e-yes

ICYMI … the total system output is now 245 HP !!! However no change to the 0-60 time. Seems like the website is work-in-progress. I was hoping for the 245HP but was also expecting better performance with higher output.

IIRC both 0-62mph and top speed are to conform to some emissions standards. However, the ES hybrid has been known to have been under advertised. Some reviewers on YouTube have measured 0-60mph times of close to 7.5s The boot space has been measured to be well over 500 litres. No one I remember has claimed to have tested the top speed (I think Autogefuehl channel on YouTube tried an autobahn sprint) Personally I know it goes from 70mph to a “certain” speed like no one expects this car to go. But being in U.K. I didn’t attempt to stick to that speed for too long… simply wanted to loose a Range Rover whose driver couldn’t relate to the fact that a car other than his was making rapid progress in the fast lane and decided to tail gate as that was the best thing he could react with. Hopefully you may be able to report the correct top sustained speed which the ES can carry. —E

Limited to 112mph or about 180kph.

I think the Premium Pack also includes ANC ?

I had one installed from dealership and it is a Nextbase unit actually but due to its shape it looks like a Lexus OEM part. It does what it says it is supposed to do. Connecting to it to do card maintenance is the worst aspect. I prefer to take the card out and format it on the laptop but that needs to be done with care as the card cover might fly off as it comes off.

These thieves are getting even more creative... Just saw a post on Nextdoor network about a theft being attempted by drilling a hole into the door ! From the videos that the victim has shared, the car appears to be a BMW and they say that the alarm didn't go off. They were not able to get into the car but they left behind a hefty damage.

Those are still the numbers from Canada … and a single province ? Did you post the wrong link perhaps?

The other hurdle is that U.K. is not the “significant” market for Toyota/Lexus compared to North America. Are the thefts occurring there as well in significant numbers.

Thanks Mister John for the detailed response. I don't see Volvo selling the saloons any more and really would avoid an SUV style if I can. Also trying to avoid a plugin hybrid... I am not convinced about them. For the most part, the plugin hybrids in my opinion are a an effective tax-avoidance instrument if the car is purchased/operated under business expense. Can't see myself having to plug-in AND fill up with petrol, should be one or the other. I considered the same cars you have enumerated above and the ES came out the most pragmatic choice at the time. I tried the V90 and it had a very nice ride (a dead steering as well) but the petrol engine made some racket under load... the ES I was expecting would be even louder but surprisingly was the quietest of all. So far, the Tesla Model 3 is making sense as a pure EV but definitely not a long term keeper... and the way it is setup on the inside, it is like operating a computer or a tablet, something I am really trying to avoid as I do that too much as a part of my day job already. Don't want to operate a computer I don't like or cannot setup the way I want to... it doesn't even have CarPlay and Apple Music streaming will require a subscription from Tesla after first month of ownership. If I must get into an SUV type car then so far the new Honda CRV is coming up as a sensible option. I haven't test driven it as yet but going by the reviews (Savagegeese, Tom Volke, Ryan Douthit all are generally very positive but not super excited about it)... and being a Honda I think it might well be a keeper, if a tad boring and far less luxurious than the ES. Test drive may change my opinion about the luxury aspect but I am sure it won't be like a Lexus NX (and won't cost as much as the NX as well) --E

No locking wheel nuts is a very odd omission ! Is it simply cost control or is it due to the electric drive train ?

I had a Mazda 6 from new in the highest trim but in manual petrol guise. On long runs I could get 50mpg out of it. Mind blowing suspension tuning for a front wheel drive setup. But when we switched from being two car household to single car, part exchanged our BMW 3 Touring and the Mazda 6 … and went with that horrendous A6 Audi f*%#ing crap. Wife doesn’t drive manuals and the BMW had started showing its age… needed a suspension rebuild which I didn’t want to delve into. TLDR; Mazda 6 for me was very good. Not quite as premium as the ES but then also not anywhere near as pricey as Lexus and at that point of time Mazda were also doing the 0% finance thingy as well. The seats experience on the Mazda 6 was that they were fine for drives up to 2 hours at a stretch but then a break was needed if driving any further. On the ES I think I can drive 4/5 hours straight without getting fatigued.

How about a GS ? Are they vulnerable as well ?

That’s interesting, are the 5 series PHEVs good ? And will they have batteries with some life left in them after three years ?

I did a test drive and sadly the comfort levels are a step below ES. I am thinking of trying the lower spec NX with 18 inch wheels and see how that goes… but again sadly those cannot be had with memory seats so that will be a negative. On the plus side, won’t have to deal with those high tech touchy-feely-looky buttons on the steering. If I have to take a step down from comfort then might as well also consider the Tesla 3 and bring the overall costs down. Or, keep the ES and see how big YoY hit I take on insurance, it is quite possible that the 3x increase is about as much as the actuaries think is sufficient for a long enough period of time. Buying a new car is tbh bothersome… I know what I have now with my ES is as good as it gets… but for the lack of peace of mind due to the scumbag thieves.

Those MLB platform models (A4 onwards) should be sold with a warning... the engines are longitudinal but still drive the front wheels which in RHD variants ends up stealing space from the driver. For me pretty much impossible to sit comfortably. Also, yes the RX will continue to be plagued by insurance costs.

Well, there is BMW 3 and 5 , Mercedes E class, Audi A4/5/6 .. A7 is too big, Jaguar XF. But I am not looking into those brands for various reasons. BMW specifically are on a mission to produce ducking fugly products of late. The Japanese are low volume sellers in UK/Europe thus are forced into offering "flavour of the month" that is in demand and those are SUVs sadly.

Even the very new one ?

Hi, Considering what with all the thefts and insurance issues, I have taken the following steps so far Disklok steering lock Bollard Maybe add a wheel clamp if going out of country for a few days and deflate the rear tyres to lowest tolerable level which won't damage the TPWS sensors. Was considering Ghost but as per other topics in the forum it appears Ghost is having issues and personally I would not want to futz around with the complicated electronics and run the risk of voiding warranty. With all (bar one) of the above, I think I will likely prevent a theft. However, the other longer term risk is insurance cost. My insurance went from under £400 to just about £1200... which is a 3x increase but in the grand scheme of things still tolerable. But what if it keeps increasing year on year ? Anything over £2000 and it stops making financial sense keeping the car for the full 10 year period I had hoped to keep it for. I am considering the following... Lexus NX350h All good however not as comfortable or luxurious as the ES even in Takumi trim. Lexus RX previous gen Can try and negotiate the selling dealership to work out that CANBUS mitigation into the deal. But pretty sure insurance not getting any cheaper on this route as well. (Not considering the new generation RX because in my view it is not a good value at all) Subaru Outback Haven't checked how the insurance is but seems like a good value. I had the chance to be a passenger in one of these as a taxi in Iceland ! Very plush and comfortable... quite a bit more than the new NX. Downsides I see are is that it is a bit sluggish and not as economical as the ES Nissan X-Trail The new one seems to be a good value and comfortable. Didn't think I would consider this... but Tesla Model 3 Purely because it is surprisingly coming in at very affordable levels all things considered. Also in the play but probably will never make it... Audi A4 Estate Petrol 2.0 TSI Well... a highly specced one of these is coming in cheaper than a new ES Takumi and having had some experience with VAG dealerships, I think it may still be possible to track down that one dealer who is willing to knock of up to 20% from the RRP. However... had bad experience with this so called "luxury" brand so... probably will never go this way. Thoughts... ? --E

It is kind of odd that now the motoring press is impressed with the gearbox 🤔 The very same gearbox which was widely deemed whiny/droney and not befitting of a car which is competing with the likes of the haloed Germans.

I really want to keep mine for as long as possible, I went in and out of three brand new cars to find the one that I love. Getting bollard installed as well to protect it. However, if the thefts continue and insurance continues to rise to unreasonable level then I will have to hand it back to Lexus and let it be their problem at the end of the PCP term 😕 --E

If at all there is a smoking gun, Lexus themselves charged me £1184.68 for insuring my ES this time whereas last time I was with a different insurer and the premium was about £400 and that insurer simply sent an email saying they are not going to insure my ES. Every other quote this time was around the same as Lexus so I decided to insure with them. —E

I have also went ahead and ordered installation from the same company. They recommended for my “setup” a single bollard will be sufficient to box the car in. The one thing I was thinking though if bollard will give way if sufficient torque is applied eg trying to take the bollard down by “running it over” with the car itself ? However, going by how these thieves operate it appears that they are interested if it can be done within a few minutes, that way a bollard will add several minutes to the task and might be an effective deterrent.

Cops in U.K. should be driving ESes… they don’t appear to be prepared to get anywhere or get anything done… might as well chill out in the car while (not) doing their jobs.

The loan NX was a 73 reg, pretty much "fresh off the boat" unit as it had a mere 340 miles on the odometer ! My guess would be that I am probably amongst the first few who are getting to test drive that specific one. It is certainly a lovely Lexus... other than the two things that glitched for me personally, I don't see why it won't sell well if Lexus could ship enough of them to UK. I would end up replacing the tyres to non RFTs after some time... that's all. I have had the UX300e Takumi and UX250h F-Sport as loan cars and the 300e was quite plush (and heavy !) but certainly not better than the NX Takumi. --E

I took the car in for service and MOT today. The dealership had arranged for an NX350h Takumi for the test drive / loan car. Sadly, as lovely as it is the NX however doesn’t work for me. The seats even in the Takumi trim are not as comfortable as the ES with the extending thigh support. And the ride is also a tad on the harsh side compared to the ES.. that although I think can be fixed with replacing the tyres with non RFT ones. The seats however cannot be upgraded any further from the highest Takumi trim. And the biggest hurdle… my wife didn’t like it at all ! and we were both quite happy to drive back home in the ES. She sat in the NX and didn’t even want to test drive it. Other than the above mentioned issues, NX is I must say quite well appointed. The strange cruise control buttons need getting used to but not a deal breaker. Anyone who has had no experience with ES will be very impressed especially with the Takumi trim. I guess I will look into Ghost and bollards. —E