The 2016 Lexus ES made its debut at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show with a subtle facelift and a new engine for the Chinese market.
Lexus updated the 2016 ES’s front end to look more inline with the other new cars in the lineup. Up front is a more prominent slats in the grille, thicker chrome accents around the spindle grille and redesigned fog lights. The headlights are now LED projectors, and the L-shaped daytime running lights extend past the headlight to match other Lexus models.
The back end also got a refresh, with a chrome accent above the license plate holder spanning the taillights.
Under the hood, the ES now gets a 2.0-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that was designed to meet Chinese fuel economy regulations. The 2.0-liter ES will be sold in China, Russia and Taiwan, but won’t be available in the United States.
Safety features like a pre-collision system, brake assist lane departure warnings are combined into one package called the Lexus Safety System +. The system also includes automatic high beams and radar cruise control.
The interior of the 2016 ES is available in new color combinations and the seats now have an embossed pattern and are available in four colors – Flaxen, Parchment, Stratus Gray and Black. Interior trim is also available in four styles – Illustrious Piano Black, Linear Dark Mocha Wood, Espresso Bird’s Eye Maple with Shimamoku ornamentation and Bamboo. For 2016, the Bamboo trim has a matte finish.
The ES has self-healing clear coat paint that can heal itself from light damage. Ten colors are available, with four new colors for 2016 – Amber, Nightfall Mica, Caviar and Eminent White Pearl.
Lexus hasn’t release pricing or a release date for the 2016 ES.
Check out this TFLcar mashup video of the Lexus ES 350 going against the BMW 335i:
