This car costs $53,555…about 3 grand less than a base Audi A6. And for that Lexus gives you a 203 horsepower all-wheel drive midsize sedan with F SPORT touches such as a sport-tuned suspension and a red faux leather interior. Prior to this model year, ES gas-only models were exclusively V6 powered and front wheel drive. But now, you can spec one with a RAV4 engine – the only way to get an ES with all-wheel drive. Weighing 90 pounds more and producing 83 pound-feet of torque less obviously results in much slower acceleration, adding 2 seconds to this car’s 0-to-60mph time of 8.6 seconds. How slow is that exactly? A Mitsu Outlander Sport will leave it in the dust. But the ES is one of the maturest cars Lexus sells and the over 60 crowd doesn’t necessarily crave speed anyway. So maybe this paring is acceptable? But with an F SPORT badge? Now things are getting silly.
