Lexus ES

The Lexus ES series is a family of midize sedans produced by the Lexus division of Toyota from 1989 to the present. The Lexus ES was built in Tsutsumi, Japan. The first ES250 was built on August 30, 1989. The last ES250 was built on July 5, 1991. The first ES300 was built on September 9, 1991 as a 1992 model. The ES series has always been built off of the Toyota Camry platform and features a V6 engine and automatic transmission. The Camry and ES do generally not directly compete, as the ES offers a more upscale ride, more elegant styling, and more luxury features. From the second generation onwards, the ES is sold in Japan as the Toyota Windom.

First Generation

The first ES (codename VZV21) debuted in 1989 as the ES 250 (the 250 denotes a 2.5L engine) with the Camry's 156hp V6. This car was not offered in Japan, but shared much with a Japanese-market Camry hardtop variant. The ES250 was a hastily conceived and reskinned Camry in order to avoid introducing the Lexus nameplate with one model (LS400).

Second Generation

Completely redesigned for 1992 and now based on the VCV10-series Toyota Windom, it was renamed the ES 300 to reflect the half-liter bump in engine displacement. This second generation was significantly larger and more curvacious (as was the Camry) and sported a 185hp engine. The 1993 Model ES was the last Lexus sedan to offer a 5-speed manual transmission until the IS 300 was introduced.

Third Generation

The third generation (codename MCV20) appeared in 1997 with a 200hp V6. The Lexus IS took over from the ES as Lexus's entry-level car in 1998.

Fourth generation

The fourth generation (codename MCV30) debuted in 2002, possessing, among other enhancements, a more luxurious interior and a drive-by-wire electronic throttle. Now that the sport end of the market was covered by the new Lexus IS, the ES became even more of a luxury car and dropped any sporting pretensions. In 2003, for the US and European markets, a new 3.3 engine making 225hp replaced the old 3.0L unit and the car was renamed ES 330. The ES 300 line is still continued for the Middle East and Asian markets, in the same shape as the new ES 330.