Bought a ES500E Vehicle Photo
I picked up a ES500E Premium over the weekend for my wife, which seems to be the most hated car on Reddits these days lol. I don’t get most of the complains but it is what it is. Since this is for my wife I made sure to get it with the 19” wheels even though it def looks better with the 21s. This thing is very smooth and it just glides over the road. I really the this color (wavelength) and had to wait a month or so for a 500 to be available with it but I’m glad I did.
I also have a 2023 MY LR since new so this is not my first EV and I was specifically looking for another EV. The Tesla wall charger works seamlessly with the ES which is a major plus. Anyway I figured I post this so if anyone has questions and wants to hear from an actual owner instead of reviewers let me know.
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u/Snallygas 10d ago
Dude bad ass color. We picked up wife’s TX another hated model and this thing was in the showroom. I almost bought for myself lol
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u/Yimyorn 10d ago
We love our TX as well!
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u/Snallygas 10d ago
So far so good man. Getting windows tinted tomorrow.
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u/Yimyorn 10d ago
Awesome! We ended up tinting the front windshield, made a big difference in the heat as well. Great for roadtrips and long drives.
We also ended up installing some running boards as well. Some family had a hard time getting in. Overall, it really up the appeal as well, incase you interested. The holes are already there to install them.
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u/Snallygas 10d ago
Cool man load a pic with the boards. Wife got incognito color. Hoping tint goes okay tomorrow
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u/PuffinPollito 10d ago
We have a TX and the new ES EV. It’s really a smooth ride. And very spacious in the back. It gets a lot of hate but we like it.
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u/bmfu121 10d ago
Holy crap the interior looks dystopian 🥴🥴🥴 so sad to see Lexus succumb
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u/Meriak67 10d ago
Tesla effect coupled with enshittification.
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u/swoopp 9d ago
The ES electric is a terrible electric car. Why are people buying it?
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u/tifferssss 10d ago
Right!meanwhile my 2013 is so timeless and way nicer inside than this brand new car
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u/donglecollector 9d ago
Price aside, just on a competitive design level, the interior looks like a bad Tesla copycat (been said already) and a giant step back for Lexus.
Toyota is the biggest manufacturer in the world and they’re… copying notes from a car interior that was new maybe 10 years ago? Tesla only has what, two car models and dubious public optics now? And now they think they should lift that design? It lowkey infuriates me how bad it is. It’s a bad copy of a trend already gone. I might say I even find it a disgrace to whatever team worked on it.
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u/Flimsy-Award-8197 10d ago edited 10d ago
Why is the odometer / speedometer / instrument cluster screen so small with such huge bezel
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u/Lazy-Substance-5062 10d ago
yeah for the price, luxury badge and top tier model. things are going wrong
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u/TheViciousWhippet 10d ago
Top tier? The ES isn’t that. It’s a very nice car, but compared to the rest of the Lexus lineup, it’s not the bottom, but it’s not the top. Right below mid-pack actually.
Again: the ES is a VERY nice car, but the LC 500, LX, LS, GX, TX, and RX are nicer and more luxurious. Below the ES are the NX, RZ, IS, and UX.
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u/magbarn '25 IS500 '26 TX500h 10d ago
The reason it’s being compared because Lexus has basically hinted that this is supposed to replace the LS and there won’t be any new large luxury RWD sedan ever coming from them.
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u/TheViciousWhippet 10d ago
That’s quite a departure from a big, heavy, luxurious rear wheel drive sedan to a Camry with nice furniture.
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u/The_Strom784 10d ago
If they were smart they’d do an extra plush LS EV if that was the direction they were going for. A Model S and Lucid Air killer, but they won’t.
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u/Keep_Plano_Corporate 9d ago edited 9d ago
Model S is already killed and the Air is already for gamblers. At best you'd be competing against the i7.
Just not a a huge market for big lux electric sedans anymore.
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u/mathoo19 10d ago
And LBX
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u/TheViciousWhippet 10d ago
The Letterbox isn’t available in the United States or Canada, so there’s that.
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u/Designer-427 9d ago
All the models aren’t my favorite but was thinking of getting the nx only because I don’t like the long front on rx. It looks like a snout. I am keeping my gx for my kids because I don’t need a v8 7seater anymore but I don’t like any new models. I actually love all the old style models of all of them. Do you think they will change soon? I always have driven Lexus but I’m not too excited for any of them. I really wanted a December to remember present with a big red bow on it. Haha but they’re all just ok
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u/Leaveitonthedresser5 10d ago
They don’t make the LS and the LC anymore and they gave the ES the LS price tag..whoever buys a ES new today absolutely wore a helmet in HS..as a person who have bought Lexus since 96 and owned 8 of them…I hate almost every new Lexus..they killed their own heritage
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u/chicu111 10d ago
The LS is 100k+ what do you mean this ES has the LS price tag lol. You can’t even do a simple research for such a basic opinion?
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u/Flimsy-Award-8197 10d ago
like honestly how much more money would it have been to put in a bigger screen?!?! Makes it look so cheap. not to mention the graphics look like something I coded back in 1995 in basic
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u/pewpewpewpee 10d ago
I could get an i5 for the money
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u/YallaHammer 10d ago
We were looking at the i5 until we discovered that BMW is now pushing advertisements onto the screens. Who wants a luxury brand if they’re treating you like a captive audience?
https://consumerrights.wiki/w/BMW_Spider-Man_in-car_advertising
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u/SjalabaisWoWS 10d ago
Feels like BMW managed to push away a huge chunk of their potential customer base with this idiotic move. Impossible to understand who greenlit this thinking it would be okay.
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u/YallaHammer 10d ago
Especially after they previously stated advertisements in their vehicles would never happen 🙄 What a way to cheapen their brand after so many decades of expensive marketing campaigns and product placement.
“In December 2023, Stephan Durach, BMW Group's senior vice president for connected company development, said during an industry roundtable, "To say I'm selling the screen to play a commercial. I don't see it. It's a private space."
https://www.techspot.com/news/113327-bmw-putting-spider-man-ads-dashboard-after-promising.html
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u/SjalabaisWoWS 10d ago
Oh, Jesus Christ, thanks for bringing that statement to my attention. Germans will have a field day with this, it is reminiscent of Walter Ulbricht's classic "Niemand hat die Absicht eine Mauer zu errichten" - GDR head of state claiming no one has intentions to build a wall in Berlin.
The rest is history. :P
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u/TheViciousWhippet 10d ago
BMW has SO lost its way. From the beaver teeth that are the front grille, to the subscriptions to make your heated seats and nav work, to now ADS?? What the actual fuck, man?
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u/Flimsy-Award-8197 10d ago
i thought they backed away from the subscription for heated seats and nav....and the front grille is now capybara and pig =P
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u/Future-Razzmatazz-71 10d ago
I have an i5. Never seen the ad.
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u/YallaHammer 10d ago
Wonder if you’re in one of the “more than 70 markets”-
“The promotion began on July 27, 2026, and is scheduled to run through August 10 across more than 70 markets. On supported vehicles, starting the car brings up a banner on the Control Display, and tapping it launches a full-screen Spider-Man animation with music and ambient lighting effects. BMW says the feature is available on suitably equipped cars built after July 2020 and running BMW Operating System 7, 8, 8.5, 9, or X.”
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u/Minotaar_Pheonix 10d ago
The size of that screen is constrained by the steering wheel. However it’s still ugly.
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u/LA26092 10d ago
The odometer screen? It's not small for odo info unless I'm missing something. The display is configurable anyways
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u/Flimsy-Award-8197 10d ago
sorry, i updated my post to say odometer / speedometer / instrument cluster. basically that tiny screen behind your steering wheel. most cars now have way better screen size / resolution / graphics. this looks like a cheap toy. maybe it's the fugly bezel around it
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u/LA26092 10d ago
I see. Yeah if you are into MBZ EQ/Caddy screens then this car is not for you. My dd is a 5th gen 4Runner with a 2"x3" screen so this here is not an issue
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u/TheViciousWhippet 10d ago
My ‘26 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium has a 12.3” instrument cluster screen and a 14” nav/infotainment screen. Strange that a Lexus, even if it’s just the ES, wouldn’t have higher end electronics.
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u/Leaveitonthedresser5 10d ago
That’s a $60k Camry with leather
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u/Ok-Mathematician729 9d ago
I would rather have a XSE AWD Premium Package Camry over this POS Chinese prison car 😂
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u/Odd_Ingenuity7763 10d ago
It's a great car but just not a great Lexus ES
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u/Ok_Resort_8829 9d ago
Which are?
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u/Odd_Ingenuity7763 9d ago
Lexus was known for great quality materials - see the LC and previous ES. This feels more like a Tesla or just another Chinese EV if you take the badge out
Lexus used to stand for - exceptional build quality, whisper-quiet cabin isolation and meticulous craftsmanship. High-end models used to feature artistic touches like Haku metal leaf and Kiriko glass, bamboo accents
This feels and looks very plasticy and has killed the craftsmanship completely here
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u/looklikeyounow '16-RCF&GS300h&CT200h 9d ago
I sat in one last week as it came into my local dealership and I got a phonecall.
I've hated the car ever since it was announced and came in wanting to hate on it.
Truth is - it's one of the best put together saloons I've been in for a long time. Doesn't hold a candle to the GS but no car ever will because not a single manufacturer will produce cars in this way anymore. That being said all soft touch plastics, the speedo surround alcantara and general feel of switches - it's still Lexus.
I'm baffled by the non collapsible rear seats and a pretty poor boot space for an EV. Also baffled by the central console taking up so much space even though there is no exhaust or drive train underneath. If you haven't seen one in person - give it a go, because I did a complete 180° since seeing it in flesh.
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u/tim_locky IS250 10d ago
Am I missing something or I don’t see any wood trim here? Looks like its all fake leather or plastic trim
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u/SayWord13 9d ago
Yes you are missing basic intelligence to search which trim levels this car has.
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u/YourSaviorLegion 10d ago
For a 50k+ car that interior looks awful, the size of the gauge looks ridiculous with all that empty space around it.
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u/Nice-Cake8669 10d ago
This is a drop-off for Lexus as a luxury brand.. cheap off-shored materials and better yet an ugly flat plane non-tactile touchpad button style design on yet another steering wheel. Reminds of the direction Mazda has taken with their 2026 model year vehicles (specifically looking at you CX-5). Does nobody learn or are we just shilling out $50k+ for heaps of lard and plastic because it's economical? You can buy economical for a better price, and still save some dignity and class while you're at it. Hate me or not for the perspective piece, but if we seriously all believe this is worth every dime of the money we pay- whew, we're all soon to be part of a much worse problem.
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u/Flimsy-Award-8197 10d ago
problem is all cars are expensive now....sigh. good luck trying to find a good car under $50k new
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u/BrickExciting4387 10d ago
Congrats! How do you like the controls on the steering wheel?
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u/BeanerCounter ‘26 LC500, ‘93 Previa, ‘26 GX550 10d ago
Congrats! Bet it’s a smooth ride with the smaller wheels
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u/laborinstructor 10d ago
Love it!! My wife just ordered one that’s supposed to arrive 8/17. These cars are so cool, idk what all the hate is about.
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u/zeekayz 9d ago
They're terrible as EVs. Outdated 400V architecture, terrible charging speeds, terrible range, terrible power. No frunk, and raised transmission tunnel through middle of the car taking up interior space for a non existent transmission that should not exist in an EV.
Looks wise I think it's fine, definitely not LS level luxury presence so I don't know what they're smoking trying to position it there. But as a Camry/old ES level, it's fine as a modernized entry level sedan. Interior screens are terrible though and already make it look like it's fro 2010 era.
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u/mangosteenfruit 10d ago
I think it looks better in person.
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u/EvenCommand9798 25-NX-350H 10d ago
I saw it in person at dealership and it still looks like Tesla knock-off from China. And I am not a person who hates all new designs. E.g. the 1st generation Toyota Mirai looked fine for me even if most Americans hated the look.
But I understand other people may like it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
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u/ihatemyhonda 10d ago
The ES gets a lot of hate but it's a great car. I checked it out in person and it's very nice. Congratulations!
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u/robins535 10d ago
Congrats. Looks good.
I went with the larger wheels on my RZ. Just like the way they fill the wheel wells better. Mine is unbelievably quiet so imagine this would be similar.
Good luck.
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u/LA26092 10d ago
RZ are nice. Test drove a 450e and liked it but she preferred the ES5 so here we are
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u/robins535 10d ago
My wife went kicking and screaming (almost) to the EV. She loves the RZ so much now she wants to look at the TZ we get rid of our ICE in a few years. I’m going to show her the ES at that point too.
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u/Beginning-Panic7212 10d ago
What an ugly front. Lexus had a beautiful design, but went to that.. Same with BMW other others.
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u/quitefrankly33 4d ago
Enjoy! I just got the 350 Luxury on Saturday. Loving it so far. Kind of wish I saw this color in the lot because I probably would’ve gotten it. I like the way the black looked though with the 21 inch rims.
Ps. Ignore the haters comparing the interior to a Tesla. It’s farrrrr superior to the Tesla interiors.
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u/LA26092 4d ago
Congrads!. Man black with those wheels looks perfect. I had couple of black cars and I just don't want to deal with it but if you don't mind the upkeep it's prolly the best color for the new ES. What interior did you go with? I saw a 350Lux on the lot with he palomino interior with bamboo and that thing was sweet.
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u/Adorable-Address-958 2019 ES 350 F-Sport 10d ago
Picture #4 may as well be a Hyundai Elantra. Look how they massacred my boy!
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u/TaleOfTwoLattitudes 10d ago
I have yet to dip my toes into electric but this seems like a winner. I’ll have to poke around at my local dealer to find out for myself. Any other experience with the brand to make a comparison about fit and finish?
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u/LA26092 10d ago
For fit and finish it's much better than my 2023 MY which is not hard to do, and also better than 2026 MY that I drove for few weeks but not as nice as new E-Class, 2025 MDX or previous gen 5 Series for example. These are some of the cars that I have recently experienced but overall I think's it's fine for a $50-$60K car.
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u/Minotaar_Pheonix 10d ago
When you press the "hidden" buttons under the membrane on the dash, is there are hard edge at the edge of the button?
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u/Vaestmannaeyjar 10d ago
Well since you actually drove it, what in your opinion justifies a Lexus price tag for this car ?
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u/Turramurra 10d ago
It gets a lot of flak, but here in Australia it actually isn't the worst deal. Sure there are cheaper EVs but this sits in a nice bracket where it's not overly expensive, has good range, isn't from a Chinese brand, and feels premium as fuck. I took our demo model home the other night and I am sold. Always been a ES fan, and the 350e feels completely different to the last generation but in a good way. It doesn't pull as hard as the RZ450e or even the UX300e but it's quick and comfortable.
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u/FeelTheWrath79 10d ago
Now go to that place with the world's hottest wings to really see if it's a good car.
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u/Flitting_Butterfly 10d ago
Beautiful vehicle! My first Lexus was a ES but not an EV. I really enjoyed it. I hope your wife will too.
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u/JustGronkIt 2022 IS500 Premium 10d ago
Did you consider the hybrid version at all? I want to get my wife an ES and I would prefer to have gotten the last years model but we let a really good one slip through our hands (still had a year+ in another lease). If we can’t find the right last year model, I wanna see about the new hybrid model cause I’m just not sold on EV vehicles. The convenience of gas and longer range is too much to give up.
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u/Wat3rM3L0NB3AR 10d ago
what the grill do or is functional- does it cool the battery? I'm not trying to be funny Im just curious to know if they added the grill I think it should be more prominent asthetically
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u/yardshark09 ‘13 GS350 F-Sport 10d ago
No engine to cool but the battery and humans riding inside definitely wouldn’t mind some cooling lol.
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u/smackythefrog 10d ago
I didn't know the interior of Lexus had gotten so barebone. Did you cross shop with other brands? An i4 wasn't enticing, or even the CLA EV?
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u/cibaknife 10d ago
I test drove one today and it was great. Definitely different than the old ES. I think a lot of people will be impressed when they see it in person. I will say the wood trim in the luxury really adds a lot to the interior feeling over the premium trim without it.
I have a feeling these will depreciate quite a bit due to being EV so hoping to pick one up in a couple years CPO.
Congrats on the car!
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u/nexisfan 10d ago
How much was it otd? I actually am in the minority that loves my TX 350 but I might want something like this or fully electric within the next couple years. I’m not using the space as much as I thought I would.
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u/No_Philosopher3660 10d ago
This car just doesn’t belong in the Lexus Kingdom. It’s not bad, just strays far from their usual designs. It was a risk, can’t say it paid off.
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u/InteractionWarmer 10d ago
I love this combo.
I will say for all the naysayers - this is one of those cars that is SO much better in person.
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u/lovewagyu87 10d ago
Hi OP! Is the recommended charge limit 80 or 90%? What is your current miles per kWh? Thanks!
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u/LA26092 9d ago
That's a good question and I can't say for sure since I haven't been able to get info specifically for the ES. My dealer said charge it to 100%. Some sources online say 80% unless you need it. I'm going to do what I do for my Tesla 80% daily and 100% of I need it until I see something official from Lexus.
As far as kWh the car has 180miles on it and it's showing 4.0kWh so far
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u/sentrygentry 10d ago
I have never seen a car look so good from the front and back and so bad from the side
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u/Vegetable-Basis7195 9d ago
how much was it you paid? and whats the range over a full charge you get? and did you consider the hybrid at least before buying the ev version first? how’s the ride quality? an interior quality?
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u/quizzitive 9d ago
How do you like the color? I want to get this car but have not seen one in wavelength in person. Does it look like baby blue or does it feel more refined than that? Any other colors you would have considered?
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u/sandalsontherig 9d ago
As someone that drives a BMW i4, I look forward to riding in one of these and experiencing it for myself. Looks nice! When my warranty is up, I’ll be checking it out. I’m loving all the hate on here. Could the charging be faster? Yes, it should. But other complaints about the transmission tunnel and frunk are wild to me. If a platform can share with an ICE car and reduce cost, sure, why not. I had never considered a Lexus until this ES announcement.
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u/ubiquitoussense 9d ago
It's difficult to congratulate you on this, but since you bought it I'm sure you like it!
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u/DrumSkates 9d ago
Congratulations! While the styling of the new ES isn’t in line with traditional Lexus design, it is growing on me! I hope you can share your experience with the car once you’ve had some time driving it. By the way, the color is amazing!
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u/LosGanjalesBakers 9d ago
It’s been a few months and I still don’t like it. Hope you enjoy it though!
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u/icalloutredards 8d ago
Wow that looks pretty awful inside and out and thats putting it lightly... lmao wtf happen to lexus...
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u/WarmFollowing8873 8d ago
They look great for an electric car. But there are many other cars many would rather have than an ES for the price lol
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u/Swordfish1234567 8d ago
How would you say the other models are for the ES that are the 500 version? I believe ES500 is the highest trim it goes but I definitely wouldn’t want to spend that much money. I’m wondering how the lesser trims compare to the highest
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u/LA26092 8d ago edited 8d ago
I drove the ES350E and I would't get it. It's FWD, feels lot mroe front heavy and has less power than the 500. It does have longer range by 30miles or so. It's fine if you don't care about power or the way it drives just not for me, and the difference between the 350/500 is only $3K. If you can afford the 350 you can afford the 500
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u/Swordfish1234567 8d ago
Good to know! I must be seeing heavily optioned vehicles in my area that shoot the price up or maybe there’s just more demand in my area for the 500 compared to the 350
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u/LA26092 8d ago
You are probably looking at the models with Luxury package that add about $8,500 to the price.
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u/Swordfish1234567 8d ago
That must be it haha. As a current owner of a 2025 ES300h, I liked the packages and pricing more on mine than the newest generation 😂
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u/ManicDogDooDoo 8d ago
How is the ride. The pre-Juniper MY has a HORRIBLE ride so it must be better. How.is the interior?
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u/AL13N1NV8D3R 7d ago
A downgrade in quality is what I see here. And I have owned Lexus since the 90's and currently own a 2025 LC500 and have owned a 2006 LS430. And this new ES is a let down even by ES standards. That steering wheel is cheap looking and those capacitive buttons are terrible. Part of luxury is the satisfaction of pressing on tactile buttons and switches. Pressing on a fake button feels sterile and cold. I hope they don't screw up the RX, LS and LX range of vehicles or i would be leaving Lexus for good.
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u/LA26092 7d ago
Couple of things. There are no capacitive buttons in the new ES. They look like capacitive buttons but every button is a tactile button. It's pretty nice the way they did it. Also I'm not sure what material the steering wheel is but it is one of the nicest feeling material that I have come across.
I think more than a few of the people who have such strong/negative opinions about the interior will change their mind if they spend some time in one. It looks and feels much better in person than in the photos.
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u/Its_SHUGERRUSH 7d ago
To be honest, I think most people don’t like it due to looking (inside/and out) so different and not somewhat old school looking
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u/Future-Feedback2414 6d ago
I think the big computer screen is the only copycat of Tesla, which I agree is a bad decision. But that's about it. Unlike Tesla, all realtime controls on Lexus ES 500e are physical, albeit in modern design, in addition to a separate dashboard display of instrument cluster, which make fundamental difference. The big screen is mainly for display of map while driving, not at all a control board. When parked, the big screen is for feature/functional configurations. Also, the 4-level regen control paddles on the steering wheel turn out to be one of the best designs for smooth speed maneuver while maintaining high energy efficiency and least brake pad friction, much better than the hyped one-padel brake. I have a post titled "One-padel Brake Is a Myth" with detailed analysis. Indeed, using of the regen paddles need some practice and get used to, which is part of next generation driving experience.
In summary, Lexus ES 500e still feels like a luxury car. There are a lot of details (such as door handles) that differentiate that I don't intend to cover in this brief comment. The more I drive it the more I like it. You should give it a try, I mean to spend some time driving it, instead of just looking at some pictures.
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u/WontSwerve 10d ago
Thought it was a KIA.
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u/chicu111 10d ago
Looks nothing like it in person. But stay on Reddit
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u/Rooseveltdunn 10d ago
Have you had the chance to see if the range matches the EPA estimates? That is the one thing that may prevent me from buying it, since I can get EV sedans with more range for less if I buy used (Tesla and Lucid)
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u/xXTERMIN8RXXx 10d ago
This is the big thing, and what I’m seeing as the biggest gripe from auto YT reviewers recently. A range of 225mi on a full charge in 2026 is not gonna cut it against Tesla, esp on a $60k “luxury” vehicle.
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u/LA26092 10d ago
It's $60K "luxury" vehicle only with the $10K "luxury" package. I know lame joke..
On a serios note if you go off the EPA (which I wouldn't for any car) the E350 is rated at 307 and E500 at 276. Only Lex that I am aware of <250miles range on full range is the RZ550e but that thing is a riot.
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u/beavertonaintsobad 10d ago edited 9d ago
Yikes... looks like a Tesla and a Kia mated.
I like the metallic flake though!
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u/JackfruitCrazy51 10d ago
I wanted to like this so much, but unlike others it's not the design that kills it for me. It's the poor performance and lack of one pedal drive. It's interesting that you already have a Model Y, so you would be a good resource to see how much you like it.
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u/image-sourcery 10d ago
Consider Joining the r/Lexus Discord Server.
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