2019 Lexus ES - Top 5 features

The Lexus ES started its journey way back in 1989 as a premium D-segment sedan for those who didn’t want to be seen in an ordinary Toyota Camry or the likes. Interestingly enough, despite its posh and expensive persona, deep down, the ES is closely related to its much more affordable Toyota cousin. In the Japanese automaker’s premium line-up of sedans, the ES sits a level below the flagship LS limo.

In most of the world’s markets where it has been sold over the years, the Lexus ES has created a formidable and an almost infallible reputation for itself. So obviously, when the Lexus Malaysia announced that it will be launching the all-new, seventh generation of the Lexus ES, the news got a lot of folks really excited. Unlike its older iterations, the new 2019 Lexus ES will be based on the same architecture as that of the latest Toyota Avalon (TNGA-K platform).

Built exclusively in Japan and the United States -- the 2019 Lexus ES comes to our shores as a CBU -- being shipped directly from Japan. Also, the latest model was first unveiled to us at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) in 2018, with Lexus Malaysia opening up its order books for the new ES sedan in early July of this year.

Being an all-new model from a luxury brand, what all features can you expect to find with the purchase of your 2019 Lexus ES? Well, to help you out on that front, we will list out the top 5 features of the Lexus ES in this article. But before we get to that, let’s understand some of this car’s basics first 2019 Lexus ES prices:

2019 Lexus ES variants	2019 Lexus ES price
250 Premium	RM 299,888
250 Luxury	RM 332,888

Customers of the 2019 Lexus ES are offered seven different paint schemes such as Sonic Quartz, Platinum Silver Metallic, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Sonic Titanium, Deep Blue Mica, Graphite Black Glass Flake, and Ice Ecru. Lexus Malaysia also bundles a 5-year/unlimited mileage comprehensive manufacturer's warranty package with the 2019 ES.

2019 Lexus ES dimensions:

Measurements	2019 Lexus ES
Length	4,975 mm
Width	1,865 mm
Height	1,445 mm
Wheelbase	2,870 mm
Boot Capacity	420 litres

Over the years, the dimensions of the Lexus ES has been increased (incrementally with each new generation), and this all-new 2019 model has definitely been on some growth hormone. That is because the 2019 Lexus ES is 66 mm longer, 46 mm wider, and its wheelbase is 51 mm more over its predecessor.

Now let’s get to the meat of the matter and list the top 5 features of the 2019 Lexus ES. Starting with…

1. Aggressive front styling with Spindle Grille

As a premium luxury sedan, the ability of the car to draw attention to itself is sometimes one of the key factors behind its success. While styling is an entirely subjective matter, there is no running away from the fact that the new 2019 Lexus ES is one of the most captivating cars in its segment. Where previous generation models of the ES didn’t cause much of a stir in the hearts and minds of onlookers, the all-new avatar certainly changes all that.

The most fascinating part of the 2019 Lexus ES, design-wise, can be seen upfront. The new ES, like almost every other new Lexus, gets the marque’s very distinctive and upscale “Spindle Grille” treatment. The massive chrome garnished front grille not only looks aggressive and sporty, it also affords the new ES immense road presence, too. In comparison, the front end of rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series does not seem as imposing or dominating.
The impressive-looking Spindle Grille has always been one of the most captivating design elements on almost all modern-day Lexus cars, the new 2019 ES sedan is no exception to this. And it is not only large and in your face, but the intricate pattern within the grille also looks meticulously crafted and further highlights the front fascia of this luxury sedan like no other in its class.

2. Ultra-modern LED exterior lights

One of the most talked about and technologically advanced features of most modern luxury cars is the headlights. In the case of the new 2019 Lexus ES, its main lighting units comprise of sophisticated all-LED elements which, in the top Luxury variant, consists of triple projectors per headlamp.

Along with that, the lighting upfront also consists of the Lexus’ signature and striking daytime-running lights (DRLs). The Nike-esque looking design of these DRLs not only looks really cool, but they also give the new Lexus ES a very distinct and sporty appearance when viewed from the front. Lexus calls the headlamps on the 2019 ES “Ultra Compact 3-beam LED Projector” headlamps.

Apart from being really contemporary and elegant in design, these super bright units also come equipped with Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) which adjusts the main beam and turns them when the ES goes around a corner.

Another cool party trick the Lexus ES has is its sequential LED turn signals. When activated, these turn signals not only seem cool and pretty high tech, but also make the new ES stand out from some of its rivals in this segment. The only other car to have this feature in the class is the much more expensive Audi A6.

3. Hands-free tailgate

While remote-operated or a button-activated tailgate is common place in the luxury sedan category, they are quite old-school (relatively speaking) to what the new 2019 Lexus ES has to offer. Instead of fumbling with your keyfob or trying to find the opening mechanism for the tailgate, especially when your hands are full, can be a really annoying thing.

Thankfully, Lexus has thought of exactly such a scenario, and has implemented a much more elegant and trouble-free way of gaining access to the boot of your ES. To open the tailgate of the 2019 Lexus ES, all you need to do is get up close to the rear of the car and throw a “kick” under the bumper. Once the sensor detects your foot, the ES will automatically prop-up the tailgate.

Compared to most of its rivals, this hands-free (and well thought-out) method of opening the trunk is exclusive to the 2019 Lexus ES.

4. A plethora of safety measures

Since you are paying some serious money, it is only natural that you would expect your premium luxury sedan to come loaded with as many safety features as possible. Yet again, the 2019 Lexus ES specs doesn’t disappoint and in fact, punches above its weight when it comes to life-saving equipment that it has on offer.

While a few of its key competitors can also be had with several of these features, some or most of them are only available if you pay extra dough on top of what’s already pretty expensive propositions.

However, on the fully-loaded Luxury variant of the 2019 Lexus ES, you will find items such as the following:

• Lexus Safety System + (Front Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Steering Control)
• 10 airbags (front, front side, curtain, rear side, driver’s & front passenger’s knee)
• Pop-Up Hood (PUH)
• Active Cornering Assist (ACA)
• Drive Start Control
• Auto Brake Hold
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Automatic & adaptive projector LED headlamps with auto-levelling and washer
• Lexus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with Stop & Go Function
• Panoramic View Monitor with side clearance view, cornering view & see-through view

The 2019 Lexus ES is one of the select few luxury cars in the industry to come loaded with 10 airbags, whilst most rivals usually only offer a maximum of up to 8 airbags.

Apart from the above-mentioned, the 2019 Lexus ES also comes with automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Tire Pressure Warning System (TPMS), front & rear parking sensors with rearview camera, ISOFIX child-seat tethers and seatbelts with a dedicated Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) feature.

Now while its German rivals offer almost all of these safety features in at least one of their trims, none of them come close to the Lexus when you consider the lower price tag of the new ES.

5. Reliability & dependability

If there’s one area where almost none of its competitors can touch the 2019 Lexus ES, it has to be the brand’s untarnished yet incredible reliability and dependability ratings. Given that Lexus often tops almost every reliability and customer satisfaction survey conducted (by the likes of J. D. Power, for example), you can expect the all-new 2019 Lexus ES to perform effortlessly for many years to come.

As a bonus, here’s yet another top feature of the 2019 Lexus ES - its price. Costing between RM 299,888 to RM 332,888, the new Lexus ES undercuts several of its key rivals from Germany -- Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Also Read: New Lexus ES 250 - First impression