Auto news on Youtube May 1 2018

Looks like: It's hard to make mid-size sedans interesting, but Lexus added plenty of sass

to the ES for 2019 courtesy of a dramatic new grille.

Competes with: Audi A6, Buick LaCrosse, Genesis G80

Drivetrain: Gasoline versions use a 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 paired with an eight-speed automatic

transmission.

Hybrid models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine paired with an electric motor for

a combined 215 hp.

Hits dealerships: September

After weeks of teaser images, Lexus today unveiled its 2019 ES.

The mid-size sedan gets more dramatic exterior styling and an updated multimedia system,

and hybrid models get a new engine.

Gasoline and hybrid versions return for 2019, with a sport-tuned F Sport model joining the

lineup this year — an ES first.

Exterior Lexus says the ES rides on an all-new platform

that allows for a more dynamic design — and the new model is definitely more interesting.

The ES gets a bad rap for being boring and predictable, but its new face injects some

excitement.

The latest model gets an updated version of the brand's hallmark spindle grille as well

as a lower hood, slimmer headlights and more aggressive body side lines.

In back, there are wraparound LED taillamps and a more-raked, coupelike roofline.

There are two different grille designs.

On ES 350 and ES 300h models, the grille features vertical bars that radiate out from the center;

F Sport models use a blacked-out pattern of L-shaped clusters.

Other F-Sport-specific exterior cues include a rear spoiler, badging, a dark lower valance

and specific 19-inch wheels.

Twelve exterior colors are available for 2019, including two new ones: Moonbeam Beige Metallic

and Sunlit Green.

F Sport models come clad in exclusive Ultra Sonic Blue Mica 2.0.

Interior The switch to the new platform means the 2019

ES is longer and wider than its predecessor.

Lexus says this translates to more passenger and cargo room for the 2019, but didn't release

full specs.

Inside, ES 350 and ES 300h will continue to offer materials like Matte Bamboo, Linear

Dark Mocha and Linear Espresso wood.

F Sport models go in a different direction, with a Japanese sword-inspired metal trim

as the focal point.

Lexus says the Hadori aluminum trim's fluctuating wave patterns give it a three-dimensional

appearance that varies depending on the viewing angle.

One major change — and one that finally brings Lexus almost up to date with nearly

every other automaker — is the control system.

The 2019 ES is the first Lexus to offer Apple CarPlay smartphone functionality, but shoppers

looking for the Android Auto counterpart are still out of luck.

The ES does, however, connect with Amazon Alexa for car-to-home and home-to-car functionality.

Models equipped with the optional navigation system get a 12.3-inch multimedia display

with a built-in Verizon Wi-Fi hot spot, and the base system uses a smaller, 8-inch display

without navigation or hot-spot capabilities.

Both systems use the Lexus Remote Touch Interface trackpad — which will likely still be as

awful as it is in the current-generation ES.

Under the Hood ES 350 models use an updated version of the

outgoing model's 3.5-liter V-6; horsepower is up slightly this year to 302.

The V-6 is mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

ES 300h models use a new power plant, Toyota's fourth-generation hybrid drive system.

It pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for 215 hp.

Lexus says the ES 300h should be get around 44 mpg combined.

The hybrid's new nickel metal hydride battery is smaller, which Lexus says allows it to

be mounted underneath the backseat so it doesn't infringe on trunk space.

The F Sport uses the regular model's V-6 but adds performance-oriented extras like an adaptive

variable suspension system, a more aggressive Sport Plus drive setting and engine sound

enhancement.

Safety All ES models get the Lexus Safety System

Plus 2.0 as standard equipment.

The system includes features like automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive

cruise control.

A new feature this year is daytime bicyclist detection, which is an update to the existing

pedestrian and vehicle detection system.

The 2019 Lexus ES goes on sale in September.

For more infomation >> 2019 Lexus ES: More Sass, More Class - Duration: 6:04.

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2018 Lexus LX 570 2-Row Review: Pay Less, Get More Space - Duration: 9:35.

The verdict: The LX 570 is old-school in good ways and bad ways, with a luxurious interior

and real SUV capability, but it needs cabin and technology updates.

Versus the competition: The LX 570's off-road chops give it some distinction, but competitors

feature better technology and more comfortable second-row seats.

Their modern designs make it easy to overlook the fact that Lexus and parent company Toyota

make some of the most old-school vehicles around, including the legendary Toyota Land

Cruiser and its luxurious counterpart, the Lexus LX 570.

While most modern SUVs trend toward urban performance with car-based platforms and low-slung

profiles, the LX 570 is a dinosaur from a different era.

It has body-on-frame construction, high sides and upright styling that has little regard

for aerodynamics, and it drives off-road with aplomb.

That's why it's hard to find direct competitors for the LX 570 outside of Toyota's Land Cruiser.

The Land Rover Range Rover is one exception; it's priced close to the LX and can go virtually

anywhere despite having unibody construction.

Other models that compete on size and/or price include the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80

and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

Compare the LX 570 with those vehicles here.

As good as it may be on a trail, however, I don't think that's how most LX 570 buyers

will end up using their big ute, so I set out to see if the old dog had any tricks on

the highways and byways of Los Angeles.

New for 2018: Two-Row Version For 2018, the one major change for the LX

570 is the addition of a two-row, five-seat version aimed at those who don't need a third

row and want to gain some cargo room.

In the traditional LX 570, the third-row seats are more of an obstruction when stowed than

in many vehicles because they fold up to the sides rather than down into the floor.

That LX has eight seats in three rows, but only 44.7 cubic feet of cargo volume behind

its second row.

The two-row jumps up to 50.5 cubic feet, a 13 percent increase.

There's more good news: The two-row version comes with a $5,000 price decrease and starts

at $86,575, but it's mono-spec, meaning there are no option packages available for it.

While the three-row is comparably equipped to start, you can add a luxury package (including

perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats, and

a four-zone climate control system) and a rear-seat entertainment system that brings

a pair of 11.6-inch screens.

Powertrain The LX 570 comes with an old-fashioned 5.7-liter

V-8 that makes 383 horsepower and 403 pounds-feet of torque.

It's mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive that offers

an additional low gear via a switch in the center console.

Next to that is a control for Lexus' impressive crawl-control system, which can be set to

maintain a slow pace over rough terrain without the driver having to manipulate the pedals.

This system is standard, along with an air suspension that offers a variety of ride heights.

I'd recommend letting the suspension automatically do its own thing on the road; raising it too

high on your own can negatively impact ride quality.

On the street, the LX 570 drives like a more refined version of a large truck.

The ride is butter smooth over pavement, and though there's some extra body roll in the

corners, the LX 570 doesn't feel sloppy; its suspension gets it back upright slowly rather

than explosively.

The V-8 gets the LX 570's 5,800 pounds moving easily and — most importantly — pulls

hard between 40 and 70 mph, so passing is a breeze.

Road and tire noise are well-controlled — more so than in other vehicles that ride on truck-based

platforms.

Fuel economy is, predictably, not a strong point: 13/18/15 mpg city/highway/combined.

I recommend letting the suspension automatically do its own thing on the road; raising it too

high on your own can negatively impact ride quality.

Interior Hits and Misses Let's start with the positives: Materials

and fit and finish are big highlights in the LX 570.

It feels the part of a nearly $90,000 luxury SUV, and even though tan leather isn't particularly

my style (I'd always be afraid of spills or stains), it was very impressive.

The front seats are also exceptionally comfortable, and the LX 570 comes with a feature called

Climate Concierge, which employs multiple sensors around the vehicle to control the

ventilation system, heated and ventilated seats and heated steering wheel (if equipped)

to either cool or warm the car more comfortably for occupants.

When it comes to misses, two big ones stem from Lexus' insistence on using a weird knoblike

mouse controller for its infotainment systems and continuing to resist smartphone connectivity

options (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay).

Lexus is starting to change this in some newer vehicles, but those changes are too late to

help the LX 570.

It wouldn't be as much of a con if the built-in system were good, but its structure is confusing,

the navigation map is a mess and it's uncomfortably difficult to use while driving.

There was also one weird quirk I found in the LX 570's backseat: The floor is quite

high, which elevates passengers' knees and raises their thighs off the seat's lower cushioning

— unfortunate, because that's some good Lexus-grade cushioning down there.

You won't notice on a short trip, but it will affect passengers on the longer jaunts I think

Lexus envisions owners taking in this vehicle.

Safety Technology Much Appreciated I came to appreciate many of the LX 570's

safety systems, which all worked flawlessly in my week with the SUV.

I drove it in traffic and in cities, parallel parked it on city streets and somehow squeezed

it into my apartment's compact parking space.

Though visibility is pretty good thanks to large windows all around and a commanding

seating position, negotiating tight spaces would be nerve-wracking without the standard

360-degree camera system and parking sensors, which were very helpful without being overbearing.

Rounding out the list of standard safety features are all-speed adaptive cruise control, automatic

wipers, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high

beams, blind spot monitors and lane keep assist.

Unashamedly Old-School The 2018 LX 570 ended up being pretty much

what I expected it to be: big and luxurious, with plenty of capability for adventuring

(it can tow 7,000 pounds), but lacking in a few key areas around multimedia technology

and drivability.

I like the LX 570's trucklike feel, but some buyers will be looking for an SUV that, to

be frank, doesn't ride and drive like one.

That's why when my time with the LX 570 ended, I found myself a little sad.

I would hate for this to be the last one I drive, but I can see the world changing around

it to the point where it may not make sense for Lexus to keep it in production.

Having the LX 570 in the lineup in lieu of a large three-row crossover — that would

likely cost much less and get better fuel economy — doesn't really make sense.

But for now, I'm glad it's holding on.