Lexus's redesigned ES luxury sedan goes on sale this fall in gasoline and hybrid variants at a starting price of $45,000, and with the model's first ever performance-oriented F Sport option.
While the new base price is $1,050 more than last year's entry level tag, the hybrid ES 300h's new $47,000 starting point is $50 less than the outgoing gas-electric version.
As before, the ES shares its underpinnings with the Toyota Camry. Some of that family sedan's more aggressive styling (introduced in 2018 redesign) has been carried over to this upscale variant, which Toyota is keen to highlight with the availability of two F Sport option packages that promise to add a dose of driving engagement.
At $50,400, the F Sport 1 group is notable for its addition of a Sport+ drive mode and adaptive variable suspension, among other features. An F Sport 2 ($54,800) package layers on more luxury and tech features.
All ES 350 models share a 3.5L V6 engine that generates 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, notable bumps of 34 hp and 19 lb-ft compared to last year's car. Meanwhile, the ES 300h's fourth-generation hybrid drive system now boasts 215 hp, up 15 over last year.
Standard kit in the ES 350 and ES 300h includes an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, all-digital gauge cluster, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a 10-speaker sound system, 8.0-inch infotainment display, 7.0-inch multi-information screen, rain-sensing wipers and fog lights.
For an additional $3,800 in both models, a premium package adds navigation, heated steering wheel, 12.3-inch display audio and blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert.
The luxury package ($55,600 in ES 350; $57,600 in ES 300h) gets adaptive triple LED headlights, trim-specific 18-inch wheels, full leather seats and wireless smartphone charging.
Finally, the ultra luxury group (ES 350: $59,500; ES 300h: $61,500) brings noise-reducing tires, 17-speaker stereo, hands-free trunklid, 10-inch head-up display, semi-aniline seating and a 360-degree exterior camera system.
The 2019 Lexus ES is scheduled to reach dealers across Canada this fall.
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