The company has also added a new variant of F Sport to the line-up of Premium and Luxury offering.
The F Sport, which offers added distinction, is priced from RM345,134, while Premium comes at RM295,663 and Luxury at RM329,910.
Prices are on-the-road without insurance and are SST exempt until the end of the year.
The new ES 250 retains a sleek coupe-style silhouette while the signature spindle grille gets its design elements changed and has fewer vertical bars.
For the F Sport, it's grille has a mesh pattern composed of interlocking L elements with a dark metallic finish.
The Premium now gets the Bi-LED Projector headlights with a new inner bezel design, while the ultra-compact 3-beam LED projector headlamps of the Luxury and F Sport have a new and distinctive Daytime Running Light design.
The Premium and Luxury maintain their 18-inch alloy wheels while those on the Premium have a new design with a Dark Grey Metallic Finish.
The F Sport gets larger 19-inch alloy wheels with a Dark Premium Metallic finish and exclusive exterior fittings that include a rear spoiler.
Inside, the advanced cockpit design has been updated with a new full-colour 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display (8-inch in the Premium) that has been repositioned 112mm closer to the occupants and turned 5 degrees towards the driver.
The system also includes Navigation services for the Luxury and F Sport.
Aside from USB Type-C ports, the new ES 250 also comes with a Nanoe-X negative ion generator that improves cabin air quality – the first Lexus model to introduce this feature as standard.
The F Sport gets a classy light-emitting analogue clock on the dashboard with its own unique L-shaped graphics, while the meter has an electric movable metal ring with a 3-D effect first featured in the Lexus LFA supercar and later used in other F Sport variants.
This top variant also gets a leather 3-spoke steering wheel, dimpled leather-trimmed shift knob and sporty aluminium pedals and footrest.
Powering the ES 250 is a 2.5-litre DOHC A25A-FKS petrol engine with multi-hole direct injectors which delivers 204hp and 247Nm of torque.
Transmission is a Direct Shift 8-speed automatic that uses an ultra-thin torque converter and a multi-plate lock up clutch to give the direct feel of a dual clutch system with the smoothness of a traditional torque converter automatic.
A 0-100kph sprint can be done in 9.1 seconds with a top speed of 210kph.
While the MacPherson strut front suspension and trailing-arm double-wishbone rear suspension are retained, the ride comfort and handling have been improved by increasing the rigidity through adding a brace to the rear suspension.
The Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) is standard and the Pre-Collision System (PCS) has been enhanced for better detection.
The other elements of LSS+ are Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with Stop & Go Function; Lane Keeping Assist; Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Lane Departure Alert (LDA); and Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) which now uses advanced BladeScan technology.
Also standard are a security system with inclination sensor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Parking Support Brake (PKSB).
The Premium and Luxury are offered with the two new colours of Sonic Iridium and Sonic Chrome in addition to the regular Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Ice Ecru Mica Metallic and Deep Blue Mica.
The F- Sport, meanwhile, can be ordered with two exclusive colours of Heat Blue Contrast Layering or White Nova Glass Flake in addition to Sonic Iridium, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Sonic Chrome and Red Mica Crystal Shine.
Lexus Malaysia president Ravindran K said the ES 250 is one of the most accomplished executive sedans on the road and elicits admiration for its impeccable engineering and styling that satisfies any discerning taste.
“Combined with the Lexus attention to detail and constant quest for excellence, the improvements to the updated model will invariably retain the Lexus ES 250 as the choice sedan to arrive in,” he said.
Lexus Malaysia deputy chairman Akio Takeyama said the ES 250 showcased the ability of Lexus engineers in creating a well-balanced and refined automobile that appeals to a wide audience.
“It is a finely-developed automobile that brings luxury motoring to anyone who appreciates excellent engineering in a vehicle that can be depended on it as a chauffeured automobile or a daily driver,” he added.
The new 2021 ES 250 is officially available at all six authorised Lexus Malaysia outlets nationwide.
