Lexus ES | new car sales price

Lexus has reintroduced the ES nameplate to Australia, with an all-new four-model lineup that undercuts the previous ES by up to $12,500.

Sitting between between the existing Lexus IS and GS lineups, the new ES range defies Lexus convention by pricing the new ES 300h hybrid variants beneath the petrol-only ES 350 by $2000 across Luxury and Luxury Sports trim levels.

“The decision to lead ES pricing with the hybrid is a result of higher consumer demand and the commercialisation of hybrid technology,” Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley says.

“More than 30 per cent of Lexus customers locally choose hybrid as their preferred drivetrain and we believe ES will grow that proportion as we edge ever closer to our goal of 50 per cent hybrid.”

The ES 300h Luxury kicks off the range at $63,000, with the Sports Luxury grade commanding a $9000 premium for either driveline – topping off with the ES 350 Sports Luxury at $74,000.

The previous fourth-generation ES exited the Australian market in 2006 with its single-spec priced at $76,500, and the new model follows its predecessors with a mid-sized body and front-wheel drivetrain.

Australia missed out on the fifth-generation ES range due to a lack of right-hand drive availability, and Lexus Australia lobbied hard to plug the resulting gap in their lineup with the new model.

"Over the past seven years, luxury vehicle customers have been looking for a vehicle like ES and we are happy to welcome them to the Lexus family," Hanley added.

The price-leading ES 300h Luxury comes with partial leather trim, satnav, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, glass sunroof, 10 airbags, eight-speaker audio, proximity keys, air-purifying dual zone climate control, digital radio, Lexus Remote Touch driver interface, multiple drive mode selection and 17 inch alloys. A $3000 Enhancement Pack is available for the entry ES 300h Luxury, which adds a Pre-Collision safety system and active cruise control.

These features are standard on the rest of the ES lineup, with Sport Luxury versions of both models also gaining semi-aniline leather trim, three-zone climate control, HID headlamps, unique 17 inch alloys, 15-speaker Mark Levinson Audio, heated front and rear seats with ventilation on the fronts, powered boot lid, manual side sun shades, rear centre armrest-mounted ventilation, audio and sunroof controls.

Both models come with a full-size alloy spare wheel, with the ES 350’s 490L boot dropping to 420L for the ES 300h, and losing the petrol models' ski port boot access. 

ES 300h hybrid models are powered by a 151kW transversely-mounted version of the 2.5-Litre four cylinder petrol-electric drivetrain fitted to the smaller IS 300h with a six-step CVT auto. Petrol-only ES 350 models come with a 204kW 3.5-Litre V6 -- as seen in the RX 350 SUV – tied to a six-speed torque converter automatic.

Lexus is yet to confirm official fuel figures for the new ES lineup, but both ES 300h models qualify for the Luxury Car Tax exemption for fuel-efficient vehicles. Full details will be available after the official launch in early November.

PRICING

Lexus ES 300h Luxury – $63,000
Lexus ES 300h Sports Luxury - $72,000
Lexus ES 350 Luxury – $65,000
Lexus ES 350 Sports Luxury - $74,000

This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn