Lexus ES 250 2.5 F Sport (A) Facelift Review

With current Cat B COE prices hovering just below $80k, getting a car can cost you an arm and a leg. And if you're the sort who needs a car and are unable to hold out much longer, it's always advisable to get a car that's worth your every cent, something that's an all-rounder.

That's to say you'll need to look for a car that's luxurious, good-looking, spacious, drives comfortably and has enough safety systems to ensure all on board are kept secured at all times on our roads. Perhaps something like the refreshed Lexus ES...

Sounds familiar

For Singapore's market, there are several different variants of the ES. Previously we reviewed the Lexus ES300h, which was a hybrid variant. Now, what we have here is a petrol-powered ES250 F Sport, which clearly differentiates itself from regular ES models.

For starters, the car here is a bold looker. The F Sport trim adds more presence and aggression that are lacking in the regular trim variants. On the exterior front, it gets bigger 19-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, special F Sport paint (like the Heat Blue on our test car) as well as a menacing mesh grille.

F Sport any sportier?

Still, regardless of the variants that you decide to go for, they all sport the same 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-pot powerplant under their bonnets. This unit here will spin out 203bhp and 247Nm of twisting force to the front wheels via a creamy eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing the car to cross the 100km/h finishing line from nought in 9.1 seconds.

In that sense, if all you care about is good, bold, daring looks, the ES250 F Sport that you see on this very page will be perfect for you. It isn't to say that the car has no go. It'll hold its own very well against key rivals like the Audi A6, the BMW 5 Series, the Jaguar XF and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, thanks to the very fact that Lexus has intelligently taken a different approach by focusing on key areas such as driving refinement, ride comfort and cabin quality.

As a result, what you get is a car that cruises ever so creamily and smoothly that you can hardly ask for more. Make no mistakes, the refreshed Lexus won't set your pulse racing or your balls tingling, but it'll get the job done in a cushy manner and in ample style.

Like a boss

For instance, over bad bumps and coarse roads, the ES never loses composure or shudders - even with stiffer suspension - neither does it send any vibration through to the cabin. Yet, it manages to accurately hold on to your choice of line every time you decide to carve a corner quicker than usual with little signs of roll.

Yes, the heightened rigidity to the rear suspension, nicely-weighted steering as well as ample grip from the Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres greatly help in this aspect, but in no way do they have a negative impact on the car's ride comfort or communication to the driver.

Nevertheless, you'll seldom find yourself driving hard in the Lexus ES in real-life driving situations. That's just the nature of the ES, whether in the F Sport trim or not. It urges you to take a couple of notches down, encourages you to enjoy the serene drive and reassures you that you have the capability to handle life like a boss.

Feeling like a royalty

This has largely to do with the lovely cabin of the car. As with all Lexus models, the ES250 F Sport test car has an interior that's made with the finest quality.

The materials employed - from shiny plastics by the doors to the supple leather all around - are all executed with high levels of refinement and comfort in mind.

In this trim, there are also aesthetic differences that do well to enhance the car's overall sportiness. Front occupants get to enjoy specified F Sport bucket seats that come with ventilation, red stitching all around as well as a full leather steering wheel.

Thankfully, none of these enhancements affect the car's ability to provide ample head, leg and shoulder room for three passengers at the back. Boot space also remains at 420 litres, which is more than sufficient for a couple of golf bags, weekly grocery shopping and picnic with the family.

An all-rounder for the classy

In this form, the Lexus ES250 F Sport is a serious contender in its class. Indeed, at the price of $286,800 (as of 18 November 2021), the car isn't exactly chump change, but it's an all-rounder that will be worth your every cent.

And in a time when Cat B COE prices are sky high, that's a key consideration.


In the market for a luxury sedan? These are some alternatives to consider:

The BMW 5 Series offers sharp exterior styling and a sublime and luxurious driving experience

The Mercedes E-Class has an impressive cabin and a comfortable ride

The Audi A6 meanwhile, is a refined vehicle that offers a supple and silent drive