The Lexus ES, a hallmark of refined luxury and sophisticated design, is expanding its horizons for the 2021 model year. Introducing two compelling additions to the lineup, Lexus unveils the all-new 2021 ES 250 AWD, designed to deliver enhanced confidence in diverse weather conditions, and the striking 2021 ES 350 Black Line Special Edition, injecting a dose of sporty elegance into the esteemed sedan. Furthermore, Lexus elevates the standard features across the Luxury, F SPORT, and Ultra Luxury trims, incorporating Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert for heightened safety and peace of mind. With these strategic enhancements, the 2021 Lexus Es caters to a broader spectrum of drivers, offering a tailored luxury experience for every lifestyle and environment. The updated 2021 ES range is set to arrive at dealerships in early fall 2020, promising a refreshed and enriched driving experience.
Introducing the 2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD: Enhanced All-Weather Confidence
For the first time in its celebrated history, the Lexus ES series welcomes an all-wheel drive variant – the 2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD. This groundbreaking addition is engineered to provide drivers with superior traction and control, particularly when navigating challenging weather conditions. Whether facing snowy roads, rain-slicked streets, or even the occasional gravel path, the ES 250 AWD ensures all four tires maintain optimal contact with the road surface. This enhanced grip translates to improved stability and confident handling, especially when cornering or accelerating in less-than-ideal conditions.
Powering the 2021 ES 250 AWD is a responsive 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, meticulously calibrated to deliver power to all four wheels. This intelligent system optimizes torque distribution to minimize wheel slip and maximize acceleration, producing 203 horsepower while maintaining an impressive estimated fuel economy of 28 combined MPG. Notably, this fuel efficiency surpasses other gasoline models within the ES family, making the AWD variant a compelling blend of capability and economy.
The heart of the ES 250 AWD’s capability lies in its Dynamic Torque Control AWD system. This sophisticated technology can seamlessly direct up to 50 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels in response to various driving conditions, such as initial acceleration or front wheel slippage. However, when all-wheel drive is not necessary, the system intelligently disengages the rear drive axle via an electromagnetic controlled coupling. This clever feature minimizes the typical fuel economy drawbacks associated with AWD systems, ensuring efficiency without compromising on-demand traction. The transition between two-wheel and four-wheel drive is virtually imperceptible to both driver and passengers, providing a seamless and confident driving experience.
Importantly, the integration of the AWD system is achieved without compromising the renowned comfort and spaciousness of the Lexus ES. Passenger legroom, trunk capacity, ride quality, and cabin quietness remain uncompromised. The rear seat hip point height mirrors that of the front-wheel drive ES models, ensuring consistent comfort throughout the cabin. Furthermore, the established suspension tuning, wheel designs, and tire options across the ES model grades are carried over to their respective AWD counterparts. For example, the sporty ES F SPORT AWD retains the same sport-tuned suspension and striking 19-inch wheels found on the FWD version, preserving the distinct character of each trim level.
Elevated Style: The 2021 Lexus ES 350 Black Line Special Edition
For drivers seeking a heightened sense of sporty sophistication, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 Black Line Special Edition package emerges as a compelling choice. This limited-production offering, restricted to just 1,500 units, builds upon the dynamic foundation of the ES 350 F SPORT grade. Available in a curated palette of three exterior colors – the vibrant Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0, the classic Obsidian, and the pristine Ultra White – the Black Line Special Edition exudes exclusivity and visual appeal. The interior further enhances the sporty ambiance with the F SPORT-exclusive two-tone scheme, combining white and black upholstery accented by elegant gray stitching.
Distinguishing the Black Line Special Edition are a series of unique design elements. Black outer mirrors, darkened F SPORT wheels complemented by black lug nuts, and a newly designed sporty black rear lip spoiler contribute to a more aggressive and refined aesthetic. These subtle yet impactful enhancements amplify the F SPORT’s inherent athleticism, creating a visually striking and limited-edition Lexus ES.
Adding to the allure of the Black Line Special Edition, Lexus has partnered with Zero Halliburton® to create an exclusive two-piece luggage set tailored specifically for Lexus owners. The Edge Lightweight Collection for Lexus by Zero Halliburton embodies the renowned craftsmanship and durability of the luggage brand, featuring distinctive touches such as a chrome logo badge laser-etched with “Zero Halliburton for Lexus,” a luxurious interior lining, a subtle Lexus grille motif, and a Lexus embossed leather logo badge. This bespoke luggage set comprises an Edge Lightweight 22” Continental Carry-on and a 26” Medium Travel Case, both finished in sleek black. These exclusive travel cases will be delivered directly to the owners of the ES 350 Black Line Special Edition, adding a touch of premium lifestyle to the ownership experience.
Refinements Across the 2021 Lexus ES Range
Beyond the introduction of the AWD model and Black Line Edition, the 2021 Lexus ES benefits from a range of enhancements that further solidify its position as a leading luxury sedan. The ES continues to be built upon the robust Global Architecture–K (GA-K) platform. This foundation allows for a design that is not only visually captivating but also contributes to a more engaging driving experience. Compared to the previous generation, the seventh-generation ES boasts increased dimensions, being longer (+2.6 inches), lower (-0.2 inches), and wider (+1.8 inches). The wheels are positioned closer to the vehicle’s corners, thanks to a two-inch longer wheelbase and wider front (+0.4 inches) and rear (+1.5 inches) tracks. These dimensional changes contribute to a more planted stance and enhanced handling dynamics.
Exterior Design Evolution
The signature Lexus spindle grille remains a central design element, evolving from the cues established by the LC coupe and LS flagship. However, the ES grille incorporates unique characteristics, such as the vertical grille pattern, lending it a distinct identity within the Lexus family. This vertical theme is echoed at each corner of the bumper, visually widening the stance of the ES and projecting an image of strength and stability.
F SPORT models further differentiate themselves with a unique mesh grille pattern directly inspired by the LS flagship. Instead of the standard vertical bars, the F SPORT grille features interlocking “L” shapes in a jet black finish with dark trim. The cutouts at each corner of the front fascia also sport the black mesh treatment, but with wider openings compared to the standard model, further accentuating the vehicle’s firmly planted and sporty character.
The slim and sophisticated headlamp design of the ES incorporates distinctive L-shaped marker lights, a signature Lexus styling cue. Optional triple-beam LED headlights are available, enhancing the premium aesthetic with three compact LED projector units. The standard headlight design features a single LED projector beam, while retaining the iconic “L”-shaped marker lights.
Interior Elegance and Options
The 2021 Lexus ES offers a diverse selection of wheel designs to complement its refined exterior. Standard models feature 17-inch split 10-spoke wheels with dark silver accents and a machined finish. A similar color scheme is employed for the larger 18-inch, 10-spoke wheels available with the Premium package and standard on the Luxury grade. The Ultra Luxury grade receives a unique 18-inch split five-spoke wheel design with a high-gloss finish. F SPORT models are equipped with exclusive 19-inch wheels featuring a dual-spoke design and a dark premium graphite coating, further emphasizing their sporty nature.
A wide array of twelve exterior color options allows for personalization, including Nightfall Mica, Eminent White Pearl*, Nebula Gray Pearl, Silver Lining Metallic, Atomic Silver, Obsidian, Caviar, Matador Red Mica, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, and Sunlit Green. The ES F SPORT palette includes exclusive options like Ultra Sonic Blue Mica 2.0* and Ultra White*.
The interior of the ES offers a similarly rich tapestry of options, varying by trim level. Base ES models offer NuLuxe®-trim in Chateau, Black, and Flaxen, paired with Black, Dark Mocha wood, or Espresso wood trim accents. Luxury grades feature leather-trimmed interiors in Chateau, Black, and Flaxen, with matching interior accents and wood trim options. F SPORT models offer NuLuxe®-trim in White, Black, and Circuit Red, all paired with Hadori Aluminum trim accents, reinforcing the sporty theme. The Ultra Luxury grade introduces a new semi-aniline leather-trimmed seat color and wood trim combination: Rich Cream paired with Espresso Wood trim, expanding the already extensive range of interior choices.
Driving Dynamics: Engineered for a Responsive Ride
The GA-K chassis underpinning the 2021 Lexus ES is engineered for exceptional rigidity, utilizing various grades of high-strength steel. The chassis construction incorporates more than double the laser screw welds compared to the previous generation, along with laser screw welding techniques shared with the flagship LS sedan. These advanced construction methods result in a remarkably robust structure, enhancing both handling precision and overall vehicle integrity. Additional measures to increase front-end stiffness include a strut tower brace, multiple reinforcement panels for the strut towers, and new radiator support braces.
The suspension system is meticulously tuned to complement the chassis’ rigidity and responsiveness. The front suspension features an optimized strut angle to enhance ride quality, while an increased caster angle (+2 degrees) and caster trail (+0.3 inches) compared to the previous generation improve straight-line stability. Dynamic Control Shocks are employed, capable of responding to even minute movements due to a non-overlapping auxiliary valve that allows damper oil to flow bi-directionally before reaching the main valve.
The rear suspension design utilizes a trailing arm and multilink setup, also benefiting from the responsiveness of the new Dynamic Control Shocks. Higher placement of the trailing arm mounting point and larger bushings effectively dampen road irregularities, contributing to a smoother and more refined ride. Wider spacing of the stabilizer bushing mounts further contributes to reduced body roll.
A rack-assist type Electric Power Steering (EPS) system is implemented to deliver a more precise and communicative steering feel compared to the previous generation. Unlike the previous ES which used a steering-column-mounted assist motor, the EPS system in the 2021 model mounts the assist motor directly on the steering rack, providing more direct feedback to the steering wheel and enhancing driver engagement.
F SPORT Performance Upgrades
The F SPORT model takes driving dynamics a step further with the availability of Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). This advanced system replaces the Dynamic Control Shocks with adjustable dampers, similar to the systems found in the LC coupe and LS sedan. The AVS system in the ES is capable of an impressive 650 levels of adjustment, optimizing ride quality and control across a wide range of driving scenarios. Adjustments are made based on real-time data from sensors measuring linear and vertical g-loads, vehicle speed, steering angle, yaw rate, and master cylinder pressure, as well as information from the engine and skid control computers.
All 2021 ES models feature a Drive Mode Select system, allowing drivers to tailor the car’s settings to suit varying road conditions and personal preferences. Models without AVS offer Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, while AVS-equipped cars replace Sport mode with Sport S and add Sport S+ and Custom modes, expanding the spectrum of driving experiences.
In Eco mode, fuel efficiency is prioritized by moderating engine responses and optimizing climate control system operation. In Sport mode (or Sport S in AVS-equipped cars), throttle response is sharpened, transmission shift patterns are adjusted for more dynamic performance, and steering assist is altered for enhanced control. Sport S+ mode, available on AVS-equipped models, further amplifies performance by adjusting throttle, transmission, steering, and adaptive damper settings for a more aggressive driving experience. Custom mode allows drivers to individually tailor engine/transmission programs, steering/suspension programs, and climate control programs to their specific preferences.
Powertrain Choices: From Efficient to Powerful
The 2021 Lexus ES lineup expands its powertrain offerings with the introduction of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the new ES 250 AWD model. This addition brings the total powertrain choices to three, alongside the returning ES 350 and ES 300h.
ES 250 AWD Engine
As previously discussed, the ES 250 AWD is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, delivering a balanced combination of performance and efficiency, particularly for all-weather driving.
ES 350 V6 Engine
The ES 350 continues to be powered by a potent 3.5-liter V6 engine (2GR-FKS), engineered to provide both responsive acceleration and impressive fuel efficiency. This advanced V6 incorporates the D-4S fuel injection system, utilizing high-pressure injectors for direct cylinder injection and a low-pressure system for port injection. Combined with Variable Valve Timing-intelligence Wide (VVTi-W) for the intake valves, the engine can operate on either the traditional Otto cycle for spirited driving or the more efficient Atkinson cycle during lower power demands.
The 3.5-liter V6 produces 302 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm. Manufacturer-estimated fuel economy figures are 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. An 8-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission complements the V6 engine’s power delivery, ensuring smooth and responsive gear changes.
ES 300h Hybrid Powertrain
The ES 300h combines a highly efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (A25A-FXS) operating on the Atkinson cycle with a compact and power-dense electric motor and a hybrid transaxle. This sophisticated hybrid system delivers a combined 215 total system horsepower and an impressive manufacturer-estimated 44 combined mpg. For the 2021 model year, engineers have replaced the previous nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery with a more advanced lithium-ion battery. Furthermore, the battery has been relocated from the trunk to beneath the rear seat, facilitated by a 4.7-inch reduction in battery height and a more compact cooling system. This strategic relocation not only frees up valuable trunk space but also improves the front-to-rear weight distribution of the ES, enhancing handling dynamics.
The ES 300h’s hybrid control system is designed to provide a more linear acceleration feel by closely aligning engine speed with vehicle speed, minimizing the “rubber band” sensation sometimes associated with hybrid systems. Engaging Sport drive mode further enhances acceleration by boosting torque at lower speeds, while paddle shifters offer simulated gear changes for more driver control.
Interior and Technology: Comfort and Connectivity Redefined
Enhanced Cabin Comfort
The seventh-generation Lexus ES prioritizes driver and passenger comfort. Key refinements to the driving position include a more natural steering wheel angle, revised pedal positions, and standard 10-way power-adjustable front seats. Drawing inspiration from the flagship LS, the steering wheel itself is directly adopted from the flagship sedan, featuring an ergonomically sculpted design and optional wood trim and heating elements. Heated seats are available for both driver and front passenger, along with a new suction-type ventilation system for enhanced cooling in warm weather.
Rear-seat passenger comfort remains a hallmark of the ES. Headroom is improved compared to the previous generation through a lower hip point and carefully contoured headliner. The ES also offers a generous 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, complemented by underfloor side pockets for smaller items. The hybrid model maintains the same cargo capacity, as the battery pack is positioned beneath the rear seat. An optional hands-free trunk opener further enhances convenience when loading cargo.
Advanced Multimedia and Connectivity
To ensure seamless multimedia integration, all 2021 ES models feature Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. Amazon Alexa compatibility is also included, allowing drivers with compatible devices to utilize natural language commands for various functions, including car-to-home and home-to-car commands.
The Lexus multimedia system is positioned prominently on the ES dashboard. Standard models feature an 8-inch wide display, while models equipped with the optional Navigation package boast a larger 12.3-inch Electro Multi Vision (EMV) display. Both displays offer crisp graphics, intuitive menus, and optional navigation with cloud-based data integration for enhanced accuracy.
The instrument panel is designed to place essential information within the driver’s line of sight, featuring a large analog tachometer, digital speedometer, and a multi-information display. Standard models utilize a 7-inch screen, while F SPORT models feature an 8-inch display with a movable center ring, similar to the LC. This movable ring can slide to expand the multi-information display area on the left side of the screen.
A 10-speaker Pioneer® audio system is standard on all models, while a premium 17-speaker Mark Levinson® system is available. The Mark Levinson system delivers 1,800 watts of power and incorporates Clari-Fi® technology to enhance the sound quality of compressed digital audio sources.
Onboard Wi-Fi powered by AT&T is included with a trial period. Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Enform Service Connect, and Enform Remote trials are also included, providing access to a suite of connected services for safety, maintenance alerts, and remote vehicle control via a smartphone app.
Safety and Driver Assistance: Prioritizing Peace of Mind
Enhanced Safety Systems Standard
Safety is paramount in the 2021 Lexus ES. Luxury, F SPORT, and Ultra Luxury trims now come standard with Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, enhancing driver awareness and mitigating potential hazards. Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Enform Remote, Lexus Enform Wi-Fi, and Lexus Enform Service Connect trials are available across all ES models for 2021.
All grades of the 2021 ES are equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard equipment. This comprehensive suite of safety technologies includes the Pre-Collision System (PCS) with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Road Sign Assist (RSA). These advanced systems work in concert to provide a multi-layered approach to safety, helping to prevent accidents and enhance driver confidence.
The 2021 Lexus ES: A Refined and Expanded Luxury Sedan
The 2021 Lexus ES represents a significant evolution of this iconic luxury sedan. With the introduction of the ES 250 AWD, Lexus expands the ES family to cater to drivers seeking enhanced all-weather capability. The ES 350 Black Line Special Edition adds a layer of sporty exclusivity, while the enhanced standard features and refined design elements across the range further elevate the ES experience. Whether prioritizing fuel efficiency, dynamic performance, or all-weather confidence, the 2021 Lexus ES offers a compelling and tailored luxury sedan for discerning drivers.
Updated June 26, 2024.
