e-yes

I’d be giving my dealership a call soon as I need to decide whether I am going to return the car to them or not at the end of the term in July. —C

ICYMI … the total system output is now 245 HP !!! However no change to the 0-60 time. Seems like the website is work-in-progress. I was hoping for the 245HP but was also expecting better performance with higher output.

IIRC both 0-62mph and top speed are to conform to some emissions standards. However, the ES hybrid has been known to have been under advertised. Some reviewers on YouTube have measured 0-60mph times of close to 7.5s The boot space has been measured to be well over 500 litres. No one I remember has claimed to have tested the top speed (I think Autogefuehl channel on YouTube tried an autobahn sprint) Personally I know it goes from 70mph to a “certain” speed like no one expects this car to go. But being in U.K. I didn’t attempt to stick to that speed for too long… simply wanted to loose a Range Rover whose driver couldn’t relate to the fact that a car other than his was making rapid progress in the fast lane and decided to tail gate as that was the best thing he could react with. Hopefully you may be able to report the correct top sustained speed which the ES can carry. —E

Limited to 112mph or about 180kph.

I think the Premium Pack also includes ANC ?

I had one installed from dealership and it is a Nextbase unit actually but due to its shape it looks like a Lexus OEM part. It does what it says it is supposed to do. Connecting to it to do card maintenance is the worst aspect. I prefer to take the card out and format it on the laptop but that needs to be done with care as the card cover might fly off as it comes off.

These thieves are getting even more creative... Just saw a post on Nextdoor network about a theft being attempted by drilling a hole into the door ! From the videos that the victim has shared, the car appears to be a BMW and they say that the alarm didn't go off. They were not able to get into the car but they left behind a hefty damage.

Those are still the numbers from Canada … and a single province ? Did you post the wrong link perhaps?

The other hurdle is that U.K. is not the “significant” market for Toyota/Lexus compared to North America. Are the thefts occurring there as well in significant numbers.

Thanks Mister John for the detailed response. I don't see Volvo selling the saloons any more and really would avoid an SUV style if I can. Also trying to avoid a plugin hybrid... I am not convinced about them. For the most part, the plugin hybrids in my opinion are a an effective tax-avoidance instrument if the car is purchased/operated under business expense. Can't see myself having to plug-in AND fill up with petrol, should be one or the other. I considered the same cars you have enumerated above and the ES came out the most pragmatic choice at the time. I tried the V90 and it had a very nice ride (a dead steering as well) but the petrol engine made some racket under load... the ES I was expecting would be even louder but surprisingly was the quietest of all. So far, the Tesla Model 3 is making sense as a pure EV but definitely not a long term keeper... and the way it is setup on the inside, it is like operating a computer or a tablet, something I am really trying to avoid as I do that too much as a part of my day job already. Don't want to operate a computer I don't like or cannot setup the way I want to... it doesn't even have CarPlay and Apple Music streaming will require a subscription from Tesla after first month of ownership. If I must get into an SUV type car then so far the new Honda CRV is coming up as a sensible option. I haven't test driven it as yet but going by the reviews (Savagegeese, Tom Volke, Ryan Douthit all are generally very positive but not super excited about it)... and being a Honda I think it might well be a keeper, if a tad boring and far less luxurious than the ES. Test drive may change my opinion about the luxury aspect but I am sure it won't be like a Lexus NX (and won't cost as much as the NX as well) --E

No locking wheel nuts is a very odd omission ! Is it simply cost control or is it due to the electric drive train ?

I had a Mazda 6 from new in the highest trim but in manual petrol guise. On long runs I could get 50mpg out of it. Mind blowing suspension tuning for a front wheel drive setup. But when we switched from being two car household to single car, part exchanged our BMW 3 Touring and the Mazda 6 … and went with that horrendous A6 Audi f*%#ing crap. Wife doesn’t drive manuals and the BMW had started showing its age… needed a suspension rebuild which I didn’t want to delve into. TLDR; Mazda 6 for me was very good. Not quite as premium as the ES but then also not anywhere near as pricey as Lexus and at that point of time Mazda were also doing the 0% finance thingy as well. The seats experience on the Mazda 6 was that they were fine for drives up to 2 hours at a stretch but then a break was needed if driving any further. On the ES I think I can drive 4/5 hours straight without getting fatigued.

How about a GS ? Are they vulnerable as well ?

That’s interesting, are the 5 series PHEVs good ? And will they have batteries with some life left in them after three years ?

I did a test drive and sadly the comfort levels are a step below ES. I am thinking of trying the lower spec NX with 18 inch wheels and see how that goes… but again sadly those cannot be had with memory seats so that will be a negative. On the plus side, won’t have to deal with those high tech touchy-feely-looky buttons on the steering. If I have to take a step down from comfort then might as well also consider the Tesla 3 and bring the overall costs down. Or, keep the ES and see how big YoY hit I take on insurance, it is quite possible that the 3x increase is about as much as the actuaries think is sufficient for a long enough period of time. Buying a new car is tbh bothersome… I know what I have now with my ES is as good as it gets… but for the lack of peace of mind due to the scumbag thieves.