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Expert Rating

Lexus ES

(2019 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

61
%
C

Used car score:

61
%
C

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

62
%
D

Safety Rating:

67
%
C

Eco Rating:

69
%
B

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

52
%
D

Warranty Rating:

50
%
C

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

61
%
C

Used car score:

61
%
C

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

62
%
D

Safety Rating:

67
%
C

Eco Rating:

69
%
B

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

52
%
D

Summary

The Lexus ES is a large executive saloon, which was launched in the UK in 2019 to replace the discontinued GS model. The ES had not previously been sold in Europe, although it has been offered for many years in the USA.

In the UK, the ES is only available with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. No conventional petrol or diesel models are offered.

The Lexus ES has received generally good to very good reviews from UK media sources. Consumer titles have rated it highly for its build quality, comfort and refinement, while performance-oriented titles have criticised its driving dynamics.

This generation of ES has now ended production, ahead of an all-new model arriving in the UK in the summer of 2026.

As of March 2026, the Lexus ES holds a New Car Expert Rating of C with a score of 61%.

Key specifications

Body style: Large executive saloon
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £40,000 on-road

Launched: Winter 2018/19
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2018
Date expired: January 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 90%
Safety assist: 77%

More safety recognition

  • Euro NCAP rated the new Lexus ES as Best Large Family Car and Best Hybrid & Electric Car in 2018
  • Thatcham Research rated the Lexus ES one of the ten safest new cars for 2019

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of March 2026, the Lexus ES has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Lexus ES to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the ES, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumptionAverageScore
Hybrid models51 mpgC
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Hybrid models121 g/kmB
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models33D
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£239C
Year 2£618C
Year 3£1,013C
Year 4£1,221C
Year 5£1,656C
Overall£4,747C

The Lexus ES is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The hybrid’s fuel consumption is more conservative than the average car, and it’s insurance premiums aren’t likely to be higher than the market average. Even better news is that servicing and maintenance costs are predicted to remain affordable over the course of five years of ownership.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Lexus ES has received

2018

Euro NCAP Best Cars of 2018 – Best Large Family Car + Best Hybrid & Electric Car

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The Lexus ES has received generally good reviews from UK media sources. Consumer titles have rated it highly for its build quality, comfort and refinement, while performance-oriented titles have criticised its driving dynamics.Lexus ES