The TLX is a design-first sedan with polarizing trade-offs. Its aggressive exterior wins universal praise, but the cramped cabin, smaller than a Civic inside despite 5-series footprint, is a deal-breaker for many. The 2015-2020 V6 models suffer systematic rod bearing failures requiring engine replacement, though the current-gen (2021+) uses a different powertrain. The Type S looks compelling at $53k base but disappoints enthusiasts: it's a full second slower to 60 than the M340i while costing nearly as much after options and dealer markups. Community consensus: buy it for the looks and SH-AWD if you don't need rear seat space, but the Accord 2.0T or German rivals offer better value for most buyers. Production ends 2025.
If you want a luxury sedan that'll outlive your mortgage and still feel special at 200,000 miles, the 2019-2025 ES is the one to buy, owners report zero drama, 50+ mpg from the hybrid, and an interior that hasn't aged a day. It's the last ES with the smooth V6, and the last one that feels like a proper Lexus before the brand lost the plot. The 2026 redesign strips out the V6, replaces buttons with touch-capacitive surfaces, and swaps hand-stitched luxury for Tesla minimalism that screams 'cost-cutting.' Nobody's driven one yet, so the hate is all aesthetic, but when a brand kills its best engine, ditches the iconic L logo for spelled-out branding, and makes the interior look like a rental car, that's a red flag. Buy the outgoing generation while you still can, it's the last ES that knows what it is.