.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=USC20LEC161A0101.jpg&width=390','3/4 Front Glamour 2012 Lexus ES 350','3/4 Front Glamour 2012 Lexus ES 350'); "3/4 Front Glamour 2012 Lexus ES 350")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=CAC00LEC161A01300.jpg&width=390','OEM Exterior Primary 2012 Lexus ES 350','OEM Exterior Primary 2012 Lexus ES 350'); "OEM Exterior Primary 2012 Lexus ES 350")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=CAC00LEC161A01301.jpg&width=390','OEM Exterior 2012 Lexus ES 350','OEM Exterior 2012 Lexus ES 350'); "OEM Exterior 2012 Lexus ES 350")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=CAC00LEC161A01302.jpg&width=390','OEM Exterior 2012 Lexus ES 350','OEM Exterior 2012 Lexus ES 350'); "OEM Exterior 2012 Lexus ES 350")
Save
Lexus ES 350 Review Summary
What reviewers liked most about the Lexus ES 350:
The old car packed only 218 hp, so the ES350's new, more potent engine addresses a genuine weakness.
- AutomobileFit and finish is impressive, and the car is very quiet.
- Consumer ReportsStrong yet quiet performance, more luxury than ever before, excellent crash test scores.
- Edmunds.comThe ride is smooth, the engine is smooth, the transmission operation is flawless, and everything is quiet.
- New Car Test Drive
What reviewers liked least about the Lexus ES 350:
Handling is not sporty but is ultimately secure.
- Consumer ReportsPricey options packages, competitors offer as much or more power and room for less money.
- Edmunds.com
Best one-liners about the Lexus ES 350:
It delivers precisely what people expect of a Lexus, and, for that reason, we expect it will remain the division's most popular sedan.
- AutomobileA supple ride, smooth yet potent performance and a gorgeous interior make the 2007 Lexus ES 350 the one entry-level luxury sedan that you'll never want to upgrade from.
- Edmunds.com
Lexus ES 350 Introduction
The Lexus ES 350 is a mid-size sedan that celebrates smoothness, quietude and sophistication. The Lexus ES doesn't suffer the hard ride of a German sports sedan. You can safely sip a cappuccino on the way to work. The ride is smooth, the engine is smooth, the six-speed automatic is flawless, everything is quiet.
The ES 350 is quick and responsive, benefitting from a newly developed 272-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine. Lexus says it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, a solid performance. Yet the ES 350 is also certified to the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standard.
Changes for 2009 are minor, including a new exterior color and some slight pricing alterations. The ES was redesigned for the 2007 model year.
The Lexus ES series has come a long way. When Toyota launched its premium Lexus brand in late 1989, its entry-level model was the ES 250, with a thinly disguised Camry chassis and powertrain under a mildly upgraded body and interior. With each succeeding generation, the ES has better met the needs of the entry-luxury segment, with more room, more space, more power, and more standard equipment. And more safety features.
Lexus presents the ES and IS as a one-two challenge to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35 and M35, Audi A6, Saab 9-3, Volvo S60, and a host of domestics in this popular class. The ES is designed to emphasize ride quality and smoothness, while the IS is oriented around sharp handling and is designed to be a driver's car. The ES uses front-wheel drive, while the IS is rear-wheel drive. We like both, depending on the mood and the task at hand.
The 2009 Lexus ES comes as one model, the ES 350.
Lexus ES 350 Walkaround
The ES 350 continues the Lexus L-Finesse design theme seen previously on three concept cars and the GS and IS sedans. The entire form seems to emanate from the grille and flow back over the car in hard lines. The look brought a new level of slickness, with a wind-tunnel-proven drag coefficient of just 0.28, making the ES 350 inherently quieter and more fuel-efficient than before.
The grille is subdued, the headlamp units are smaller and less obtrusive, and the accent line along the side is raised to suggest more musculature under the skin. The ES 350 looks like it belongs in a Lexus showroom.
In fact, the ES 350 has been consciously upsized to roughly the same dimensions as the original 1990 LS 400. The wheelbase, at 109.2 inches, is more than two inches longer than that of the 2006 ES 330; the body is wider by 0.4 inches, the track is wider by 1.2 inches, and the body has crisper, shorter overhangs along with a new front, side and rear appearance that's much more upscale than any previous ES. The ES 350 is also about 110 pounds heavier than the ES 330 due to the addition of more safety features and standard equipment.
About the only exterior customizing you can do other than paint and wheels is a choice of forward lighting, from standard projector beam to optional high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with an adaptive lighting function, which swings the headlamps through an arc of up to 15 degrees when turning. There are 10 exterior colors to choose from, plus the Pebble Beach Edition's exclusive Truffle Mica.
Lexus ES 350 Interior Features
The ES 350 is roomy and comfortable. It has as much rear head and shoulder room, and more rear legroom, than the 1990 LS 400, and its rear floor is flat and can accommodate large American feet under the seats.
The interior of the Lexus ES represents a quantum leap over pre-2007 models. The driving ambience is superb, with good sightlines, hooded instruments and crisp graphics, a 10-way power seat and standard tilt/telescope steering wheel. Fit and finish inside are exemplary.
The real wood trim is from a matched set that is serial-numbered for future replacement, if necessary. The thick, fat steering wheel is a pleasure to use. There are three interior colors to choose from, in cloth or two grades of leather.
The instrument panel and center stack are more driver-centered, engaging and involving than on previous generations. The instruments are deeply tunneled, using white LED lighting and the Optitron electroluminescent displays that are part of all Lexus models, with their eye-pleasing startup routine. The trip computer monitors a dozen functions. The ES features push-button engine starting and the SmartAccess key fob.
With 14.7 cubic feet of cargo space, the ES nearly matches the trunk size of the original LS 400 flagship.
The ES is insulated well. At cruising speeds, it's extremely quiet, in part due to its acoustic-control laminated windshield.
Lexus ES 350 Driving Impressions
The ES 350 benefits from an all-aluminum engine with all the latest technologies built in. This engine is a honey and comes paired with a six-speed automatic.
The ES 350 is quick to respond, the engine is as smooth and quiet as you would expect, and the transmission operation is flawless, automatic or manual mode, downshift or upshift. Engine and transmission are linked by several electronic modules and the electronic throttle, and there were no glitches we could find. The engine and transmission are isolation-mounted with an electro-hydraulic system to cancel vibration at idle. Lexus quotes a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, which is competitive in the segment.
Traction control and electronic stability control adds to the driver's confidence. The front struts and multi-link rear suspension are both very well isolated from the rest of the car, making for a quiet, smooth ride, with greater control of pitch and body roll than in pre-2007 models. We'd like a little more steering feel in corners and on the highway, but otherwise the speed-related power steering is good and solid.
The brakes are average in size for this class, but we saw no sign of brake fade after a hard workout. The ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control are programmed to intervene early to keep the car going in the intended direction.
Lexus ES 350 Final Word
The Lexus ES 350 is quick and quiet at the same time. It's screwed together better than a Swiss watch, and it has sex appeal. With its new design and all the new standard equipment, the ES 350 ranks among the fiercest competitors in the entry-luxury segment. We think it's an excellent choice among luxury sedans, particularly when comfort and ride quality are priorities.
New Car Test Drive correspondent Jim McCraw filed this report from Hawaii.
Build and price your new Lexus ES 350 in a few easy steps. Our Vehicle Experts are ready to help you find the best price in your area for FREE!
New Car Quick Quote
Find more information on Lexus vehicles
- Affiliate Program
- |Advertising Opportunities
- |Buy Auto Leads
- |About Us
- |More Info
- |Need Help?
- |Mobile
- |Terms of Use
- |Privacy
- |Jobs
CARSDIRECT IS AN INTERNET BRANDS COMPANY. COPYRIGHT 1999-2012 CARSDIRECT.COM, INC.