ES350 different enough than avalon or Camry?
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 1,034
From: Illinois
With having owned Lexus vehicles for the last 15 years or so, I haven't seen much difference at all between the service experience at the Lexus dealer and that at the Toyota dealer.
The waiting area at the local Toyota dealer is every bit as nice as the waiting area at the Lexus dealer with nice furniture, big screen TVs, Starbucks coffee, other snacks, Wi-Fi, etc. Just like at the Lexus dealer, the Toyota dealer always has loaner vehicles available.
The only two differences between the Lexus dealer and the Toyota dealer are that, at the Toyota dealer, the loaner vehicle is likely to be a Camry, instead of an ES, and the final bill at the Toyota dealer will be 1/2 or less of what it would have been at the Lexus dealer for the same work done with the same parts.
The waiting area at the local Toyota dealer is every bit as nice as the waiting area at the Lexus dealer with nice furniture, big screen TVs, Starbucks coffee, other snacks, Wi-Fi, etc. Just like at the Lexus dealer, the Toyota dealer always has loaner vehicles available.
The only two differences between the Lexus dealer and the Toyota dealer are that, at the Toyota dealer, the loaner vehicle is likely to be a Camry, instead of an ES, and the final bill at the Toyota dealer will be 1/2 or less of what it would have been at the Lexus dealer for the same work done with the same parts.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 224
Likes: 52
From: NY
not sure if the TTV6 is due to better gas mpg and how manufacturers have to have a certain avg mpg across their lineup.
but a potential buyer of a LS is most likely not care about MPG.
had the chance to drive a 2009 ls460 for 2 weeks while on a road trip. Even though it's a 10 year old car, it drove better than my ES by a LONGSHOT. I think the V8 on that has somehwre around 300 horsepower if i'm not mistaken. Very smooth acceleration, i was impressed.
but a potential buyer of a LS is most likely not care about MPG.
had the chance to drive a 2009 ls460 for 2 weeks while on a road trip. Even though it's a 10 year old car, it drove better than my ES by a LONGSHOT. I think the V8 on that has somehwre around 300 horsepower if i'm not mistaken. Very smooth acceleration, i was impressed.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,730
Likes: 4,074
From: Maryland
With having owned Lexus vehicles for the last 15 years or so, I haven't seen much difference at all between the service experience at the Lexus dealer and that at the Toyota dealer.
The waiting area at the local Toyota dealer is every bit as nice as the waiting area at the Lexus dealer with nice furniture, big screen TVs, Starbucks coffee, other snacks, Wi-Fi, etc. Just like at the Lexus dealer, the Toyota dealer always has loaner vehicles available.
The only two differences between the Lexus dealer and the Toyota dealer are that, at the Toyota dealer, the loaner vehicle is likely to be a Camry, instead of an ES, and the final bill at the Toyota dealer will be 1/2 or less of what it would have been at the Lexus dealer for the same work done with the same parts.
The waiting area at the local Toyota dealer is every bit as nice as the waiting area at the Lexus dealer with nice furniture, big screen TVs, Starbucks coffee, other snacks, Wi-Fi, etc. Just like at the Lexus dealer, the Toyota dealer always has loaner vehicles available.
The only two differences between the Lexus dealer and the Toyota dealer are that, at the Toyota dealer, the loaner vehicle is likely to be a Camry, instead of an ES, and the final bill at the Toyota dealer will be 1/2 or less of what it would have been at the Lexus dealer for the same work done with the same parts.
not sure if the TTV6 is due to better gas mpg and how manufacturers have to have a certain avg mpg across their lineup.
but a potential buyer of a LS is most likely not care about MPG.
had the chance to drive a 2009 ls460 for 2 weeks while on a road trip. Even though it's a 10 year old car, it drove better than my ES by a LONGSHOT. I think the V8 on that has somehwre around 300 horsepower if i'm not mistaken. Very smooth acceleration, i was impressed.
but a potential buyer of a LS is most likely not care about MPG.
had the chance to drive a 2009 ls460 for 2 weeks while on a road trip. Even though it's a 10 year old car, it drove better than my ES by a LONGSHOT. I think the V8 on that has somehwre around 300 horsepower if i'm not mistaken. Very smooth acceleration, i was impressed.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 675
Likes: 23
From: Texas
The Camry was great but once we started driving the Avalon my wife fell in love.
She actually said it beat our 2005 LS 430.
I'm tempted to test drive a 2018 ES 350 tomorrow to compare.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 422
From: Alberta
Wise idea. You (or she who must be obeyed), may or may not find subtle differences that swing you towards one or the other. One thing I never mentioned when I selected the ES, I did not like the front end styling of the "great basking shark" Avalon. Little things can make a real difference. I just got back from a blast up to Calgary and back...400 km return trip. Averaged 7.7l/100 km with half the trip at 120-130 kph and half at 110. Bit of a cross breeze today both ways. You probably won't find any difference between the Avalon and ES on that score.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,476
Likes: 959
From: IL
If you want a true comparison, test a 2019 ES. The 2018 ES is on the old platform.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 675
Likes: 23
From: Texas
We found an improved driving experience with this car than the 2019 Avalon.
Last edited by tradosauru; Apr 7, 2019 at 11:27 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,730
Likes: 4,074
From: Maryland
Just helped a buddy buy a 2016 ES who also was considering a new Avalon. It’s a nice car, but it’s not an LS430 unless that LS430 is well worn.
From a tech standpoint obviously it blows the LS430 away, but it’s nowhere near the ride refinement or power train refinement.
From a tech standpoint obviously it blows the LS430 away, but it’s nowhere near the ride refinement or power train refinement.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 675
Likes: 23
From: Texas
What blows the LS430 away?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,730
Likes: 4,074
From: Maryland
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 404
Likes: 7
From: FL
ES is built on Avalon platform.
Lexus gets a extra year warranty. sunroof is standard, better interior, better resale.
at the time it was 6500 difference between similar cars. and extra 2500 for the hybrid.
Lexus gets a extra year warranty. sunroof is standard, better interior, better resale.
at the time it was 6500 difference between similar cars. and extra 2500 for the hybrid.
Rookie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 3
From: CA
They do all drive similar if you spec the same powertrain. Avalon feels smoother than Camry due to the extra length and drives quite nicely. ES will be slightly quieter than Avalon with an elevated interior. The interior, ML sound and HID lights were incentives for me to choose a higher mileage ES UL over a lower mileage but lower spec Avalon. If it was a higher spec Avalon?...perhaps I could have gone with that but I've been an ES guy for a while now so I love the brand.