Perhaps my fondest and most nostalgic memory of Lexus growing up was seeing an LED-emblazoned IS in Dua Lipa’s Be The One music video nearly a decade ago. There was something about that moment that put Lexus into a new league for me. It became a car that I would aspire to, and maybe even one day get to drive myself. Fast-forward to today, and with the invitation to experience and review the marque’s all-new ES, that wish was to be fulfilled.
Lexus: celebrating the saloon since day one
The chance to be part of the launch comes at a pivotal moment for the brand as Lexus looks to redefine itself as the go-to for an elegant and luxurious saloon, something that has remained a core principle since Toyota first launched it back in 1989.
Lexus’s origins have, to this day, been key in the development of its latest models, and it was back in 1982 that then chairman of Toyota Eiji Toyoda sent his teams out to develop “the best car in the world”, and, with that, the first saloons debuted in the United States as the brand was born.
A luxury itinerary to launch a luxury Car
The itinerary was sent ahead of descending upon an overnight stay at the posh Leonardslee House, and when I first received it, two things stood out.
Firstly, that we’d be in for a treat, as part of the trip would see us dine at Interlude, a restaurant that has long been on my list of places to go. Second, the proposed itinerary, courtesy of Toyota’s press team, had a clear angle: to position the latest iteration of the ES as a premium product.
I hadn’t yet seen the vehicle in situ, and, admittedly, other than my fascination with Dua Lipa behind the wheel of the Lexus IS, I did not have much experience with the Lexus range. For me, this was also a chance to refamiliarise myself with a marque that is on an exciting chapter of its story as it transitions into a lifestyle brand.
A few clues in the run-up to the launch left little impression, and thus, this was to be a discovery that I would see with fresh eyes. The itinerary noted we would experience ‘an advanced premium saloon with superior luxury features’ and not a great deal more, leaving much to the imagination.
The perfect backdrop: Mannings Heath Golf Club
I arrived at our first meeting point, Mannings Heath Golf Club, discreetly set on an off-road stretch in West Sussex and spanning around 500 acres of golf course, dining, and its own vineyard.
From experience, having been on media drives before, I often get grouped with hardcore petrolheads; pleasant as they are, I was relieved when the team told me that they had all been and gone earlier in the week.
I realised they had saved the best for last: the lifestyle press, and with a different view came a bigger need to focus on the luxury elements of the ES, and the setting of a picturesque country estate was the perfect backdrop to showcase them.
The afternoon was centred around a tasting at Leonardslee Wine Estate, which neighbours the golf course and is the brainchild of Penny Streeter OBE, who also notably owns South Africa’s Benguela Cove, adding to her portfolio of wineries and vineyards.
A couple of glasses of the estate’s sparkling wines down, followed by a light afternoon tea, and it was time to head to Leonardslee House and finally catch the first glimpse of the ES, as the entire fleet was on full show in the hotel’s car park.
The ES: an impressive model with a sleek look
First impressions did not disappoint; the new ES has a commanding presence, and its exterior leans into the saloon’s luxe appeal, available exclusively as a battery-electric model in the UK as the ES 350e.
This model is the eighth generation of the luxury saloon and is the marque’s answer to a more advanced take on its predecessor as part of a shift towards an electrified era.
Defined by a design concept inspired by the Lexus LF-ZC unveiled at Japan’s 2023 Mobility Show, the ES’s exterior is built on an ethos of “Clean Tech x Elegance,” reinforcing the craftsmanship and seamless balance of function and fashion expressed in the car’s styling.
Another noteworthy highlight of the new ES is that it is larger and more spacious than previous models, and this is echoed across the car’s body.
Chief Designer Kumai has taken the signature Lexus spindle body, and the distinct shape is further accentuated by a wide, low face, keeping the saloon look and feel while adding a sporty touch that makes it recognisably Lexus.
The side view carries the same saloon aesthetic, and the silhouette retains a slimmer, more refined look that carries through to the rear, where volume and proportions are played with to achieve the modern feel of the ES.
Showcasing Lexus through the art of omotenashi
The evening’s festivities commenced, and we headed to Interlude. Precision and attention to detail, along with innovative flavours, seemed very much the theme for the meal – and it was this intricacy that referenced another key theme of Lexus, omotenashi.
This unique Japanese hospitality concept makes a guest feel welcome in your home and reflects an uncompromising level of care, in keeping with the craft that has gone into perfecting the ES.
By the following morning, it was time to get behind the wheel and experience the seamless drive of the ES, which has been adapted with an array of new tech-savvy features, from dynamic ambient lighting that comes in 64 different light settings that move to the sound of music, to the new-generation Lexus Safety System+, which aids driving through intelligent assistance pioneered to avoid accidents and reduce the difficulty of driving.
Final thoughts: An elegant saloon built for the future
The ES delivers a seamlessly smooth, easy drive, and it is the first Lexus to be fitted with new-generation front seats, providing added support and more comfort for the driver and passenger.
Other luxe features include Tahara synthetic leather or perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery and a stylish bamboo layering trim designed to synchronise with the cabin’s ambient lighting.
Music lovers can rejoice as the ES comes fitted with a 10-speaker audio package as standard, which is upgraded to a Mark Levinson surround sound system in the Premium Plus and Takumi grade models, allowing for high clarity and definition – a perfect addition as I attempted to recreate the Dua Lipa scene during my Friday morning drive along the countryside in what I would say is the most luxurious saloon Lexus has created to date.
To discover more of the 350e, visit Lexus.
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Images Courtesy of Lexus.