Since we are in the market for a new car, we were excited to be given the chance to test drive for a week, a Lexus ES350. We are happy to say that they continue to impress us every time. The common trait amongst the Lexus line is the luxury and the incredibly smooth ride.
The ES 350 is considered a mid-size luxury sedan, and there is plenty of luxury in it, and it is a great size as well. I will get into the features shortly, but the thing that was most impressive to me is that this car competes, and holds its own with other cars in the category while offering a significant bargain priced at 15 – 30 thousand less than the majority of their competitor’s “loaded” versions. The ES 350 starts at under $39,000 and with all the options tops out around $49,000.
The ES 350 is an entry level luxury sedan and makes a perfect car for travelling with the family. There is plenty of space in the trunk, and the backseat is huge. The kids will be perfectly comfortable in back, as would any adult. This is technically a mid-size sedan, but it feels much larger on the inside.
This is a very comfortable car, the plush leather and stylish trim just engulf you in a lavish feel. The ES 350 looks and feels the part of a luxury sedan, but the exterior has an aggressive yet stylish appearance.
This aggressive appearance is justified with the V6, 268 HP engine, the Lexus ES 350 has great acceleration for a mid-size sedan. You step on the gas pedal and this car takes off – the day I returned the ES 350, I made the mistake of thinking my regular car could cross 3 lanes of traffic to get to a turn around and when I hit the gas, there was just nothing there and I nearly had a big ol’ truck in my backseat. So the ES 350 has plenty of pickup to go along with its smooth ride. The ES 350 gets 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, my experience was pretty similar to this, I was around 20 in the city and 30 on the highway with a blend of 23, but I was mainly driving in the city with my experience. You also have your options of driving modes with the ability to switch between normal, sport and eco.
Lexus also offers a hybrid version, the ES 300h, this is a similar car in appearance and style, gets 40 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, some of the acceleration is missing, but you make up for that at the pump.
This car is all tech’ed out too. The 8 in high resolution LCD screen is huge and very crisp, with a backup camera standard with all models. Also, the ES 350 comes with the Lexus Enform system and app suite. The Enform platform allows you to use all sorts of fun apps, and this platform allows your phone (with the app) to work with your entertainment system seamlessly in this sweet ride. For this year, Enform was updated to work with your iPhone and Siri for even more hands free options. Once again, this Lexus comes with the Remote Touch controller – it is joystick/mouse combo that people either love or don’t. It takes some getting used to, but overall it works perfectly fine and more than capable of getting the job done.
As a family member, safety is always an extremely important aspect of a car. The Lexus ES 350 is loaded with safety options, it has a Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Pre-Collision System which are part of the ES’s standard features. There is also a Lane Departure Alarm and an Advanced Airbag System too. All of these features help to make the Lexus ES 350 a safe, yet very cool car.
Overall I loved my time with the Lexus ES 350, it is a very impressive entry level luxury sedan. It is a much more practical (price-wise) vehicle compared to a number of its competitors and offers a ton that you need to see for yourself.
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That’s more car than I’ll ever need. But very nice.
Wow that looks really nice. I would love this car.
What a beautiful car. Thank you for the review.
This is sure a beauty, and sounds like a great vehicle. Out of my price range, but a nice vehicle.
I want a Lexus!!! When people ask me what kind of car I would buy, I always answer a Lexus. I know it’s above my price range but I’m in love with this car. Reading your review, I know I have good taste and I really, really want one. I have never even been inside one, but fell in love anyway. Some day I hope to be a proud owner of a Lexus!!!