New Lexus ES 250 and refreshed RX 300 range arrives
Lexus Malaysia sees its local line up updated following the launch of the new seventh generation ES saloon and refreshed RX luxury crossover line up. Both models were launched last night during a special evening soiree held in Bukit Kiara. Here’s an overview of both.
Lexus ES 250
Brand new from the ground up, the seventh generation ES 250 saloon proudly sports a stylish new exterior design, even sporting signature Lexus traits like the large spindle grille motif up front.
Underneath, the ES 250 is built upon a new Global Architecture K (GA-K) chassis platform derived from the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. The result sees the ES growing in both size and space, the latter evident through class-leading legroom.
At the heart of things is Lexus’s latest 2.5-litre Dynamic Force 4-cylinder engine that outputs 204bhp and 247Nm. Drive is sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic whilst increased fuel efficiency is promised by an auto stop-start system.
The ES 250 can be had in either Premium or Luxury trimlines, both packing the new and improved Lexus Safety System + (LSS+) suite. This lines the saloon with 10 airbags, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with Stop and Go function and Blind Spot Monitor.
Opt for the higher-spec Luxury trimline and the ES 250 is further brimmed with three bi-beam LED headlights that boasts Adaptive High Beam System (AHS). This option also adds the novel and fancy sequential turn signals in the mix too.
Other notable features in this premium-spec trimline include three-zone climate control, heads-up display, 12.3-inch infotainment screen with navigation and 360 degree parking camera, as well as a hands-free powered boot, ambient lighting, rear door sun shades and a Qi wireless smartphone charger.
Available for viewing at Lexus centres nationwide, the new seventh generation Lexus ES 250 retails from RM299,888 in Premium trimline, and from RM332,888 in its higher-spec Luxury trimline option.
RX 300
Moving on to the Lexus brand’s mid-sized crossover, the RX 300 has been refreshed for the 2019 model year, sporting a mild nip tuck with its exterior design, along with a lightly revised features list.
The RX 300 comes in three trimline options starting with the base Premium trimline, followed by a Luxury that’s slotted in the middle of the range whilst a flagship F Sport variant caps the range at the top.
All three share the same 2.0-litre turbo 4-cylinder heart that outputs 235bhp and 350Nm. Drive is managed by a six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive setup that’s standard equipped in all three.
Whilst things in the powertrain department remain unchanged, Lexus have tweaked the RS 300’s chassis a little. It’s now brimmed with new hollow stabilisers and reinforced bushings, resulting in reduced body roll and enhanced steering response.
Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) is reserved for the flagship F Sport trimline, and it comes on top of a chassis that’s further enhanced thanks to additional spot welds, not forgetting active corner braking that’s engineered to reduce understeer.
Like the ES 250 launched alongside it, all RX 300 trimlines will come standard equipped with LSS+ suite. Other items present include dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, 12-speaker sound system, drive mode selector, rear side window sunshades, as well as navigation function and wireless Qi charger – the last two being exclusive to the Luxury and F Sport respectively.
As for prices, the RX 300 Premium commands RM399,888 onwards whilst the RX 300 Luxury starts from RM424,800 onwards. The flagship RX 300 F Sport, on the other hand, retails from RM439,888 onwards.
