Does the Lexus ES Have Any Shortcomings?
The new Lexus ES 350 is as good as it gets when it comes to comfort and ride quality. But is there any aspect of the design of this Lexus that is... less than brilliant?
Eye-Catching
The ES 350 adopts the least styling attributes in Lexus' new wave of imposing cars. It's large and elongated with smooth body lines that arise from the signature Spindle grille. The look of this beautiful luxury sedan is sure to catch the eye.
Photos Courtesy of Car and Driver
Interior
The interior has been designed meticulously to complement the flawless external appearance. Sinewy creases along the door-panel leather and armrest join the winding stitching lines across the seats. There are striking door handles and textured steering wheel buttons that add extra personality. An optional Luxury package gets you wood trims on the dash, door panels, and console. You also get soft leather, rear sunshades, and acoustic side glass.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Some Cryptic Silence
Lexus has gone ahead and made the ES 350 quieter than its predecessor. At 70 mph, the car records 67 decibels of muted road and wind noise. This is a decibel lower than in the previous model. Occupants are sure to enjoy a ride that blocks out much of the external noise.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
A not-so-quiet engine
The engine, on the other hand, is actually louder than that of the previous ES. When heavily worked, it records 2 decibels higher. The 3.5-liter V6 churns out 302 horsepower, making a rumbling noise at full throttle.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Speed
The 2019 ES 350 is a bit slower than the car it replaces in acceleration. The V6 allows it to get from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The delivery is analog and takes place through the front wheels. An EPA highway estimate puts the car's fuel economy at 24 mpg.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Ride Quality
When changing direction, it does not lean as the older model and neither does it bound around at the turn of its steering wheel. It's now stoic and responds swiftly and accurately when prodded by its driver. There's a new handling competence that allows you to drive down a freeway with little to no steering input.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Comfort
The team at Lexus has done a lot to ensure that the ES 350 provides as much comfort as possible. The chassis is built to limit the amount vibration, harshness, and noise getting into the cabin. The suspension absorbs all the undulations and bumps experienced along the way. Additional comfort can be added with the help of the F Sport and Ultra Luxury packages.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Standard Safety Kit
Every ES comes packed with standard passive and active safety features. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 includes a pre-collision mechanism with lane centering, lane-departure warning, automatic front braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Buyers can take things a notch higher by opting for LED headlights and a Top Safety Pick+ configuration. An additional $1,900 package gets you a blind-spot monitor, a surround-view camera, and multiple parking sensors.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
The One Flaw?
The one major flaw that's bound to irk buyers is the awkward 12.3-inch infotainment system. It's operated via a laptop-like touchpad. The touchscreens and central control knobs normally found in other competitive models are nowhere to be seen. Flicking your finger across the pad allows you to move to the next menu item. While at it, there's a loud sound that is produced with every click. Getting the cursor on the desired item takes practice. It's also going to take away a lot of your driving attention. This is an area of complaint by many Lexus customers.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Price
Price for the ES 350 starts at $40,625. Options could easily get this figure past $50,000. If you don't mind the quirky infotainment system, the ES 350 is a fetching car to get hold of. It combines comfort and luxury the way a true Lexus should.
>>Join the conversation about the Lexus ES 350 right here in the Club Lexus forum.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.