2021 Lexus ES 250 Premium Review

In recent years, competition in Malaysia's luxury mid-size sedan market has become increasingly fierce, as consumers demand higher standards for vehicle comfort, configuration richness, and brand reputation. As a regular in this market segment, the 2021 Lexus ES 250 Premium continues to attract attention with its well-balanced product strengths. The car's core selling points include the reliable powertrain from Toyota, Lexus's signature quiet performance, and comprehensive safety features within the same class. In this test drive, we aim to verify whether these selling points meet actual user needs, while also evaluating whether its space, handling, and fuel efficiency can satisfy the daily usage scenarios of local consumers.

In terms of exterior design, the 2021 ES 250 Premium continues Lexus's signature spindle-shaped grille design, which is wide in size and features a blackened interior, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides for high recognition. The streamlined body side lines run from the hood to the rear, connecting the front and rear doors, and are complemented by 18-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, providing the vehicle with a balance between the solidity of a luxury sedan and a sense of dynamism. At the rear, the LED taillight assembly incorporates an initial through-type design (the two taillights are connected by a chrome trim), achieving clear visual effects when illuminated. The hidden exhaust layout under the rear bumper further enhances its elegant positioning. As for the lighting system, the full LED headlights support automatic activation and height adjustment, while daytime running lights come as standard, combining practicality with aesthetics.

Inside the car, the interior adopts a T-shaped center console layout, with soft leather and wood veneer materials predominantly used. Most touchable areas are wrapped in leather, meeting the texture expectations of a luxury vehicle. The center of the dashboard is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, paired with Lexus's signature Remote Touch Interface touchpad. Although the system’s operating logic is clear, it requires some time to get accustomed to. The instrument panel is fully digital, designed with a clean and minimalist interface that allows switching between different display modes to present navigation, vehicle status, and other information. In terms of configuration, the front seats support 8-way electric adjustment, with the driver's seat featuring a memory function. The rear seats are equipped with a folding central armrest with audio and air conditioning controls, enhancing passenger convenience. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning system supports independent front and rear controls, with rear independent air outlets as standard. The front row also provides a 220V/230V power outlet, catering to charging needs for electronic devices. Intelligent features such as keyless entry, one-touch start, rain-sensing wipers, and power-folding mirrors are all standard, offering convenience for daily use.

In terms of space, the ES 250 Premium's dimensions measure 4975mm×1865mm×1445mm, with a wheelbase of 2870mm, which is considered mainstream in the same class. The front seating space is ample; a 175cm tall occupant adjusting the seat properly will have about a fist and two fingers of headroom, and the legroom is also sufficiently spacious. The rear seating space is even better; an occupant of the same height sitting in the rear will have more than two fists of legroom and about a fist of headroom, ensuring that even three adults sitting together wouldn’t feel cramped. The trunk has a capacity of 420L, with a well-structured opening, suitable for holding 2-3 suitcases for daily use. However, the rear seats do not support folding, which limits flexibility. In terms of storage space, the front and rear door panel storage slots, central armrest box, and front cup holders are reasonably designed to meet the needs of storing small items during daily use.

In terms of performance, the ES 250 Premium is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum power of 204PS/6600rpm and a maximum torque of 247N·m/5000rpm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, the power output is linear and smooth, with an active response during the starting phase and stable acceleration without the abrupt feeling of turbo intervention. Mid-to-high-speed acceleration is not particularly strong but is fully sufficient for daily urban commuting and highway cruising. To overtake, a deeper accelerator push is needed to gain sufficient power reserves. The transmission's shift logic is clear, with proactive upshifting and fast downshifting, making gear transitions almost imperceptible during regular driving. There are three driving modes available: ECO, Normal, and Sport. In ECO mode, the throttle response becomes smoother, making it suitable for daily commutes to save fuel consumption; in Sport mode, throttle sensitivity increases, and the transmission maintains lower gears, resulting in more dynamic performance.

As for handling and chassis, the combination of front MacPherson strut independent suspension and rear double-wishbone independent suspension is relatively common in its class, with a tuning geared towards comfort. During daily driving, the suspension effectively filters out small road bumps, and when passing over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, the vibrations are handled cleanly without noticeable residual tremors. At high speeds, the vehicle maintains good body stability, the steering wheel offers moderate resistance, and while the steering accuracy is not as sharp as that of sporty sedans, it is fully adequate for a luxury midsize car. In cornering performance, body roll is kept within a reasonable range, ensuring the driver does not feel uneasy. However, due to the comfort-oriented tuning, its limit handling performance is not its strong suit.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 8.4L/100km. This test drive covered both congested urban areas and highway segments, with an actual measured fuel consumption of approximately 9.2L/100km, which is close to the official figures and aligns with the performance of a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine. The braking performance is stable, with a front ventilated disc and rear ventilated disc braking system providing prompt braking response, linear braking force, and no significant heat fade observed during continuous braking. In terms of safety features, 10 airbags, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and active braking come standard, making the safety configuration quite comprehensive.

Regarding driving comfort, the ES 250 Premium performs commendably. In terms of sound insulation, the vehicle effectively controls engine noise, tire noise, and wind noise, allowing for normal conversations inside the cabin at highway speeds without raising one’s voice. The seat comfort is good, with front seats offering moderate support and wrap-around feel, making long drives less tiring. The rear seats are soft, providing a comfortable ride experience. The suspension system is tuned for comfort, ensuring a quality ride for passengers even on bumpy roads. Overall, the car meets the positioning of a luxury sedan.

In summary, the core strengths of the 2021 Lexus ES 250 Premium lie in its balanced performance: reliable powertrain, comfortable driving and ride experience, comprehensive safety features, and the Lexus brand's reputation for high resale value and excellent after-sales service. Compared with same-class competitors such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the ES 250 Premium offers better space comfort and safety configuration, while its price (RM 295,664) is relatively more affordable, making it highly cost-effective. However, its weaknesses include average power performance, the inability to fold down the rear seats, and the less intuitive Remote Touch Interface operation.

This car is mainly suitable for families who value comfort and reliability, as well as young consumers seeking a well-established brand reputation and rich configurations. Its balanced performance can meet the needs of daily urban commuting while also accommodating medium to long-distance travel, making it a luxurious mid-size sedan suitable for both family and business purposes. If you are looking for a comfortable, reliable, and well-equipped luxury sedan, the ES 250 Premium is worth considering.