Lexus has launched the updated ES luxury sedan in India, with prices starting at Rs 56.65 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The ES continues to be offered in two variants – Exquisite and Luxury (Rs 61.85 lakh). Priced higher by Rs 10,000 than the outgoing model, the new ES gets minor cosmetic changes, along with more equipment.
- New ES priced Rs 10,000 more than outgoing model
- Gets new touchscreen infotainment system
- Powered by 2.5-litre petrol engine in combination with an electric motor
2021 Lexus ES facelift: what’s new?
Starting with the cosmetics, the changes in the 2021 car are quite subtle. It gains the latest iteration of Lexus' trademark 'spindle' grille, along with tweaked LED headlamps and new design alloy wheels. The updated ES also gets two new paint shades: Sonic Chrome and Sonic Iridium.
The cabin gets minor changes as well, with the most notable being the revised centre console. The free-standing infotainment display now sits closer to the occupants and gains touchscreen functionality, while the control surfaces lower down too have been revised.
The previously available cream upholstery on the ES gets replaced by a black one and it also gets new walnut trim inserts.
In terms of equipment, the new touchscreen is the biggest update to the ES, with the remainder of the equipment list more or less unchanged. Depending on the variant, the sedan comes packed with power recline rear seats, a sunroof, three-zone climate control, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, head-up display, powered front seats with memory, hands-free boot lid opening, and more.
2021 Lexus ES facelift: engine line-up
As with the pre-facelift, the updated ES is only available with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. The system pairs a 178hp, 2.5-litre petrol engine with an 88kW permanent magnet electric motor – the same set-up as its sister model, the Toyota Camry. The powertrain set-up has a total system output of 218hp. Power is sent to the wheels via a CVT gearbox, which comes as standard.
2021 Lexus ES facelift: rivals
The updated ES goes up against established German rivals like the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and the BMW 5 Series.
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