We just came back from a long weekend attending a wedding in Gloucester Ma. This was all highway driving (75-80 mph) on very good roads. This 2010 with 43K miles on it is still the most comfortable and quiet car I've ever had. Smooth ride and very little cabin noise. It was an 85* weekend and sunny but not a problem with the AC and the sound system running. A little over 3 hrs one way and to beat all it still got 30 mph. As I get closer to the 50K mark where I'll sell the car it will be a difficult decision as to what I will replace it with. I'm not to keen on the face lifted front grill on the newer model but just like voting I may have to swallow hard and take the step. Most of the other cars in it's class have a stiffer suspension which could be OK but it won't be as soft. So when the time comes we'll see what's out there.

 

Yeah no secret the 5th gen ES is smoother riding than the current model. We test drove the new one and skipped it, decided on a GS actually because the ES just felt so cheapened with low quality materials, pleather, harsher ride, etc.

Dunno if it's the inevitable trend of capitalism (cheaper goods, cut corners, etc.) or if it's the trend towards more "sporty" Lexuses, but the same has been true of the current LS compared to a couple generations ago.

What other cars on the market can compare? Hesitant to branch out to the Germans because of their questionable reliability.

 

The old ES was built on the Camry chassis while the new ES is built on the Avalon chassis so I would have to compare the ride. The GS in my opinion is much stiffer ride so I wouldn't try to compare it with the Camry based ES series. My criteria is smooth , quiet , comfortable for ride and outside design . If I have to look into the GS type platforms that puts me into MB , Audi , BMW , Jaguar , Lincoln and others in that range. I may have to settle for a little firmer ride. Handling and performance is not a factor as all cars fit into my driving style .

 

ES GSV40 is one of the most comfortable and silent cars on the road.

 

I wish the suspension was a tad tighter but overall the ride quality is good.

 

I wish it was even softer.

 

why would you sell it with 50K miles. It's barely broken in. Just my two cents.

 

My answer is because I want to.

 

Maybe Hyundai Genesis. Consumer reports actually rates Hyundai Azera one point higher than the Genesis, and about equal to the new es 350. 100,000 mile warranty.

 

This. I just set my tire pressure to 28 psi and the right got just a little smoother.

 

Try the 2017 ES when it comes out, maybe you'll like it.

 

They may fit the bill although they are a little larger car then I'd want. I,m not in the market yet and may not hit 50K miles until 2018 so I'll do my homework then.

 

It will be on my list but as I just mentioned I won't most likely hit 50K miles until 2018

 

We tested curent ES and GS and have a 5th gen ES. Current ES is much rougher ride than current GS. GS is smoother than the ES now (cuz they went cheap on the ES), only "comfort" value difference is GS has louder engine noise than ES, most likely intentional as GS is meant to be more sporty than ES, but as far as ride comfort, GS beats ES now.

 

Actually I'd have to disagree with you. I used to have an 07 ES and now I have an 08 GS 350 AWD. The ES was much softer ride. I also drove the 15 ES, 14 GS and the 16 ES. The 16 ES is the softer ride I've ever driven to date, even softer than the 15 ES. I don't know how they did this, but honestly it was very comfortable car. Especially with the 17' wheels and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires. The ES has been and will always be softer ride than the GS. But the GS is more refined car.