DistantNews
Support us
Lexus ES Goes Electric: A New Era for the Popular Taxi Sedan Image: Lexus
🇸🇪 Sweden /Technology

Lexus ES Goes Electric: A New Era for the Popular Taxi Sedan

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth From a news agency Context piece
  • The Lexus ES, a popular choice for taxi services in Sweden, has been updated with an all-electric variant.
  • The new model represents a significant technological leap for Lexus, featuring a redesigned exterior and a focus on passenger comfort.
  • The redesigned interior includes a large touchscreen, a digital driver display, and comfortable, supportive seats, particularly in the rear.

The Lexus ES, long a staple for taxi services in Sweden, has entered a new phase with the introduction of an all-electric version. This move signifies a major technological advancement for Lexus, aiming to blend the model's established reputation for comfort with sustainable electric power.

How ugly it is, expresses practically every journalist who sees the new Lexus ES in pictures.

— JournalistInitial reaction to the Lexus ES's design.

While initial journalistic reactions to the ES's exterior design, particularly its "Spindle grille"-less front, have been mixed, the car transforms in person. The design team has clearly invested significant effort here, with the "Spindle grille" concept now influencing the hood's contours. The focus, however, remains on the passenger experience, especially in the rear.

The rear seat is highlighted as the car's unique selling proposition. Despite the battery pack beneath the floor, the ES offers impressive rear-seat space for a low-profile vehicle. Higher trim levels, like the "Luxury" package, even include heating, ventilation, and massage functions for rear passengers, while the "Executive" trim also provides a high level of comfort.

The rear seat is fantastic. It is really the car's USP.

— Article authorHighlighting the comfort and space of the rear seating.

Inside, the driver's area has been modernized, moving away from Lexus's historically less cutting-edge infotainment systems. The new ES features a large central touchscreen and a digital driver's display, complemented by a few essential physical buttons. The interface is user-friendly, though the driver's screen can appear cluttered. The steering wheel is also new, smaller, and more comfortable to grip, a welcome change from some manufacturers' more angular designs. The gear selector is also more compact and easier to use.

The menus are simple, even if the driver's screen is somewhat cluttered, but the touchscreen is fast and sharp.

— Article authorDescribing the functionality of the new infotainment system.

While prioritizing comfort, the new electric ES is not dull to drive. Its steering offers sufficient directness for its class, and the car feels well-balanced despite its size. Performance is adequate, ensuring a pleasant ride for passengers who are the primary focus of this luxury sedan.

And thankfully not angular or strange as other manufacturers seem to design steering wheels these days.

— Article authorPraising the design of the new steering wheel.
About this summary

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog