2022 Lexus ES Review: Comfort At Its Comfiest
Lexus' bread and butter offering has traditionally been in the luxury sedan market, but with the continuing rise of the SUV, the brand's focus has seemingly shifted towards more profitable body styles. With the GS now defunct, the Lexus ES takes on the midsize luxury mantle for the Japanese brand, with the Toyota Avalon serving as the basis for this rival to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class.
These competitors provide stiff competition with their dynamic drive, but Lexus isn't new to the game and has filled this midsize executive sedan with several luxury features and quality materials that give it a truly premium feel. Under the hood, the ES produces up to 302 horsepower from a naturally-aspirated gas V6 or 215 hp from a hybrid powertrain. There's also a 203-hp inline-four option at the entry point of the range. And with an updated infotainment system, a refreshed face, and rejiggered driver assistance suite, things look better than ever for this mid-management business tool.
What's the Price of the 2022 Lexus ES?
The price of the new Lexus ES starts at $42,100 for the base model ES 250 AWD and excludes tax, registration, and destination charges. Opting for the 250 F Sport increases pricing to $46,750, and $47,500 gets you the ES 250 Luxury. The 250 Ultra Luxury is priced at $51,280. ES 350 variants follow this pricing structure with the exception of the ES 350 Ultra Luxury, which costs $51,100.
The MSRP of Lexus ES hybrid models starts at $43,300 for the 300h, with 300h F sport models costing $46,850, and Luxury variants upping the price to $48,700. At the top of the pack, the ES 300h Ultra Luxury goes on sale for $52,480.
2022 ES Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195.9 in | 113.0 in | 56.9 in | 73.4 in | 62.9 in | 63.4 in | 3,690.0 lbs |
2022 ES Performance
2022 Lexus ES Handling and Driving Impressions
The Lexus ES doesn't pretend to be an athletic car: this Japanese luxury executive cradles its occupants in stunning comfort, and once inside the cabin, there's an overall feeling of insulated tranquility that is quite relaxing. City streets are handled with aplomb, and rough road surfaces disappear without notice under the ES' wheels. When it comes to sporty driving, the ES is no BMW 5 Series. This midsize sedan prefers life in the cruising lane, but when pushed, it does offer good grip; still, the suspension setup favors comfort over dynamic ability. Available in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, pushing the Lexus ES too hard into a corner will result in eventual understeer. On the highway, this machine is an awesome cruiser and will make an excellent long-distance companion.
2022 ES Interior
2022 ES Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 6 Years / 70,000 Miles | 6 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 1 Years / 10,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is The 2022 Lexus ES A Good car?
Lexus is no newcomer and knows how to build a well-sorted luxury sedan, and the ES isn't a massive game-changer, but what it does offer is a well-rounded luxury sedan experience at a reasonable price. The ES takes its luxury seriously, and few in its class can offer such impressive ride quality and cabin comfort. For 2022 the ES gains some more standard tech and an improved infotainment system, making the interior even more user-friendly. Competitors such as the BMW 5 Series Sedan and Mercedes-Benz E-Class offer a more involved driving experience and a better range of engines, but if comfort and class are your main concerns, then the Lexus is right up there with the best of them - especially when you consider its reasonable asking price.
What 2022 Lexus ES Model Should I Buy?
The 2022 Lexus ES feels like a premium machine in any trim level, so you can't really go wrong here. We would suggest going for the Luxury trim level as it adds a significant amount of features over the base model for a moderate price increase. Luxury models add a 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a quilted and perforated semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior, heated and ventilated front seats, power rear sunshade with manual rear-door sunshades, a heated wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and intuitive parking assist with auto braking. We'd opt for the 302-hp V6 engine on Lexus ES 350 derivatives and add the navigation package for a total build cost of $49,320, including delivery fees.