2013 Lexus ES Gets The Corporate Mug

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The new Lexus corporate face will be appearing on the newest Lexus ES – a startling trend for a vehicle so conservative it makes Mitt Romney look like a chaps-wearing “ lifestyle” devotee.

A spy shot out of China shows a vehicle purported to the 2013 Lexus ES250 – a smaller displacement model similar to the world market GS250. The car’s interior is also said to look more like the GS, rather than the simple but elegant Camry-esque interior. The addition of a whole suite of infotainment features like Toyota’s Entune may be complex for a certain segment of ES drivers who are well into their “retired in Florida” years, and who rely on their grandchildren for tech support. A family friend in their 70’s recently opted for a Lexus LS460 rather than purchase a Lincoln MKT Ecoboost, as they found the tech features of the Lincoln distracting and hard to use. Imagine what a “Greatest Generation” tech backlash would look like.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • John John on Feb 22, 2012

    Is it just me or do all the 2010 and up cars grilles look like dying guppies? And please, stop calling them "aggressive".

    • Dima Dima on Feb 22, 2012

      Looks like it. This is all thanks in part to new pedestrian protection rule.

  • Wsn Wsn on Feb 23, 2012

    I really like the style. When the GS's pictures came out, I liked it but thought it's a bit too pricy for my situation and I would prefer a FWD (for the exact reasons J.B. stated). I will very likely buy this car, but not in the next year. I need to buy a Prius V first.

  • FJ60LandCruiser FJ60LandCruiser on Feb 23, 2012

    Some car companies can get away with a much more bulky front end compliant with pedestrian rules because they have masculine styling elements. Lexuses... Lexii? have always been effeminate in appearance, so slapping a butch front end on a questionably feminine body gives the automotive equivalent of PJ Harvey. Toymoco needs to restyle most of their cars to look less like rolling tampon dispensers. But since most Lexus buyers are too old/blind/don't care about styling or performance, I doubt that this will affect sales. But it won't draw people away from Audi, Merc, or BMW as Lexus wants it to.

  • Svenmeier Svenmeier on Feb 23, 2012

    What a terrible design. Utterly plain, bloated and a fatter CT200h, no wait, 2012 GS front fascia, tacked on. Absolutely horrible. In Europe Lexus isn't big for a number of reasons and design is probably one of those reasons. This ES car isn't sold here (if the Camry doesn't sell well here, don't bother bringing this over) although there are two last-generation ES for sale at a local car dealership in downtown Zurich. This dealership sells imported American cars or cars that are sold in the American market. I know the manager and he informed me that the people walking into the showroom show zero interest in a Lexus ES or any Lexus for that matter. In fact they have not managed to sell those ES for an entire year. And nobody seems to show interest in them either.

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