2021 Lexus ES AWD F-Sport – Luxurious Business Sedan. 2021 Lexus ES AWD F-Sport – Drive, Interior and Exterior. Please Consider Subscribing.
0:00 Interior and Exterior
1:30 Facts and Figures
2:42 Drive
The 2021 Lexus ES 250 AWD is the first all-wheel drive model for the ES series bringing with it the increased confidence in inclement weather. From snow to rainy days or even the off-chance gravel road, drivers can be assured the ES AWD will help keep all four tires grounded – meaning more points of contact with the ground with the ability to help maintain traction on the back tires around turns.
Sending torque to all four wheels, the 2.5-liter L4 engine powers through conditions when traction is low to allow better acceleration with less tire slip. The improved traction of the 2021 ES AWD gives the vehicle the ability to accelerate from rest better with 203 horsepower and an estimated fuel rating of 28 combined MPG, better than other gas models in the ES family.
Dynamic Torque Control AWD can provide effective traction for inclement and slippery weather while minimizing AWD’s typical drag on fuel economy. The system can direct up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels, in response to acceleration from a start or slippage at the front wheels.
When AWD isn’t needed, the electromagnetic controlled coupling on the rear drive axle can disengage the propeller shaft to help prioritize fuel efficiency. The AWD is designed to re-engage in an instant, when needed, and its operation is transparent to the driver and passengers.
The addition of AWD does not affect legroom, trunk room, ride comfort, cabin quietness or vehicle agility. Inside, the car has the same rear seat hip point height as the FWD ES model for gas and hybrid.
The suspension tuning, wheels, and tires differentiating the ES model grades carry over to the AWD versions. That means, for example, the ES F SPORT grade features the same sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels in both FWD and AWD versions.
The GA-K chassis is an exceptionally rigid front-wheel drive chassis made from several grades of high-strength steel. From the addition of more than double laser screw welds from the previous generation and laser screw welding, a construction method shared with the LS sedan, makes for a truly robust structure. Additional measures are used to improve front-end stiffness, including a strut tower brace, multiple reinforcement panels for the strut towers themselves, and new radiator support braces.
The suspension is tuned for ideal responsiveness for the chassis. The front suspension features a strut angle that aligns at the ideal angle to improve ride quality, while an increase in caster angle (+2 degrees) and caster trail (+0.3 in) from the previous generation help improve straight-line stability. The Dynamic Control Shocks employed are capable of responding to even the smallest movements thanks to a non-overlapping auxiliary valve that allows damper oil to flow in either direction before entering the main valve.
The rear suspension design utilizes a trailing arm and a multilink setup that also benefits from the responsiveness of the new Dynamic Control Shocks. Higher placement of the trailing arm mounting point and a larger bushing size result in enhanced helping to dampen road irregularities. Wider spacing of the stabilizer bushing mounts can also contribute to overall roll reduction.
A rack-assist type Electric Power Steering (EPS) system is used to deliver a more precise steering feel compared to the previous generation. Unlike the previous ES which used a steering-column-mounted assist motor, the EPS setup mounts the assist motor directly on the steering rack which returns more precise feedback to the steering wheel.
Key refinements to the driving position were made to the seventh-generation ES including a more natural steering wheel angle, revised pedal positions and standard 10-way power adjustable front seats. Taking cues from the flagship LS, the wheel is directly borrowed from the flagship and features an ergonomically shaped wheel and optional wood trim and heating elements. Heated seats are also available for the driver and front passenger along with a new suction-type ventilation system that provides improved cooling in hot weather.
The drivers aren’t the only ones receiving attention, however. Rear-seat passenger comfort is still a hallmark of the ES, with headroom that is enhanced compared to the previous generation through the use of a lower hip point and a carefully configured headliner. The ES also can hold its own in the storage space department, literally, as it features 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space along with additional underfloor side pockets for smaller items. The hybrid model also offers the same cargo dimensions since the battery pack is located underneath the rear seat. An optional hands-free trunk opener makes loading cargo an easy task.
