2022 Lexus ES
- Choice of powertrains, including hybrid
- Long list of standard amenities
- Updated technology
- Excellent suite of safety features
- Pricing starts at $40,800 (plus $1,075 destination) | Price yours
- On sale now | See Lexus ES models for sale near you
If dictionaries relied on visuals to convey meanings, the entry for “luxury car” would simply picture a 2022 Lexus ES. Lexus’ long-running model epitomizes what it means to be a luxury car, even in a time when many shoppers’ definition of a luxury car is a crossover SUV, not a traditional sedan.
Yet for buyers still seeking the experience that can only be had in a sleek executive sedan – and there are still many such buyers out there – no other car can match the Lexus ES’ blend of premium amenities, technology, advanced safety features, and overall value. It’s been this way for years. In fact, this is the fourth year in a row the Lexus ES has been crowned the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy among luxury cars.
It Begins With Excellent Value
Contrary to most every other luxury car, the Lexus ES’ shining qualities begin with remarkable value. Yes, value and luxury need not be mutually exclusive. Case in point, the Lexus ES has a starting price of $40,800. That is actually several thousand dollars below the average transaction price of a new vehicle, which recently crested $45,000 for the first time ever.
Compared to just the luxury vehicles, the difference is even starker, with that segment’s figure over $60,000. Yet even in its least-expensive form, the 2022 Lexus ES comes filled with features.
Choice of Powertrains
At that $40,800 starting price, you can get either a new Lexus ES with standard all-wheel drive and a 4-cylinder engine, or a 300-plus-horsepower V6 and front-wheel drive. The former is a good choice for drivers who regularly contend with harsher winter weather and its ensuing slick roads, while the latter endows the Lexus with what is still one of the smoothest and surprisingly potent V6 engines around.
Additionally, a third powertrain option is available in the Lexus ES Hybrid, which starts at a very reasonable $41,900. Its combination of a 4-cylinder engine and electric motor return a combined 44 mpg. That only further elevates the value proposition of this Lexus luxury car as you sail by gas stations and their rising prices at the pump.
The Lexus ES has always prioritized comfort and quiet road manners over razor-sharp handling and athletic moves, but not all is lost if you like the idea of a Lexus ES with a little more spice. For those buyers, there are F Sport models that feature stiffer suspensions, bolstered seats, and more aggressive styling bits.
For 2022, even hybrid variants can be had with the F Sport treatment. New this year, additional zest can be had via the Dynamic Handling Package, which adds features like Sport+ and custom drive modes, plus an adaptive suspension.
Safety and Technology, Standard
When spending big bucks on a luxury vehicle, you might think it would come loaded with all the latest safety features and technology. That isn’t always the case, but it sure is with the Lexus ES.
Starting with the safety side of things, standard on every 2022 Lexus ES is a robust suite called Lexus Safety System+ 2.5. It bundles active safety and driver-assist features such as forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and even blind-spot monitoring. New this year is Intersection Turning Assist, which can recognize an oncoming car when you’re making a left-hand turn or a pedestrian when making a right-hand turn, and activate the car’s pre-collision mitigation systems if needed.
This year the Lexus’ tech has also gotten an update. The standard 8-inch or optional 12.3-inch infotainment screen has been moved forward and can now be controlled by touch, rectifying at least one nit by users not fond of the previous interface that was reliant on a remote touchpad.
Of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, as does Amazon Alexa integration. In addition to the larger infotainment screen, other optional amenities include a 10.2-inch head-up display and a great-sounding Mark Levinson premium audio system with 1,800 watts pumping through 17 speakers. For purists, the Lexus ES is the increasingly rare car that still offers a CD player in addition to all the latest streaming options. What a time to be alive.
A Car for the Ages
No matter what powers your Lexus ES or which trim you go with, you can be confident that you’ll be getting a complete package that you and your family and friends can enjoy for years to come.
Its roomy interior and supple road manners will bring confidence and assurance to every trip, whether it’s around town or across the country. And as a benchmark for both reliability and high resale value, the Lexus ES is assured to have your back for the long haul.
Photo Tour: 2022 Lexus ES
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