Lexus ES Review

Consumers in the luxury mid-size sedan market are increasingly valuing "balance" — seeking both brand quality and no compromise on features or space. As a regular in this segment, the Lexus ES has consistently attracted family users and young professionals with its reliable quality and precise positioning. The 2024 Lexus ES public, reviewed here, continues the ES series' signature comfort, while maintaining competitiveness in terms of configuration details. Our test focuses on verifying its real-world performance in daily commuting, highway cruising, and family travel scenarios to see if it remains the "pragmatic choice" in its class.

Approaching the car, the first thing that catches the eye is the iconic spindle-shaped grille, paired with sharp LED daytime running lights, offering high recognizability. The side profile features smooth lines, with a waistline extending from the hood to the rear, running through the front and back. Depending on the configuration, there are 18-inch or 19-inch wheels, ensuring the steady demeanor of a mid-size sedan. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt a horizontal design, visually widening the rear when illuminated, achieving an overall style that is understated yet refined.

Opening the door, the materials and craftsmanship of the interior meet the standards of a luxury car. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials, complemented by metallic trim for a refined tactile feel. The standard Full LCD instrument panel and 8-inch central control screen (upgraded to 12.3-inch in some configurations) are clearly laid out, and the Remote Touch Interface is straightforward, easy to use, and quick to get accustomed to. The front seats support 8-way or 10-way electric adjustment (depending on configuration), with a memory function for the driver’s seat, ensuring comfort during long drives. The rear seat space is one of the ES's strengths, with its 2870mm wheelbase allowing a passenger of 175cm in height to have over two fist-lengths of legroom. The top-tier model's rear seats support electric recline, and the central armrest integrates seat, audio, and air conditioning controls, providing excellent care for rear passengers. The trunk offers a volume of 420L, enough to accommodate two suitcases or a baby stroller for daily use.

After ignition, the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine emits very little noise. Its maximum power output of 204PS and maximum torque of 247N·m (based on 2021 model data) are delivered smoothly. During initial acceleration, the power isn't particularly aggressive, but the throttle responds seamlessly, making it suitable for urban commuting. Once accelerating past 60km/h, power gradually comes into play. When overtaking, flooring the throttle prompts the gearbox to shift responsively. Although the official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.1 seconds isn't exceptional, it's fully adequate for daily use. The suspension system, featuring a front MacPherson and rear double-wishbone setup, is tuned for comfort. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, bumps are well absorbed, and the vehicle remains stable without excessive swaying. The steering wheel offers precise handling with minimal free play. Stability is excellent at high speeds, and body roll is well-controlled during cornering.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel economy is 8.4L/100km. In our test, driving 100km in urban congested roads and another 100km on highways, the actual fuel consumption was 9.5L and 7.2L, respectively, meeting expectations. Noise control is commendable; at 120km/h on the highway, wind and tire noise are both minimal, allowing in-car conversations without raising voices. Safety features are a highlight of the ES, with 10 airbags, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, and other functions as standard across all trims. The 360-degree panoramic camera (available on some configurations) and front/rear sensors make parking more convenient.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2024 Lexus ES lies in its balance—comfortable driving experience, rich safety features, and reliable brand reputation. These are points of concern for family users and quality-conscious young people. Compared to peers like the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the ES holds a pricing advantage while not lagging behind in terms of features. If extreme handling is your main pursuit, it may not be the best choice, but if you need a mid-to-large luxury sedan suitable for daily commutes, family outings, and also offering a sense of luxury, the ES is definitely worth considering.

In summary, the 2024 Lexus ES remains a "practical" representative in the luxury mid-to-large sedan market, ideal for consumers who want to "get it right in one go" and value long-term ownership experience. It has no obvious shortcomings and wins over users with its details and reliability, which has been the key to the ES series maintaining its competitiveness over the years.