather-accented trim with bamboo dotted around the interior as well as three-zone climate control and heating for the outboard rear seats that can be operated by the centre armrest command system.

The updated Lexus ES range is now on sale in Australia.

Lexus ES 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• ES 250 Luxury: $61,620 (new)
• ES 250 Luxury with Enhancement Pack: $63,120
• ES 300h Luxury: $63,550 (up $1,025)
• ES 300h Luxury with Enhancement Pack: $71,810
• ES 250 F Sport: $70,860 (new)
• ES 300h F Sport: $72,930 (up $1,430)
• ES 300h F Sport with Enhancement Pack: $76,530
• ES 300h Sports Luxury: $78,180 (up $1,180)