Tedster

Consumer Reports annual rankings in the April 2013 issue listing midsized luxury vehicles are as follows:

1. Audi A6
2. Infinite M37
3. Hyundai Genesis
4. Mercedes Benz E350
5. Cadilalc CTS
6. Lexus GS 350
7. Acura TL
8. Lexus ES 300H
9. BMW 535
10. Lexus ES 350
11. Cadillac XTS
12. Volvo S380
13. LIncoln MKS

Apparently Consumer Reports dinged the ES for its handling and agility relative to the other vehicles in the category. I personally find the ES 300H's handling exceptional. Of course I didn't have the benefit of driving these vehicles on a slalom course, I just drive on surface streets and highways. CR did rank Lexus #1 in reliability with 100% of satisfied customers recommending this brand to others (only Acura achieved 100% also).

Customer vehicle recommendations:
Lexus 100%
Acura 100%
Audi 75%
BMW 56%
Mercedes Benz 57%
Hyundai 67%
Infiniti 75%
Cadillac 20%
Buick 40%
Volvo 50%

I find customer recommendations more objective than the subjective opinions of the CR editors. If you live on windy roads, take CRs recommendation. I prefer not spending my time in a repair shop over weaving in and out of traffic.

Fly4u

I've learned to appreciate CU's dissemination of auto reliability, satisfaction, and technical summaries. Everything else is frequently biased and subjective. The 2013 auto issue was published during my initial active consideration of the ES300h. I read the review, and shrugged. The purchase was made a few days later!

LexRuger

The TL handles pretty well, yet ranked kind of low. Maybe they didn't like the hideous front end.

gemigniani

Hyundai Genesis is the only other car I'd consider from a comfortable, quiet ride and seating comfort standpoint. Plus it's interior furnishings are high quality. But I'm a little scared of Hyundai's lack luster long term reliability record and reduced resale value as compared to an ES. Plus the Genesis would be alot harder to resell since it's not too popular. Audi's & BMW's don't feel isolated enough from the road for my taste, have reliability woes and harder seats than the Asian cars. Less isolated ride + harder seats = more fatigue on long drives. Infiniti's/Nissan's have user unfriendly electronics and dash controls whereas Toyotas are more straightforward and much more legible (e.g. no need to put on your reading glasses to change the climate control settings on the ES).

unowned

Nobody buys an ES for handling or agility. If that's a priority you're better off with something else.

quoted for truth, the current Acura front bumper and rear bumper are definitely a turn off.

steig

I agree. Buy for Luxury, reliability, etc.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Agree the handling in the ES isn't that great, feels better than before though, but in terms of sporty def not. It's not meant to be sporty though, more for luxury and comfort. I thinks it's great it handles better than a BMW 535

Photios

I agree. I actually love the way my car handles and feels!

SW17LS

I think saying the ES handles better than a 535 is more than a little bit of a stretch. The ES being a FWD drivetrain is just never going to have the neutral balanced handling of a RWD car.

I too feel that list is kind of interesting. I loved the A6, but for instance I was completely uninterested in the E350 and the M37. The M37 is archaic compared with the other cars on that list, save the Genesis and the E350.

Have you driven the new ones? I thought the A6 had maybe the best ride and drive in the class, better than the standard GS if not maybe the car with AVS. The 5 series is also very smooth and quiet now.

LexRuger

Due to poor weight distribution, there aren't many good handling FWD sedans. ES has more understeer than my 2010 Maxima did.