2003 Lexus ES Reviews

There’s a lot of attention paid to the rise of Chinese auto brands in Australia and their ever-increasing market share.Brands like BYD, Chery, GWM, MG and newer marques like Deepal, Geely, JAC, Leapmotor and Zeekr have collectively taken a bite out of the sales of some long-standing brands.But it’s not all doom and gloom for the more established, non-Chinese makes. In fact, a number of them are performing quite well on the sales charts so far this year.However, it’s not mainstream legacy brands that are on the up. In fact, a lot of the top-10 brands are treading water.With the exception of Fiat Professional, whose sales are up by 120 per cent this year, all of the other brands experiencing strong growth in 2025 are exotic, premium or semi-premium offerings.One of the semi-premium brands doing well in 2025 is Cupra. Volkswagen Group’s Spanish performance specialist has seen its overall sales shoot up by 35 per cent so far in 2025 after a slower 2024.While a couple of its models - the ageing Ateca SUV and the Leon small hatchback - have gone backwards on the sales charts, the striking Formentor SUV has increased by 54.8 per cent in 2025. At 469 sales so far, it’s not a massive number but it represents a big uptick for a newish name.The Born EV is also up this year by 24.2 per cent, while the only just arrived Tavascan electric SUV is expected to further boost Cupra’s sales thanks to keen pricing and sharp design. Facelifted versions of the Leon and Formentor arriving this year should only help Cupra’s upward trajectory.Mini is another semi-premium brand having an excellent 2025. The BMW-owned marque’s sales are up by 69.4 per cent so far (1394 versus 823 units). And it’s largely thanks to one model.The new-gen Countryman SUV has proven to be a massive hit, recording 553 sales which equates to a 369 per cent increase on Q1 last year. As well as enjoying positive media reviews, buyers have clearly warmed to the new Countryman’s more family-friendly dimensions, new tech and the option of petrol and fully-electric powertrains.Of course the Cooper hatch remains the brand’s top seller, with petrol and electric versions combining for a total of 634 sales, up 29.7 per cent.It might not be a premium brand in its US home market, but in Australia, Chevrolet takes a more upscale position as it only sells high-end, full-size pick-ups and sports cars.That strategy is clearly working because Chevrolet sales are up by 12.8 per cent so far in 2025, on the back of interest in the Corvette sports car. Z06 sales are up 250 per cent and the Stingray has increased by 50 per cent. The Silverado 1500 truck is the biggest seller with 627 sold in 2025, up by 14.4 per cent.Two of Australia’s most popular premium brands are also having a good year - Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.What’s interesting about Lexus is that its growth is mostly down to the compact LBX SUV. The little crossover has recorded a massive 353 per cent increase on its Q1 2024 tally with 598 sales.The LBX is easily outselling its slightly larger UX sibling and is just ahead of the aforementioned Cupra Forementor (469 sales) and Mini Countryman (553), but trailing the Audi Q3 (676) in the premium small SUV segment.The Toyota Prado-based GX large SUV is Lexus’ other solid performer with 285 sales.Mercedes is having an exceptional start to the year with a 31 per cent boost thanks to big sales increases on a number of its model lines.Key models having a good year include the E-Class (+223 per cent) and S-Class (+300 per cent) sedans, GLA (+139.2 per cent), GLC (+82.5 per cent) and GLS (+72.6 per cent) SUVs and EVs like the EQB (+270 per cent).Despite double-digit sales drops for most of its Range Rover models - Range Rover, Evoque and Velar - Land Rover has seen strong interest in the Defender (+61.2 per cent) and the Discovery Sport (+57 per cent) for a Q1 boost of 13 per cent.As is often the case in harsh economic times, the top end of town is sailing through unaffected. That is evident in sales of exotic brands in Australia, which are largely in positive territory.Rolls-Royce may have small volumes, but sales are up by 111 per cent this year, while sports car brands like Aston Martin (+34.1 per cent), Ferrari (+7.4 per cent), Lamborghini (+78.3 per cent) and McLaren (+100 per cent) are all well in front of the year prior.

What people mover costs a quarter of a million dollars? The Lexus LM 500h does and we tested it to see if it's the ultimate family car.

Lexus has revealed an all-new ES prototype at the Shanghai auto show, marking the first time the now eighth-generation sedan has been offered with the choice of a battery-electric powertrain.

Australia’s premium small SUV hybrid class is about to experience a shake-up with the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Junior.

Lexus has entered the fray with its new plug-in hybrid powertrain for its popular mid-size SUV, the NX. Will it prove to be a winning combination?

Lexus has announced some big upgrades for its flagship EV.The formerly entry-grade RZ 450e has been replaced by the 500e, which now offers a benchmark 280kW of power – an increase of 50kW on its predecessor thanks to retuned front- and rear-axle electric motors.A pacier headliner in the RZ 550e F Sport replaces the previously top-spec 450e Sports Luxury, delivering an additional 70kW for a new total output 300kW. It sprints from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the 500e.To simulate the experience of a petrol engine, Lexus has installed a virtual eight-speed manual transmission that incorporates artificial gear shifts and engine noises for the driver, similar to what is offered on a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or Kia EV6 GT.The updated all-wheel drive platform now welcomes a bigger 76.7kWh lithium-ion battery too, up from 71.4kWh on its predecessor. As a result, Lexus said the driving range has improved by 14 per cent to 500km under the WLTP cycle on the 500e. The 550e F Sport, meanwhile, tops out at 450km.Charging time is also down by up to 30 minutes, Lexus claims. The brand hasn’t outlined exact specifications yet, but the updated model is presumed to improve on the 150kW DC fast charging rate of its predecessor.On the 550e F Sport, Lexus has introduced steer-by-wire technology, which replaces the traditional mechanical steering unit for an electronic system.Lexus said it delivers 200 degrees of rotation on the new RZ, eliminating the need for a conventional steering wheel. The 550e F Sport adopts a yoke-style design instead.Additionally, the 550e F Sport adds sports suspension, a unique lower bumper, brake ducts, rear spoiler and 20-inch alloy wheels with aero covers.Inside, a dimmable, UV-resistant panoramic sunroof is now available. Lexus has improved cabin acoustics through additional sound-deadening materials and trims, which includes Lexus’ new synthetic suede fabric.Lexus Australia will confirm the local line-up, specifications and pricing for the updated RZ closer to its launch in its home market of Japan later this year.Pricing is expected to exceed the current RZ 450e Luxury’s entry price of $121,059, before on-road costs, which is $4,059 more than the incoming Cadillac Lyriq but $15,841 less than the larger BMW iX

Toyota Australia has announced that 524 LandCruiser Prados sold locally have been recalled due to an assembly fault when fitting the optional Electric Brake Controller.Its cross-platform twin, the Lexus GX550, has also been impacted, with 28 Australian examples affected by the recall.According to Toyota and Lexus an error in fitting instructions for the Electric Brake Controller, which is designed to synthesise the vehicle's brakes with a trailer’s brakes, the lower driver’s airbag (which was removed during the accessory fitment) may have been reinstalled using the incorrect torque.Toyota and Lexus said: “This may cause the bolts to loosen and the airbag may not deploy as designed in the event of a collision, which could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants.”The issue only impacts Prados with build dates of between June 24 2024 and October 3 2024, while only GX550s built between March 6 2024 and September 17 2024 have been impacted.Both brands will contact owners of affected vehicles to arrange an inspection of the Electric Brake Controller, and if required, complete the recall free of charge. This will take approximately one hour.LandCruiser Prado owners can check if their VIN number on the list of affected vehicles here, while GX550 owners can check their VIN numbers here.

Japanese automotive publication Bestcar has graced us with digital renders once again, which this time take shape as the next-generation Lexus LC.It’s the latest conceptualisation of the upcoming LC in line with Lexus’ new design language, and we have to say, it looks pretty mean.The two-door sports coupe has been imagined in the same silhouette as the current-generation model, albeit with more aggressive styling.That includes fresh LED headlight clusters, a dual-chamber front grille, a new bumper and multi-spoke black alloy wheels.At the rear, the Lexus badge has been replaced by ‘L-E-X-U-S’ branding, which accompanies a new LED taillight bar, a small lip spoiler and a new lower apron.The 2026 model is a part of a sports car rebirth by Lexus and its parent company Toyota, which are committing to reinstating and introducing new sporty nameplates in the face of electrification, such as the LFA-based Lexus LFR, LC and Toyota Celica.As one of those models, the LC will purportedly return as a hybridised amalgamation of the RC and LC as both cars are gradually phased out across global markets this year.Bestcar reported that the new LC will carry a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid motor, with a battery-electric version also expected to accompany it – though details on the latter remain under wraps for now.Other engine possibilities are said to be the 3.4-litre V6 twin-turbo borrowed from the full-sized Toyota Tundra pick-up or the smaller 2.4-litre turbo-petrol-hybrid engine from the Tacoma, which is more comparable in size to a HiLux.Toyota is currently developing super-efficient 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines that are compatible with hybrid systems as well as synthetic fuels, however, these appear to be off the table for the future LC.Either way, we will certainly be saying goodbye to the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 that currently powers both the RC and the LC.The LC still remains in on sale in Australia, with global production set to wrap up later this year. The Lexus RC was discontinued for Australia three years ago, but will still remain available in some markets for 2025 before it meets the same fate as the LC later this year.

The most economical car argument is still a valid one, despite the fact that oil prices have stabilised around the world.

Lexus has announced a second plug-in hybrid in its line-up.