Lexus ES 350

The Lexus ES is a four-door, five passenger luxury sedan. The Lexus ES has been a staple of the Japanese luxury car maker’s lineup since 1989. Initially developed on the Toyota Camry platform, the two vehicles have remained linked through close to 20 years of side by side development. Over time, the ES has come to differ from its more pedestrian cousin by applying innovations such as light weight suspensions, projector headlights and cutting edge safety systems. The look of the ES has also managed to be different enough from the Camry so as not to raise too many eyebrows amongst cross-shopping customers.

For 2008, the Lexus ES bears the fruits of a 2007 re-design that gives the vehicle a brand new body shape intended to bring it in line with the GS and the IS family of vehicles. A more streamlined front end gives way to smooth, uncomplicated side panels that continue the ES tradition of simple styling. The front-wheel drive platform is available with a single drivetrain option, the ES 350, which uses a 3.5 liter V6 engine to generate 272 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque. Matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the ES can reach 60 miles per hour from a standing start in just under 7 seconds – hardly spectacular numbers but well in line with the demographic that Lexus is seeking with this vehicle. The ES is intended to capture those drivers who are more interested in comfort than flat out performance.

In this department, the ES 350 does not disappoint. The base model comes with power cloth seats, power windows and power door locks, as well as dual climate controls and a sunroof. However, it is easy to step up to the Premium package which upgrades seats and interior trim to leather, as well as adding a memory option for the front seats and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The more expensive Ultra-Luxury package introduces finer leather hides, wood trim and a panoramic glass roof, as well as HID headlights and fog lights which swivel with the steering wheel to keep the road properly illuminated. Buyers can also opt for a rear spoiler, a navigation system, satellite radio and nicer alloy rims. The inside of the ES is very comfortable for all passengers in terms of leg and head room, with a large trunk complimenting a cabin that feels well constructed and safe. One never feels as though they are merely inside a Camry with leather seats.

As mentioned above, the ES 350 is no match for German sport sedans, but it does provide a smooth and easy driving experience that many luxury buyers are looking for. The ES is perfect for those who desire a vehicle which can be driven with a minimum of thought or driver interaction, essentially a very comfortable way to get from point A to point B. With fuel mileage of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway, the Lexus ES 350 is also one of the more frugal forms of luxury transportation currently on the market. The 2009 Lexus ES is continuing with very few changes from the previous model year. There is a new panoramic glass roof that is now available as an option. There is also a new exterior paint color available- Matador Red Mica. In addition, there is a new edition of the vehicle available. The Pebble Beach Edition is a limited-edition version of the Lexus ES that will have three color choices available; an interior trim that is unique to this special edition and it will feature 17-inch wheels with seven spokes.

The Lexus ES is available as the Lexus ES 350 and the Pebble Beach Edition. Both trim levels have a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 272 horsepower. They only transmission type available on the ES is a six-speed automatic.

The 2009 Lexus ES comes standard with 17-inch wheels made from alloy, accents made from real wood, automatic climate control with dual zones, and an auxiliary audio jack, keyless ignition, keyless entry, power windows that go up and down with one touch, power front seats with 10-ways adjustments, a power steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, a six-CD changer with an eight-speaker audio system, a moonroof that works with one touch and a trip computer. It comes with safety features such as side curtain airbags, an antiskid system, ABS, side airbags in the front and rear and front knee airbags. The Pre-Collision System, which gets the airbags ready for deployment when it senses that a collision will occur, is an option.

Other options in the Lexus ES include chrome wheels, memory front seat adjustments, leather upholstery, park assist, ventilated and heated front seats, connectivity to Bluetooth technology, adaptive cruise control, satellite radio, xenon HID headlights that are adaptive, a Mark Levinson audio and video system with 14 speakers and surround sound, a rear power sunshade and a navigation system with a rearview camera and voice activation.