Editing Lexus ES (section)

== {{anchor|V20|first}} First generation (V20; 1989) ==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = First generation
| image = Lexus ES 250 VZV21.jpg
| aka = [[Toyota Camry (V20)|Toyota Camry Prominent]]/[[Toyota Vista (V20)|Vista]]
| production = June 1989 – July 1991<ref name="75 Years of Toyota, Tsutsumi plant">{{cite web |url=http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/data/automotive_business/production/production/japan/general_status/tsutsumi.html |title=Tsutsumi Plant |publisher=Toyota Motor Corporation |year=2012 |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>
| assembly = Japan: [[Toyota, Aichi]] (Tsutsumi plant)<ref name="75 Years of Toyota, Tsutsumi plant"/>
| model_years = 1990–1991
| designer = Yoshiro Tada (1987)<ref name=Patent-0666961-006>{{cite web |url=https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/DE/JP-0666961-006/3CA69E1F197E72D176E571AC87AADDBFB26D2AF77DC8D85A4648678BED61A49B/35/en |title=Japan patent 0666961-006, S |date=1992-08-24 |access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref>
| body_style = 4-door [[hardtop]] [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive]]
| engine = {{unbulleted list
  | '''[[Petrol engine|Gasoline]]:'''
  | 2.5&nbsp;L ''[[Toyota VZ engine#2VZ-FE|2VZ-FE]]'' [[V6 engine|V6]]
  }}
| transmission = {{unbulleted list
  | 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
  | 4-speed ''[[Toyota A transmission#A540E|A540E]]'' [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]
  }}
| wheelbase = {{convert|102.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="90 specs">{{cite web |url=http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/es-250/1990/features-specs.html |title=1990 Lexus ES 250 – Features & Specs |publisher=Edmunds |access-date=2014-03-10}}</ref>
| length = {{convert|183.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="90 specs"/>
| width = {{convert|66.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="90 specs"/>
| height = {{convert|53.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="90 specs"/>
| model_code = V20
}}

=== 1989–1991 ===
{{Multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | width = 220
| image1 = 1990 Lexus ES250 in black, rear left.jpg
| caption1 = 1990 Lexus ES250
| image2 = Lexus ES250 Interior.jpg
| caption2 = Interior
}}
The first generation ES (VZV21) debuted in January 1989 at the [[North American International Auto Show#1989|North American International Auto Show]] in Detroit as part of the launch of the Lexus division. In order to avoid introducing the nameplate with only one model, the [[Lexus LS|LS 400]], Lexus quickly developed the ES to debut alongside their flagship sedan. The smaller representative of the initial two-sedan Lexus lineup was designated the '''ES 250''', and powered by the Camry's 2.5&nbsp;L, {{convert|156|hp|kW|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} V6, which was aimed directly at the [[Acura Legend#First generation (1986)|Acura Legend]]. The ES 250 was based on the [[Toyota Camry (V20)|Camry Prominent]]/[[Toyota Vista (V20)|Vista]] (V20). Design patents were filed on 17 November 1987, at the Japan Patent Office under the patent number 0666961-006 and registered on 8 August 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cars-directory.net/gallery/toyota/vista/1988/toyota_vista_2792608_p.html |title=1988 Toyota Vista – photographs |publisher=Cars-directory.net |access-date=2010-10-17}}</ref><ref name=Patent-0666961-006/>

On the exterior, the ES 250 shared the same general body style and overall dimensions as its Toyota counterparts, but had a more prominent grille, bigger tail lights, chrome trim, frameless windows, and distinct wheel design similar to its LS brethren. Inside the cabin, the ES 250 featured a six-speaker [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]] sound system, genuine wood trim, one-touch power windows, and leather seats. A four-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] or five-speed [[manual transmission]] was offered. The Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission (ECT) featured "normal" and "power" modes.

Safety features included a driver's SRS airbag and anti-lock brakes. In typical specification, the ES 250 further included 15-inch alloy wheels, a power driver's seat, power moonroof, and CD player.<ref name=ES250review>{{cite web |url=http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/es250/review.html |title=Lexus ES 250 Review |year=2008 |publisher=Edmunds |access-date=2009-01-10}}</ref> Leather upholstery was common equipment,<ref name=ES250review/> despite being listed as an option, while some ES 250s were also produced with cloth interiors.

In September 1989, the ES 250 and the flagship LS 400 went on sale in the United States. The ES 250 was marketed as the "luxury sedan of sports sedans," and carried a U.S. market suggested base price of approximately $22,000. During the first month of release, the ES 250 logged 1,216 units in sales.<ref name=executive>{{cite web |url=http://www.tuninglinx.com/html/lexus-es-chronolgy-1.html |title=Lexus ES Chronology |publisher=Tuninglinx.com |access-date=2010-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130080606/http://tuninglinx.com/html/lexus-es-chronolgy-1.html |archive-date=2010-01-30 }}</ref> However, these numbers were eclipsed by the larger LS sedan, which unlike the ES was built on a unique and all-new platform. The original LS had been envisioned as a standalone model, but Lexus dealerships had asked for an additional vehicle to accompany its launch. Due to its similarities to the Camry, some viewed the ES 250 as a placeholder product of [[badge engineering]] and the vehicle ultimately did not sell as well as its larger counterpart. Initial perception of the ES led some to believe all the development time and research spent creating the larger LS showed that they overlooked one of the reasons the LS was developed, which was the 1986 [[Acura Legend]], so it seems that the appearance of the LS was shrunk to fit the ES so as to compete with the Legend.

Production totaled 19,534 units in 1990 and 17,942 units in 1991, most for the automatic transmission model. Production commenced in June 1989 at Tsutsumi,<ref name="75 Years of Toyota, Tsutsumi plant"/> with the first 1990 ES 250 rolling off the production line on 30 August 1989. Production ended on 5 July 1991. Because of its relatively brief production run, the ES 250 is a rare model on US roads today.

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