Lexus ES

Lexus has defied the downwards trend in the luxury market throughout 2019, and it's crediting its range of hybrid vehicles for the results. Toyota's luxury arm was up 5.9 per cent in May and has exactly matched 2018 sales year-to-date. That's in stark contrast with BMW (down 3.8 per cent year-to-date), Audi (down 29 per cent), and Mercedes-Benz cars (down 14 per cent).

Lexus Australia has continued its growth this past month, setting an all-time sales record for the month of January with 705 registrations. The result is a 15.8 per cent improvement on January 2018's figure of 609 units, largely bolstered by the introduction of the all-new UX baby crossover (pictured above), which added 116 units. Of the 705 Lexus vehicles registered during January, a whopping 568 were from the company's SUV lines.

Lexus Australia has detailed pricing and specifications for the all new ES range, which hits dealerships this month. Priced from $59,888 before on-road costs, the local ES range will only include the ES300h hybrid available in two trim levels – Luxury and Sports Luxury. That's a smidgen under $4000 cheaper than the model it replaces, while also bringing an increased level of standard equipment and space.

A new prototype, draped in the usual camouflage but unmistakable in identity, has been spied testing in the US this week. These photos are very likely our first look at the next-generation 2018 Lexus ES in its final body. Clearly inspired by the big new LS limo unveiled in Detroit earlier this year, the new ES will wear the same expansive 'spindle' grille that has famously polarised punters for years now.

Lexus Australia has issued a recall notice for its ES350 petrol and ES300h hybrid sedans, over concerns that its pre-collision safety systems may not function correctly. The luxury carmaker reports that in both cars, the system’s sensors may interpret steel expansion joints or plates in the road as an object to be avoided. The overly sensitive system may then sound a warning alert, and may also apply the brakes as it is designed to do in a genuine accident situation.