The popular Lexus ES mid-size, luxury sedan is getting a refresh for 2021. The big news is the addition of all-wheel drive, which Lexus calls Dynamic Torque Control AWD. This follows in the footsteps of its non-luxury platform-mate, the Toyota Camry, which got an all-wheels-go option for 2020. We’ll also see new, sporty F versions and something called the Black Line Special Edition.
The Lexus ES 250 AWD will feature a 2.5-liter four making 203 hp and returning 28 mpg, the best of all gas-powered ES sedans. That AWD system can send up to 50 percent of the power to the rear when needed, and when not needed, it electromagnetically decouples the prop shaft to save fuel. Lexus notes that the DTC AWD does not impede on legroom, trunk room, ride comfort, cabin quietness or vehicle agility. The new system is offered on all grades of the ES 250.
All ES 350s have the company’s 3.5-liter V6 making 302 hp and 267 lb-ft or torque. Variable valve timing and direct injection allow the engine to operate either on the traditional Otto cycle during sporty driving and the more efficient Atkinson cycle when the power need is low. That plus and eight-speed automatic is good for 32 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city.
The ES 300h hybrid returns with a different 2.5-liter four that only runs on the Atkinson cycle. That engine delivers 215 hp and gets 44 mpg combined. For 2021 the ES 300h uses a lithium-ion battery as opposed to the nickel-metal hybrid battery from the previous car. That battery has also been relocated to underneath the back seat freeing up trunk space and improving front-to-rear weight balance. The hybrid again uses a continuous variable transmission and is only offered in front-wheel drive.
The 2021 ES is still built on Toyota’s GA-K platform, but the sedan is longer by 2.6 inches, lower and wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase is longer, and the tracks have been widened 0.4 inches in front and 1.5 inches in the back.
New for 2021, the Black Line Special Edition will be offered in ES 350 trim. It’s based on the F Sport grade and is only offered in three colors: ultrasonic blue mica, obsidian, and ultra white. It also gets black mirrors, dark wheels, and a new black rear lip spoiler. Lexus partnered with Zero Halliburton, which created a two-piece set of travel cases to go with the vehicle. The custom set includes a 22-inch carry-on and a 26-inch medium travel case, both in black.
The ES 350 F Sport returns with an LS-inspired grille with interlocking “L”s, cutouts at each corner and slim headlights with L-shaped corner markers. Triple beam headlights are an option
Lexus also stiffened up the chassis. The company doubled the amount of laser screw welds, added a strut tower brace, reinforcement panels and new radiator support braces. The front suspension gets an increase in caster angle (+2 degrees), which increases steering effort and improves high-speed stability.
Base cars get the Lexus’ Dynamic Control Shocks with adaptive damping; F Sport cars get the Adaptive Variable Suspension that is “capable of 650 levels of adjustment.” Models without AVS offer eco, normal and sport modes while AVS-equipped cars replace sport mode with sport S while adding sport S+ and custom.
Inside, the changes are less noticeable and include a change in steering wheel angle, revised pedal positions, and 10-way power adjustable seats. The new wheel comes from the flagship LS and features woodgrain and heat. The seats offer heat and ventilation, but the vent system is new and uses suction to improve cooling on hot weather. There’s more rear seat headroom and the trunk is good for 13.9 cubic feet of storage.
All ES models get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Alexa compatibility. Screen sizes are 8 inches wide for base models and 12.3 inches wide for with the navigation package. The gauge cluster is a LED panel with an analog tachometer, digital speedometer and a multi-information display. F Sport models have a movable central ring similar to the LC sports car. Hit a button the steering wheel and it slides to allow more info to be show. A Pioneer system sits in lower models while Mark Levinson handles the audio when the premium stereo option box is checked. Wi-Fi is free for three months or 4 GB, whatever comes first.
Luxury, F Sport and Ultra Luxury ES cars now come standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. All Lexus ES vehicles come with the Lexus Safety System 2.0 that includes pre-collision system, lane departure alert, lane tracing and radar cruise control.
Pricing stays the same for the ES 350 at $39,900, which is also the starting price for the new ES 250 AWD. The Luxury trim goes up about two grand and the Ultra Luxury trim goes up about five grand. The ES 300h continues to start at $41,810.
