6 January 2016
Starting with the ES, Lexus are rolling out some new changes for 2016 and their main emphasis is a large safety upgrade called Lexus Safety System+ - a system that's a combination of advanced safety features and accident avoidance technologies.
The car's interior has also received a bit of a transformation which is most noticeable is the darker, interior upholstery and new woodgrain colour. Other smaller changes include a larger, multi-function display and a sportier steering wheel, while the Limited model that I tested also gained Mark Levinson audio, LED headlights, 3 zone air conditioning, rear sunshades and a power boot lid.
Stay safe and informed
The 10 airbags fitted to this model cement Lexus' stand on creating extremely safe vehicles. The new Safety System+ includes pre-crash systems, lane departure alerts with steering assist, and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
I enjoyed the audible navigation warnings on fixed speed camera locations and warning of rail crossings ahead. However some cameras are no longer operating, so an upgrade may be needed.
Miracle Paint
All models now have self-restoring paint which allows the car’s clear coat to heal itself from minor damage. Luckily I did not get to try out this feature, as interesting as it sounds, or maybe I did ....
Driving the ES on a long journey was very pleasurable, with great fuel savings made by the vehicle switching in and out of EV mode. Be a little more wary if you take it around a busier area though as the silence caught a few pedestrians off-guard when passing through.
Costs
The ES offers motorists with a few different choices of model. If you're not overly concerned with fuel usage and want to take advantage of the 204kW on offer, the ES 350 with 3.5Ltr V6 and 6-speed auto is one option ($86,990).
If you're looking for something a little cheaper, and a car that's more suited to economy driving, there's the ES 300h, 2.5Ltr four cylinder Hybrid, combined with an electronically operated CVT transmission. This is available from $74,990 and gives a total output of 151kW.
Both models can be further enhanced by selecting the Limited spec at an additional cost of around $12k.