Lexus, the luxury car brand of Japanese automaker Toyota, has launched the seventh-generation ES sedan premium sedan in India. Lexus India has introduced ES 300h variant and priced it at Rs 59.13 lakh (ex-showroom).
The most important addition in the next generation Lexus ES 300h is the adoption of new Global Architecture - K (GA-K) platform which is a derivative of Toyota's TNGA platform. The luxury sedan also gets styling updates and it is powered by a hybrid powertrain.
At the front, Lexus' signature spindle grille is more pronouncing now with the clever use of chrome slats. The slim LED headlamps with L-shaped clusters give the sedan a sporty touch. The sedan gets bigger 18-inch alloy wheels in new design while sharp lines and the wraparound LED taillights add drama at the rear. Lexus offers nine exterior paint finish options with the new ES 300h.
The new generation Lexus ES is 66mm longer, 5mm lower and 45mm wider than the outgoing model. The wheelbase has also increased by 50 mm and the sedan gets wider tracks front and rear. The boot space has been increased to 454 litres.
Inside the cabin, the control panel and display have been moved closer to the driver. Lexus claims the rear passengers have assured a comfortable ride with an extended legroom of 998.6 mm, made possible by the longer wheelbase.
The sedan also flaunts console mounted climate and audio controls along with adjustable and heated semi-aniline seats, and the 17 speaker Mark Levinson Pure Play system.
The new Lexus ES 300h is powered by a fourth-generation Hybrid Drive system. The Euro 6 compliant, new hybrid electric system coupled with the four-cylinder petrol engine develops a combined output of 215bhp and returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 22.37kmpl.
On the safety front, the Lexus ES 300h gets class leading 10 airbags, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, and Anti-theft system, with break-in and tilt sensors.
The new Lexus ES 300h goes up against Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF.