2024 Lexus ES

This generation of ES (the seventh) launched for the 2019 model year and it’s still one of the best-sellers in its segment. Not surprising, since it satisfies those eternal human desires for space, comfort, dependability and quality, but at prices that aren’t extravagant. That’s why the ES won the KBB Best Buy Award in the midsize luxury car class last year, making it five years in a row.

For soothing and sedate drives, we will often recommend a Lexus, and the ES is a great exponent of this unruffled approach.

A Technology package becomes available for some of the more affordable 2024 ES variants. This includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, head-up display, and a Smart Access key card. New 18-inch alloy wheels with a Vapor Chrome finish are fitted to Ultra Luxury models as standard and are optional on Luxury versions.

For some context, the Genesis G80 starts in the low 50s. The Audi A6, new-for-2024 BMW 5 Series, and Volvo S90 are more high-50s. And the also-new-for-2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class begins closer to $60K.

Before buying a new ES luxury sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Lexus is a multiple winner of our Best Resale Value award for the luxury sector, including last year.

At the bottom of the 2024 ES pecking order is the 203-horsepower ES 250. In other words, 52 horsepower below the base engines of the new BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Genesis G70 comes with 300 horsepower. The ES 250 comes with a standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) system — great in bad weather, but it also adds weight.

This all translates into a less-than-stellar acceleration time: 8.1 seconds to go from standstill to 60 mph. Expect the competition to be a couple of seconds quicker.

We feel quite strongly that the luxury experience is better when there’s a decent amount of power to exercise. So unless all-wheel drive is imperative, the front-drive ES 350 (priced identically) is nicely muscular, with 302 horsepower created by a refined 3.5-liter V6. This variant can hit 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.

The more efficient alternative is the 2024 ES 300h. Once again, 215 horsepower is not especially impressive. This model turns in the same zero-to-60 time as the ES 250. Regenerative braking energy systems in hybrids sometimes result in a weird pedal feel, but that’s not an issue here.

The ES is for drivers who don’t want to know how rough the road surface is and would rather have an easy commute than a demanding one. That’s the whole point of a luxury car, right? The ES 350 and ES 300h both offer an F Sport Handling treatment with an adaptive suspension. By all means, check it out if that sounds intriguing. But we believe the ES excels in a different direction, where comfort and tranquility are prioritized, rather than trying to be a sport sedan. So we would give this option a pass.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of midsize luxury sedans, including this Lexus ES.

Fuel Economy

The ES 250 manages 28 combined mpg (25 city, 34 highway). At last, an upside to this modestly powered engine. We reckon its rivals may come close, but probably won’t be better.

It’s 26 combined mpg for the ES 350 (22 city, 32 highway) unless it’s an F Sport version, which runs to 25 combined mpg (22 city, 31 highway). The hybrid ES 300h achieves an impressive 44 combined mpg (43 city, 44 highway).

Calm and spacious, the 2024 ES puts an emphasis on comfort, as well as quality materials. And for a touch of the exotic, the aluminum accents that come with the F Sport treatment are inspired by traditional Japanese swords.

Rear legroom of 39.2 inches is excellent for the class, and the backs of the rear seats are angled to optimize headroom. A powered rear shade is standard in the Luxury model.

Just one gripe — the rear seats are fixed. They don’t split and fold to provide extra cargo-carrying versatility. Trunk space for both the standard and hybrid models comes in at 13.9 cubic feet, adequate for most hauls.

LED headlights are standard with the 2024 ES, with triple-beam premium versions available as an option across the lineup. The ES 350 also offers the option of a panoramic moonroof.

Special alloy wheels designed to reduce road noise are standard with the Ultra Luxury, optional with the Luxury.

The ES 300h hybrid has a drag coefficient of 0.26 (with 17-inch wheels), which is quite impressive for a midsize luxury sedan. An earlier generation of the Prius slipped through the air with a drag coefficient of 0.25.

Value
Despite all their attractive qualities, luxury cars in general have an unenviable reputation for losing their value. The Lexus ES steers away from that rut by being relatively affordable in the first place, and doing a great job of retaining its worth over the years.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Smartphone integration without the inconvenience of fishing your device out of a pocket or purse and connecting it to a cable. It’s little things like this that make a difference every day. And it’s standard across the lineup.

Hybrid drivetrain
A hybrid makes a lot of sense. The ES 300h is a roomy and plush luxury car, yet it can achieve 44 mpg on the highway. There’s also the reassurance that Lexus and parent company Toyota have completely mastered the hybrid art.

Adaptive cruise control
This radar-based system is standard, works at all speeds, and is enhanced with a lane-tracing feature adding small steering corrections.

Premium package
In many instances, it’s a good idea to skip the base vehicle and look at the next one up. But the 2024 ES has a generous amount of standard equipment, and the optional Premium package ($2,790) is a way of gaining extra features (such as a heated steering wheel, driver’s-seat memory settings, heated/ventilated front seats, wireless charging, and rear parking sensors) without stretching to the Luxury trim.

Mark Levinson surround-sound system
A Mark Levinson audio system is a highlight of Lexus ownership. The one available in the Luxury and Ultra Luxury models delivers 1,800 watts through 17 speakers.

It’s a mixed bag in the most affordable Lexus ES sedan, the 2024 ES 250. On the one hand, all-wheel drive is standard. On the other, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine makes just 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The other, more powerful drivetrains don’t offer all-wheel drive — they’re front-wheel drive all the way.

A more appropriate amount of muscle for a luxury sedan comes in the ES 350, propelled by 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft from a 3.5-liter V6.

Both the 250 and 350 models deploy an 8-speed automatic transmission. The ES 300h hybrid drivetrain uses a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Lexus doesn’t provide torque figures for its hybrids, but the ES 300h’s combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors results in a total of 215 horsepower.

Regular gasoline is acceptable with any variant.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-car warranty from Lexus lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first, and is typical for the luxury sector. The standard powertrain warranty does a little better than usual with six years or 70,000 miles. Hybrid systems are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, with the hybrid battery protected for 10 years or 150,000 miles. The first two scheduled services are also included, at six months or 5,000 miles, and 12 months or 10,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

This generation of ES is a Top Safety Pick according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also earned a maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Among the standard safety features are forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and lane-centering assistance.