Spy Shots: Facelifted 2010 Lexus ES350 caught in Japan
by Chris Shunk on Aug 12th 2009 at 11:29AM 
After years of sales dominance in the near luxury segment, the Lexus ES350 is beginning to see increased competition from the likes of – who woulda thunk it? – Lincoln and Buick. It doesn't help much that the styling of the ES is getting long in the tooth as, but new spy shots show that the ES could be getting a makeover in 2010.Even though the ES350 isn't sold in Japan, these spy photos were apparently taken at a dealership in the land of the Rising Sun. The changes appear to be minor based on the photos, with most of the differences happening up front. The grille appears to be more prominent, with more chrome than the outgoing model.
In addition, the undisguised spy photo shows an updated lower fascia with a single slot opening and new fog lights. The front bumper also appears to have sharper lines than the 2009 model. Out back, we only see slightly updated tail lamps, while the side mirrors retain the same shape but add LED lighting.
Based on these spy shots, the ES350 doesn't look too terribly different than the 2009 model. Given the conservative nature of Lexus redesigns, we're not at all surprised. To look at all three spy photos of the 2010 ES350, head over to World Car Fans.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Serge 11:36AM (8/12/2009)
What a shock... it looks like a Toyota Camry.
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220v 12:13PM (8/20/2009)
Looks more like a Sonata to me.
JDM Life 12:06PM (8/12/2009)
The Es and the Camry are very different cars and this Es = camry crap is really old.
Most if not all of the people who say that have never sat in or driven a ES. I have and i owned a Camry also and they are NOT the same.
But people will asses anyway.
Tourian 12:13PM (8/12/2009)
@JDM Life
Because I'm sure you never show up to slam GM if they share a platform between brands. I bet you'd never say anything like the SRX being an Equinox even though GM says the paltform is different. The ES is Camry based, deal with it.
Serge 12:14PM (8/12/2009)
@JDM Life
They don't even bother to change the styling of the car... it just looks like a Camry with better paint and nicer interior.
Luis 12:30PM (8/12/2009)
@Tourian: I've never seen a comment claiming the SRX is a be-badged Equinox - it's platform sharing, not badge-engineering. GM, Ford and Chrysler are far more in that game than Toyota. The Camry/ES haven't shared a single body panel since 1990 and have moved farther apart from each other in styling since.
@Serge: I guess if it has 4-doors and a trunk it's a camry with better paint and materials. Oh right, every single visible panel inside and out too, but you FAIL to mention that.
You haters are seriously delusional.
leunamme 12:34PM (8/12/2009)
@everyone who thinks it's similar
There is a stark contrast between GM platform use and Toyota platform use. Though GM is improving, their interiors in their trucks are exactly the same (well until recently). A Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade should not be the same on the inside. Their side profiles also shouldn't be nearly identical.
Camry and ES, though very similar, do have similar lines, I agree. But if you look at each line, they're all completely different, though similar. The taillights are completely different angles (though both rectangular) their front fascias are different, Camry is bulbous the ES is sharper. The side profiles are different with the Lexus having a crease/kink in the Cpillar while the Camry apes lines from the last gen Accord in the Cpillar. The interiors are extremely different. From the center console outward you could never tell the ES was a Camry but for similar buttons.
Tourian 12:48PM (8/12/2009)
@Luis
Then you haven't been reading the SRX or any other GM comment pages. Only a true idiot would claim that real badge engineering still exists. But even though the haters realizes the obvious differences in sheetmetal, they will still claim platform engineering according to GM is somehow stupid and cheap while the same tactics employed by Toyota are pure genius. Real badge engineering, where the only thing changed is the glued emblems and the grille went out in the 80's and early 90's. Even the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade triplets have several differences to distinguish them that those cars did not have. However a SRX to Equinox comparison is as a RX350 to a Highlander.
Luis 1:56PM (8/12/2009)
@Tourian - Sticking some extra plastic bits on the front and back doesn't make it "platform-sharing".
Read leunamme's comment.
Tdogg 3:23PM (8/12/2009)
@ Tourian
Look at a Pontiac G3 and a Chevrolet Aveo and tell us that's not badge engineering.
GM has gotten alot better but they do have badge engineered cars in thier lineup.
ES is not a Camry but the problem is that all of Toyota/Lexus/Scion's vehicles have the same general styling. A Scion xB or a Lexus ES350 would look right at home with a Toyota badge on the grill. Not badge engineered but then again it would look wrong to see a Cadillac CTS with a Chevy badge in its grill.
Randy915 12:35AM (8/13/2009)
To those who think the ES and Camry's similar, go drive both back to back then reply...
Alex Hobbs 11:40AM (8/12/2009)
Still the most boring, tarted up Camry, waste of money "luxury" car money can buy.
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Other Man 11:54AM (8/12/2009)
No kidding. I'd rather spend the same money on a Camry SE 3.5 liter. More fun and better performance and it's not devoid of comfort or luxury.
Or I could skip on both and have the new Lacrosse.
JDM Life 12:13PM (8/12/2009)
This is no "tarted" up Camry.
But what do you know anyway if you even can say that?
Alex Hobbs 12:26PM (8/12/2009)
So typical of a Lexus driver JDM, they could put their emblem on a rolling office chair and you would buy it.
Danimal 1:48PM (8/12/2009)
"Or I could skip on both and have the new Lacrosse."
It's funny, but I thought the same thing. I think that's the first time my mind went to a Buick option, but I'm only 24.... interesting.
USAFMech 11:33AM (8/16/2009)
The new ES, now with more zzzzzzzz...........
Luis 2:04PM (8/12/2009)
@Other Man - Actually I'd rather have an SE 4-cyl with a 6-speed manual over the 3.5L, but I'm good with neither.
And no, a Lacrosse would never be on my radar screen.
American Made 4:58PM (8/12/2009)
@ luis the d-bag , @ yyrose22 - Shut ur Vag Please ! - I can smell u over here - Thank you and have a nice day !
dtc5 11:42AM (8/12/2009)
This is not spy shot from Japan. In fact, this is probably not a spy shot at all. The photos are taken what it looks like a dealer in Taiwan based on the buildings and signs from one of the photos.
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