2024 Lexus ES: The Smooth Luxury Sedan Gets a Tech Upgrade

The Lexus ES is one of the best-selling luxury sedans in the U.S., thanks to its smooth ride, spacious interior, and reliable quality. The 2024 model year brings some minor updates to the Lexus ES, such as a new Technology Package that adds a larger touchscreen, a digital key, and a wireless charger. The new Lexus ES also gets a revised F Sport model that offers two levels of sportiness: Design and Handling. The 2024 Lexus ES is expected to hit the dealerships in summer 2023, with prices starting at $43,190.

What's New for 2024?

The 2024 Lexus ES does not change much from the previous Lexus ES model, which is still in its seventh generation and debuted in 2019. However, it does get some subtle enhancements to keep it fresh and competitive in the luxury sedan segment. These include:

A new Technology Package is available on all trim levels except the base model. This package adds a new Lexus Interface system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, split-screen function, customizable home screen, and over-the-air updates. It also adds a new SmartAccess Card Key that allows the driver to lock, unlock, and start the car using a credit card-sized device that can be stored in a wallet or a phone case. Additionally, it adds a new wireless charging pad that can charge compatible smartphones and other devices without the need for cables or cords. Finally, it adds a new digital rearview mirror that can switch between a conventional mirror and a camera view of the car's rear, providing a wider and clearer view of the surroundings.
A revised F Sport model now offers two sub-trims: F Sport Design and F Sport Handling. The F Sport Design sub-trim is available with all three engine options (more on that later), while the F Sport Handling sub-trim is only available with the V6 or the hybrid powertrain. The F Sport Handling sub-trim includes Sport+ and Custom drive modes, park assist sensors, performance brake pads, and adaptive dampers.
A new exterior color called Sonic Iridium is a metallic gray with a hint of blue.
Standard 18-inch alloy wheels with Vapor Chrome finish on the Luxury and Ultra Luxury trim levels.

What are the Trim Levels and Features?

The 2024 Lexus ES is available in four trim levels: base, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport. Each trim level offers different features and options to suit different tastes and budgets. Here is a brief overview of each trim level:

The base model comes well-equipped with features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-speaker sound system, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a suite of advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.
The Luxury trim adds features such as 18-inch wheels with Vapor Chrome finish (new for 2024), genuine leather upholstery, wood trim, ambient lighting, memory settings for the driver's seat and steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and an optional Technology Package (new for 2024).
The Ultra Luxury trim further adds features such as semi-aniline leather upholstery with quilted stitching (new for 2024), a power rear sunshade (new for 2024), a hands-free power trunk lid (new for 2024), a wood-and-leather steering wheel (new for 2024), a head-up display (new for 2024), and an optional Technology Package (new for 2024).
The F Sport trim is aimed at buyers who want a more sporty look and feel for their Lexus ES. It features a more aggressive front bumper with larger air intakes (new for 2024), a black mesh grille (new for 2024), black mirror caps (new for 2024), darkened chrome accents (new for 2024), 19-inch wheels with a black finish (new for 2024), sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers (optional on F Sport Design sub-trim; standard on F Sport Handling sub-trim), aluminum pedals and interior trim (standard on F Sport Handling sub-trim), sport seats with enhanced bolsters and contrast stitching (standard on F Sport Handling sub-trim), and F Sport badges inside and out. The F Sport trim also offers two sub-trims: F Sport Design (available with all three engine options) and F Sport Handling (available only with the V6 or the hybrid powertrain). The F Sport Handling sub-trim adds features such as Sport+ and Custom drive modes (new for 2024), park assist sensors (new for 2024), performance brake pads (new for 2024), and an optional Technology Package (new for 2024).

What are the Engine Options and Performance?

The 2024 Lexus ES offers three engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque (ES 250), a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque (ES 350), or a hybrid system that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 215 horsepower (ES 300h). All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission (except for the hybrid, which uses a continuously variable transmission), and all models are front-wheel drive (except for the ES 250, which offers all-wheel drive as an option).

The 2024 Lexus ES delivers smooth and quiet performance on the road, regardless of the engine choice. The four-cylinder engine provides adequate power for daily driving, while the V6 engine offers more punch for passing and merging. The hybrid system offers the best fuel economy of the bunch (43/44/44 mpg city/highway/combined) and seamless transitions between gas and electric power. The suspension is tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, easily absorbing bumps and road imperfections. The steering is light and responsive, while the brakes are strong and confident.

How is the Interior Design and Comfort?

The 2024 Lexus ES has a stylish, spacious interior that comfortably accommodates five passengers. The cabin is well-insulated from road and wind noise, creating a serene atmosphere. The materials are of high quality, especially on the higher trim levels that feature leather, wood, and metal accents. The seats are supportive and adjustable, with plenty of legroom and headroom in both rows. The trunk is also generous, with 13.9 cubic feet of space that can be expanded by folding down the rear seats.

The 2024 Lexus ES also has a modern and user-friendly infotainment system that features a new Lexus Interface system (optional on all trim levels except for the base model). This system features a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a split-screen function, a customizable home screen, and over-the-air updates. It also supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system can be controlled by touch, voice, or a touchpad on the center console. The Lexus ES also offers other tech features such as a digital key, a wireless charger, a digital rearview mirror, a head-up display, a 10-speaker or 17-speaker sound system, and a DVD player.

How is the Safety and Reliability?

The 2024 Lexus ES has yet to be tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but it is expected to perform well based on its previous ratings. The Lexus ES comes standard with advanced safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. It also offers optional features such as park assist sensors (new for 2024), performance brake pads (new for 2024), a surround-view camera system, and rear pedestrian detection.

The 2024 Lexus ES has not been rated by J.D. Power yet, but it is expected to have high reliability based on its previous ratings and its reputation as a Toyota product. The Lexus ES comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, an eight-year/100,000-mile hybrid component warranty, and complimentary maintenance for one year or 10,000 miles.

How Does It Compare with the Competition?

The 2024 Lexus ES competes with luxury sedans, such as the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6, the Cadillac CT5, and the Jaguar XF. The Lexus ES has some advantages over its rivals, such as its lower price point, outstanding fuel economy (especially on the hybrid model), spacious interior, smooth ride quality, and reliability. However, it also has some disadvantages, such as its lack of sportiness (even on the F Sport model), its sluggish acceleration (especially on the four-cylinder models), its lack of fold-down rear seats (except on the hybrid model), and its sleepy driving dynamics.

Is the 2024 Lexus ES Worth Buying?

The 2024 Lexus ES is worth buying if you are looking for a luxury sedan that offers a smooth and refined driving experience, along with a spacious and comfortable interior, reliable quality, and a reasonable price. The new Technology Package adds some modern and convenient features that make the ES even more appealing, while the F Sport model adds some flair for those who want a bit more excitement. The 2024 Lexus ES is a smooth sedan with a tech twist that can satisfy most luxury sedan buyers.