ES chief engineer says he’s “not personally happy” with the SUV takeover. Lexus poured “everything” into the new ES because it refused to give up. The comments came during our first-drive event for the new ES. SUVs are absolutely everywhere these days. No matter where you look, they’re not just present, they’re getting bigger, taller, and selling in greater numbers than ever. Most automakers have pushed that reality harder than they’ll admit. SUVs are great for profit margins, and they also benefit from looser emissions rules tied to vehicle footprint. Despite all of that, the Lexus ES is bucking the trend with an all-new generation. More: The First Electric Lexus ES Actually Costs Less Than The Hybrid During our time at the brand’s first-drive launch event, we asked ES chief engineer Kohei Chiashi a simple question. Why do luxury sedans still matter in an SUV world? His answer wasn’t the sort of carefully polished corporate response we’ve come to expect from so many others. Lexus ES Chief Engineer Kohei Chiashi. “For me personally, I love sedans,” Chiashi told us. “This situation with SUVs everywhere is something I’m not personally happy with. I was very passionate about not giving up on the ES. For us, we poured everything we could into the ES because we care about it so much.” The Sedans Lexus Has Already Lost That comment carries extra weight when viewed against Lexus’ recent history. The company has already watched parts of its sedan lineup disappear or shrink in importance. The GS was discontinued in 2020, the LS has become increasingly niche with Lexus even contemplating a six-wheel minivan replacement, and the future of traditional luxury sedans has looked less certain as SUVs continue to dominate nearly every segment. Against that backdrop, keeping the ES relevant meant doing more than simply refreshing an existing formula. Lexus expanded the sedan’s role dramatically. The new generation now supports both hybrid and battery-electric powertrains while growing larger and more spacious in the process. Interestingly, Chiashi also made it clear that Lexus didn’t approach the ES as some kind of reluctant compromise or farewell tour. Instead, the focus stayed on protecting the model’s identity: comfort, cabin space, and effortless long-distance driving. The funny thing is that the ES may now matter more than ever. Fighting for it seems to have been the right choice for everyone involved. Credit: Stephen Rivers for Carscoops
