All-Wheel Drive and a Special Edition for the 2021 Lexus ES

In order to survive, sedans have to turn to all-wheel drive, one of the selling points that have made many motorists turn to SUVs. As drivers in Canada, we’re not complaining.

In recent years we’ve thus seen a number of 4-door sedans add all-wheel-drive variants to their lineup. Now it’s Lexus making the move with its ES model. The idea of integrating AWD had been circulating when this generation of models was launched, but nothing had been announced until now.

The version with all-wheel traction will be called the ES 250 AWD. Which tells you the essentials about the powertrain that will serve it: a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. Yes, it's the same one that powers the Toyota Camry AWD variant. In terms of power, we're left with numbers (203 hp, 182 lb-ft of torque) that seem appropriate for the Toyota sedan, but perhaps less so for the Lexus.

Logic would have dictated that all-wheel drive be associated with the 3.5L V6 engine, but word on the grapevine is that the very configuration of the model made it complicated. In fact, it's been said that the task of adding AWD to the Camry wasn't an easy one either.

Discover Shopicar! All new makes and models and all current promotions.

Read more