The 2022 Lexus ES facelift has arrived in Malaysia. It was first unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2021 in April this year. The premium sedan gets a light touch-up in the appearance, enhanced comfort, improved safety and a new F Sport variant which lend a sportier and more striking look to the already beautiful luxury sedan. This is the first time the ES is available here in F Sport trim.
As for the enhancements, the sedan comes with the imposing spindle grille, now in a mesh pattern composed of interlocking L-shaped components in a dark metallic finish.
The cut-outs at either side of the front fascia also sport the same black mesh but its openings are wider than the ES 250 Premium and Luxury. To complement the new grille, the ultra-compact LED headlamps have daytime running lights — in a new design — that adds a hint of illumination to its piercing gaze. Other exclusive exterior fittings include a rear spoiler and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in a Dark Premium Metallic finish.
Two new shades of greys have been added to the ES colour palette — the cool Sonic Iridium and Sonic Chrome — bringing the options up to eight for the ES 250 Premium and Luxury.
On the other hand, the new Heat Blue Contrast Layering and White Nova Glass Flake hues are exclusive to the F Sport, but it can also be ordered in the two new greys or in Graphite Black Glass Flake and Red Mica Crystal Shine.
The 2022 Lexus ES range starts with the Premium at RM295,663. The ES 250 Luxury goes for RM329,910, while the F Sport you see here goes for RM345,134. Prices are on-the-road excluding insurance, but with the 50% sales tax exemption for CBU imported cars, valid till the end of this year.
“As one of the most accomplished executive sedans on the road, the Lexus ES 250 elicits admiration for its impeccable engineering and styling that satisfies any discerning taste,” said Lexus Malaysia president Ravindran K.
“Combined with the Lexus attention to detail and constant quest for excellence, the improvements to the updated model will invariably retain the Lexus ES 250 as the choice sedan to arrive in.”
The ES is, along with the flagship LS, is the most long-standing Lexus nameplate, having been one of the two models that were launched together with the brand in 1989. It is also Lexus’ best-selling model, with over 2.65 million units sold in some 80 countries so far. Even in the age of the SUV, the ES remains a core model for the brand.
Lexus has improved on the infotainment system, with ease of use being the main goal. No full-on Tazuna-concept or the ES, but the full colour 12.3-inch display is now a touchscreen (Luxury and F Sport, 8.0-inch for Premium, no change in size), and to welcome fingers, it’s now 112 mm closer to the occupants and angled five degrees towards the driver.
The system – which has navigation for the Luxury and F Sport – can also be controlled with the Remote Touch Pad next to the gear lever. All USB ports on the ES are now of the Type C variety, which is in line with the latest devices.
There are more unique items for the F Sport. The package includes sports seats; a steering wheel with perforated leather instead of wood trim, red stitching and F Sport logo; a matching shift knob with dimpled leather (red stitching on the boot); plus, aluminium pedals. The analogue clock next to the touchscreen has a different dial too – looks like carbon print for afar, but it’s actually L-shaped graphics.
