THERE is something rather reassuring about a Lexus. You generally know what you’re going to get: excellent build quality, a beautifully finished interior, impressive refinement and a level of comfort that makes even a long journey feel less arduous.
The all-new Lexus ES 350e takes those traditional qualities and wraps them in a thoroughly modern package. This eighth-generation luxury saloon is fully electric, considerably larger than its predecessor and boasts an interior that feels genuinely special.
I drove the range-topping Takumi, finished in Glacier Blue metallic, which certainly looked the part. It’s a handsome car, with plenty of road presence, although its real appeal lies in what happens once you climb inside.
At just over 5.1 metres long, the ES is a substantial executive saloon. Lexus has clearly concentrated on passenger comfort, particularly for those travelling in the rear, while the electric powertrain promises the sort of quiet, effortless progress that suits a car of this nature.
The UK gets the ES exclusively as a battery electric model, with the front-wheel-drive ES 350e producing 221bhp. A 72kWh usable battery provides a claimed WLTP range of up to 361 miles, although the Takumi manages a slightly lower 326 miles.
Those figures are respectable rather than spectacular, but outright performance isn’t really the point here. The ES is much more interested in comfort, refinement and making every journey a relaxing experience.
Exterior styling
The new ES is a very smart-looking car. Its considerable dimensions are disguised reasonably well by a sleek, flowing design that gives it an almost coupe-like profile.
The front end is unmistakably Lexus, with the familiar spindle design evolving to reflect its electric powertrain.
From the side, the sloping roofline flows neatly towards the rear, avoiding the rather boxy appearance that can affect some large saloons. At the back, a full-width light bar incorporates the Lexus lettering and emphasises the car’s considerable width.
My Takumi test car was finished in Glacier Blue metallic, which suited the styling particularly well. It’s a striking colour without being overly flashy and certainly attracted attention.
At 5,145mm long, 1,920mm wide and 1,560mm tall, this is a sizeable vehicle. Its 2,950mm wheelbase helps provide the generous cabin space that is such an important part of its appeal.
Overall, Lexus has got the styling right. It’s modern and distinctive without becoming unnecessarily fussy, and the ES looks every inch the premium luxury saloon.
Trim levels and costs
The Lexus ES 350e is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi.
Prices start at £59,345 for the Premium with 19-inch wheels. Premium Plus costs £68,245, while the range-topping Takumi comes in at £72,545.
Premium and Premium Plus models are available with either 19-inch or 21-inch wheels, with the larger wheels adding £1,600. The Takumi gets 21-inch wheels as standard.
Even the entry-level Premium is generously equipped, with a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging and a 10-speaker audio system.
The Premium Plus adds semi-aniline leather upholstery, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, head-up display, electronic rear-view mirror and the attractive bamboo layering door trim.
The Takumi takes things further, with reclining heated and ventilated rear seats, an extending ottoman-style leg rest behind the front passenger, rear climate controls and powered rear sunshades.
It’s a considerable amount of money, but Lexus has certainly made an effort to justify the price with equipment and interior quality.
Another attractive aspect of ownership is the Lexus Relax warranty programme, which can provide service-activated cover for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, subject to its conditions. That’s reassuring for anyone intending to keep their car beyond the usual three-year ownership cycle.
On the road
The ES 350e isn’t designed to be an electric sports saloon, and that’s probably just as well.
Its front-mounted electric motor produces 221bhp and 269Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. That’s enough to take the car from 0-62mph in eight seconds, with a maximum speed of 99mph.
There is nothing particularly startling about those figures, especially when you consider that the ES weighs around 2,245kg. Some considerably cheaper electric cars will leave it behind at the traffic lights.
But that’s rather missing the point. The ES is much more interested in getting you to your destination without making a fuss about it. Acceleration is smooth and progressive, with sufficient performance for everyday driving. It simply doesn’t have the instant punch that has become something of an expectation with modern electric cars.
This is a very quiet EV when on the move, as a Lexus should be. Wind and road noise are impressively well contained, and the overall driving experience is wonderfully relaxed. It’s the sort of car that encourages you to settle into a comfortable cruising speed rather than constantly looking for opportunities to demonstrate its acceleration.
I initially thought the suspension was perhaps a little on the soft side during our trip up to the House of Bruar, Pitlochry. However, after spending more time with the car, I began to appreciate what Lexus was trying to achieve.
The suspension does an excellent job of evening out bumps and imperfections in the road surface. Poorer stretches of tarmac are dealt with remarkably well, and the car remains comfortable and composed when the road deteriorates.
It’s not a particularly sporty experience, nor does it pretend to be. There is some body movement if you start pushing it through tighter bends, but the steering is predictable and the car feels reassuringly stable.
The ES uses a revised version of Lexus’s GA-K platform, with a multi-link rear suspension introduced for the first time on an ES. The engineering has clearly been directed towards improving comfort, body rigidity and controlling noise and vibration.
Charging is less impressive. Maximum DC charging is 150kW, with a claimed 10-80 per cent charge taking around 28 minutes under the specified conditions. That’s perfectly usable, but some less expensive electric cars can charge considerably faster.
The Takumi’s claimed range is 326 miles, compared with up to 361 miles for the entry-level Premium. It’s worth bearing in mind that equipment and wheel choices affect the official figures.
Interior and technology
If there’s one area where the ES really makes an impression, it’s the interior.
The cabin has a genuinely premium feel, with good-quality materials, excellent fit and finish and an uncluttered design that manages to look modern without becoming unnecessarily complicated.
I particularly liked the bamboo trim. It’s an unusual feature in a car, but it works extremely well and adds something a little different to the interior. Lexus uses a clever layered printing and illumination technique, allowing the trim to take on different illuminated colours to complement the ambient lighting.
It’s a lovely detail and helps distinguish the ES from some of its more conventional rivals.
Another feature I particularly appreciated was the arrangement of touch-sensitive controls beneath the main infotainment screen. Normally concealed within the dashboard trim, they illuminate when the car is switched on and provide straightforward access to functions such as temperature adjustment and demisting.
Then there’s the beautifully finished knurled chrome volume control in the centre of the dashboard. It’s a small detail, perhaps, but particularly pleasing to use and a welcome reminder that physical controls still have a place in modern car interiors.
The new LexusConnect system uses a 14-inch touchscreen, supported by a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. Navigation information can be shared between the two screens, while the system also incorporates connected services, voice control and EV-specific navigation functions.
There’s plenty of technology on board, but I think the success of the interior comes from the way Lexus has balanced that technology with conventional controls.
The Takumi also benefits from its 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, semi-aniline leather upholstery and additional luxury touches. It’s a lovely place to spend time, and one that feels entirely appropriate for a car at this price.
Practicality
The ES is a big car, and thankfully Lexus has made good use of those dimensions.
Rear passenger space is particularly impressive. There’s plenty of legroom, and the sloping, coupe-like roofline doesn’t appear to compromise headroom in the way you might expect.
Passengers in the back should be very comfortable, and the car has a genuine executive limousine feel. The Takumi takes things further with reclining heated and ventilated seats, an extending ottoman-style leg rest and individual rear climate controls.
The boot offers 512 litres of capacity, which is reasonable, although its shape is a little awkward due to intrusive mount coverings on either side and a strange sloping floor toward the rear of the boot space. It’s perfectly adequate for everyday luggage, but not quite as straightforward to use as you might expect.
There are a couple of practical compromises worth mentioning: Firstly, the rear seats don’t fold down, although Lexus has provided a substantial ski hatch for carrying longer items. It’s useful, but doesn’t offer the flexibility of a conventional folding rear-seat arrangement.
Secondly, there’s no front storage compartment, or frunk. That means charging cables have to be carried in the boot, taking up space that could otherwise be used for more of that clutter you really need . . .
There’s also no towing capacity, either braked or unbraked, so anyone hoping to tow a small trailer or caravan will need to look elsewhere.
The ES is clearly designed around passenger comfort rather than maximum versatility. For most executive saloon buyers that will probably be acceptable, but it does limit its usefulness for some owners.
Safety and equipment
Lexus has equipped the ES with its latest generation of Lexus Safety System+, bringing together a comprehensive range of active safety and driver assistance technology.
Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure assistance, blind spot monitoring, safe exit assistance and rear cross-traffic alert. More advanced functions include front cross-traffic alert, lane change assistance and an emergency driving stop system.
It’s an extensive package, although there’s a balance to be struck between helpful driver assistance and technology that becomes a little too keen to offer its opinion.
Some of the safety alerts and warning systems can be rather intrusive, particularly the lane-keeping assistance and various audible warnings. Modern cars seem increasingly determined to tell us when we’re doing something wrong, and the ES isn’t entirely immune to that particular affliction.
The good news is that the ES has a comprehensive safety package, but I’d recommend spending a little time familiarising yourself with the settings to get the various assistance systems working in a way that suits you.
Verdict
The Lexus ES 350e Takumi is a very accomplished luxury electric saloon, although it isn’t necessarily the car for everyone.
If you’re looking for blistering performance, sporty handling or maximum practicality, there are better options available. Its 221bhp motor is hardly groundbreaking, charging speeds are relatively modest by modern EV standards.
But those criticisms rather overlook what the ES does particularly well. It looks smart, the interior is beautifully finished and the level of refinement is excellent. It’s also a genuinely comfortable car, particularly over longer distances, and the amount of rear passenger space is impressive.
I particularly liked the bamboo trim, the illuminated touch-sensitive controls and that wonderfully tactile chrome volume button. The little touches matter in a car like this, and Lexus gets plenty of them right.
The ES 350e might not be the most exciting electric car on sale, but it is a very good luxury saloon. Sometimes, a little less excitement and a lot more comfort is exactly what you want.
At a Glance
- Make & Model: Lexus ES 350e Takumi
- Price (OTR, as tested): £73,795
- Powertrain: Single electric motor, front-wheel drive
- Battery: 77kWh gross / 72kWh usable lithium-ion
- Power: 221bhp (165kW)
- Torque: 269Nm
- 0-62mph: 8.0 seconds
- Top Speed: 99mph
- WLTP Electric Range: Up to 326 miles
- Charging: 22kW AC; up to 150kW DC; 10–80% in 28 minutes
- Boot Capacity: 512 litres
- Warranty: Lexus Relax service-activated warranty up to 10 years/100,000 miles, subject to terms and conditions.
