'Surprised by the ride, stunned by the efficiency': Lexus delivers with its first electric sedan

Hybrid vs. EV comparison drive

'Lexus-like' ride quality shines in the electric model

Real-world efficiency of 7.3 km/kWh — about 40% above the official rating

Hybrid returns 20 km/L — highway stability stands out

Bigger body, yet visibility opens up

The Lexus All-New ES electric model drives on the road during a media test drive held Wednesday. [Lexus]

The 2.2-ton body glided as if on rails, and the speed climbed before you even noticed. Rather than unleashing all 347 horsepower at once, the car metered out its power precisely in response to the accelerator. Then came another moment of admiration: a real-world efficiency figure of 7.3 km/kWh.

Behind the wheel of the All-New ES — Lexus's first electric vehicle and an ambitious debut from the brand long synonymous with premium hybrids — this reporter covered a round trip of about 145 kilometers from Songpa-gu in Seoul to Chuncheon in Gangwon Province on Wednesday. The outbound leg of roughly 78 kilometers was driven in the ES 350h AWD, a hybrid all-wheel-drive model; the return leg of about 67 kilometers in the ES 500e, the all-electric AWD variant. The two share the same body, but their driving characters are noticeably different.

In terms of ride quality, the electric model surpassed the hybrid. Lexus entered the electric sedan market later than its rivals, which only heightened curiosity about how polished the driving experience would be. Any such doubts dissolved quickly once behind the wheel of the ES 500e.

The Lexus All-New ES electric model drives on the road during a media test drive held Wednesday. [Lexus]

The ES 500e places an electric motor on each axle for a combined output of 347 horsepower. Despite that power, acceleration is remarkably refined. Electric vehicles are generally prized for their instant throttle response, but not every EV delivers it this smoothly. Even with the accelerator pressed deep, power builds naturally rather than surging abruptly — the car moves without a single rough edge, like a well-oiled machine.

Stability was equally impressive. The ES 500e is equipped with Direct4, an all-wheel-drive system that continuously adjusts torque distribution between the front and rear axles. The body followed the driver's inputs faithfully through lane changes and curves alike. Despite weighing more than 2.2 tons, the car showed no sluggishness or excessive body roll when changing direction.

Lexus All-New ES test-drive vehicles are parked side by side at Floating Flow in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on Wednesday. The All-New ES was launched in both hybrid and fully electric variants. [Jung Kyung-su, The Korea Herald]

What stood out most was how distinctly Lexus the driving feel remained. Acceleration is smoother than in the hybrid, and the composed ride and cabin quietness at highway speeds carry over intact. The ability to adjust regenerative braking strength via paddle shifters behind the steering wheel was a welcome convenience. The power source has changed, but the sense of comfort behind the wheel has not — the impression that Lexus has successfully translated its signature driving character into an electric vehicle was hard to shake.

The efficiency figures were even more striking. The dashboard showed 7.3 km/kWh at the end of the drive — an impressive number even against compact and mid-size electric vehicles that prioritize efficiency. It exceeded the official combined rating of 5.1 to 5.3 km/kWh by roughly 40 percent, delivering well beyond expectations given the car's size and performance.

The dashboard of the Lexus All-New ES showing real-world efficiency after the test drive. The ES 500e averaged 7.3 km/kWh, while the ES 350h AWD averaged 20.0 km/L. [Jung Kyung-su, The Korea Herald]

AWD hybrid returns 20 km/L — the powertrain's strength shines on the highway

The hybrid all-wheel-drive ES 350h AWD delivered its own brand of Lexus polish. If anything, the comfort felt over a long drive came across as more familiar and settled in the hybrid than in the electric model.

The ES 350h pairs a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with a sixth-generation hybrid system for a combined output of 247 horsepower. It does not accelerate with the immediacy of an electric vehicle, but pressing the accelerator brings a weighty, progressive surge of power — the car builds speed calmly in response to the driver's inputs.

Its true character emerged on the highway. Cabin quietness held firm even as speeds climbed, and the body felt planted firmly to the road surface. The car felt so stable that the actual speed registered lower than the sensation of speed would suggest. The engine's occasional intervention, a characteristic of any hybrid, was barely intrusive.

The Lexus All-New ES 350e, the fully electric model, drives on the road during a media test drive held Wednesday. [Lexus]

The ride quality was equally impressive. Speed bumps were absorbed smoothly, and even hard braking produced no harsh body movement. Stopping power was ample, yet the impact transmitted to occupants felt noticeably cushioned.

Fuel economy delivered another pleasant surprise. The average came in at around 20 km/L, surpassing the official combined rating of 18.3 km/L — a notably high figure for an all-wheel-drive sedan stretching 5.14 meters and weighing close to 1.9 tons.

Longer than the G80, yet easy to drive — open sightlines and eye-catching design

One area of shared satisfaction across both models was the driver's field of vision. The new ES measures 5,140 mm in length and 1,920 mm in width — up 165 mm and 55 mm respectively from the previous generation — with a wheelbase stretched 80 mm to 2,950 mm. The body is 135 mm longer than the Genesis G80, yet sitting in the driver's seat, the sense of piloting a large car was barely perceptible.

Wide glass surfaces and a low instrument panel surround opened up the forward and lateral views. The car was comfortable enough to recommend even to drivers who have hesitated over large sedans because of their size. The body has grown, but the effort required behind the wheel has actually diminished.

The rear seat of the ES 350e VIP trim, unveiled at the Lexus All-New ES media test drive held Wednesday, featuring a rear comfort package with reclining, ottoman, ventilation and massage functions. [Lexus]

The exterior was more than capable of turning heads. The sharp front end and smoothly flowing body lines gave the car a refined look. Lexus's signature L-shaped turn signals — small but distinctive — added a touch of flair. Each exterior color had its own personality, giving the car a noticeably different character depending on the shade. The design was compelling enough to make you glance back after stepping out. One caveat: the sunroof covers only the front seats, so the cabin lacks the full open-air feel that a panoramic roof would provide.

The driver-assistance controls positioned to the right of the steering wheel were intuitive. Setting cruise control and adjusting the following distance were straightforward, and the lane-centering function operated reliably. The head-up display presented driving information clearly, reducing the need to glance down at the instrument cluster.

The interior centers on a 14-inch center display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Responsive Hidden Switch system — icons that appear only when a hand approaches — preserved a clean design while retaining the tactile feel of physical buttons. Wireless smartphone charging ran without noticeable heat buildup, another small but welcome detail.

The driver's seat and interior of the Lexus All-New ES, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch center display with physical buttons kept to a minimum. [Jung Kyung-su, The Korea Herald]

Digital usability, however, left room for improvement. Some menus on the center display responded sluggishly, and the iNavi-based navigation interface took time to get used to. The driver monitoring system, which checks whether the driver is watching the road, felt overly sensitive in its warnings.

Both front seats come with heated and ventilated functions, but massage is absent. The rear seats offer heating only, with no ventilation. Rear ventilation and massage, along with an ottoman for stretching out, are reserved for the top-spec VIP trim of the separate ES 350e model. For an electric sedan from a luxury brand priced in the 80 million won ($59,300) range, the convenience features fell short of expectations.

Pricing runs from 77 million to 84.9 million won for the ES 500e and from 75.9 million to 80.8 million won for the ES 350h AWD. The electric model offers a combined range of 415 to 435 kilometers on a single charge depending on trim, with support for rapid charging at up to 150 kilowatts.

The value Lexus emphasizes is "stress-free, comfortable travel." Over roughly 145 kilometers, the new ES made a compelling case that the brand is serious about delivering that philosophy not only in its hybrids but in its electric vehicles as well. The claim that the hybrid specialist's first electric sedan exceeded expectations proved entirely justified.

kwater@heraldcorp.com