2019 Lexus ES: Our First In-Person Impressions (and 2019 ES Photos)

At a local launch event in Southern California, Lexus revealed the new 2019 ES. As the automaker’s best-selling non-SUV, the ES is hugely important to the brand, and the outgoing car needed an update. Here’s what we learned at the event–and don’t miss our full 2019 Lexus ES First Look right here.

The new platform allows the ES’ hoodline to sit 2 inches lower than the outgoing model, as well as for the rear track to be 2 inches wider, and the front track to be 1.5 inches wider.

Lexus designers are referring to the exterior styling as following that of the popular “four-door coupe” with its fast roofline. However, there is surprisingly easy ingress and egress for a 6-footer into the rear seat. In fact, the ES rear seat has more legroom than that of Lexus LS flagship–although to be fair, that’s not a huge achievement, as that is one of the 2018 LS’ shortcomings.

The manufacturing processes have also been updated, said Susan Elkington, plant manager for Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, factory that builds the ES 350 as well as the Toyota Camry and Avalon.

The ES continues to run on a separate line and has its own paint shop from the Toyota models, but it now features laser screw welding instead of traditional welds, Elkington said. Lexus also has doubled the amount of body-bond adhesive to improve body panel stiffness while reducing weight. The hood and fenders are made from aluminum. Specially trained line workers also hand stitch the leather for the steering wheels, door panels, seats, and shift knobs.

Get the full story on the 2019 Lexus ES, which offers a 302-hp V-6 and a 215-hp four-cylinder hybrid as well as a new F Sport model, right here.

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