2007 Lexus ES 350 Review

Lexus ES 350: Driving Impressions – There's no denying that tastes change with age. Take cars, for example. For first-time drivers, fresh from the DMV with their license to Freedom Highway, the ride of choice is heavily influenced by how cute or cool it is, its color, possibly how fast or loud it is, or maybe how many watts the sound system puts out. Others are satisfied with a box that rolls on its own and keeps them out the rain. We eventually graduate into the working world with its regular paycheck, and subsequently trade up for a newer vehicle, typically more reliable and powerful, or at least appearing more presentable in the company parking lot. As the years go on, our left legs grow tired of manipulating the clutch in rush hour traffic and the rigid sports-coupe suspension is a bit much for the new parent who has been up all night. That's when we seek out cars such as the 2007 Lexus ES 350. It's attractive enough to draw some looks, spacious enough for a small family traveling to the in-laws, and its immensely comfortable cabin provides a welcome respite after a trying day at work. The $33,865 base price puts the ES 350 in the affordable ball park (for entry-luxury), and though the soft suspension won't allow for any auto-crossing, the 272-horsepower engine hauls tail when the driver wants to school some high school kids in their punked-out Civics. That injection of power is part of front-wheel-drive ES 350's redesign for 2007. Gone is last year's 218-horsepower 3.3 liter V6 and five-speed automatic transmission combo, replaced by a 3.5-liter, dual overhead cam, 24-valve V6 with variable-valve timing and a ULEV emissions rating. This new powerplant offers up 272 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm and is mated to a six-speed manually-interactive automatic transmission. Its 3,580-lb. curb weight reflects a weight gain of about 100 pounds, though EPA-rated highway fuel economy has actually increased to 30 mpg, while a city rating of 21 mpg remains unchanged. Our week-long test on the roads of southern California yielded 20.9 mpg. In addition to the more powerful engine, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 boasts a longer wheelbase, lower ground clearance, and slight increases in shoulder room despite a marginal loss in overall width. A suspension system consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear works in concert with a speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering assembly, as well as stability and traction control systems, to help the driver maintain control. Behind 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 Michelin Energy MXV4 tires are four-wheel antilock disc brakes, bolstered by electronic brake force distribution and electronic brake assistance technology. Inside, the 2007 Lexus ES 350, available in one trim only, plays host to a long list of standard equipment. The $33,865 base price includes a $695 destination charge and represents an increase of only $850 over the 2006 model, despite numerous improvements. Among the ES 350's creature comforts are a power sunroof, genuine burl walnut interior trim, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with secondary controls, power cloth seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Of course, as an entry-level luxury vehicle, there are also items like an ignition button, a premium sound system with a six-disc CD changer and MP3 player, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a trip computer with a tire pressure monitor. Safety items include front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and front knee airbags. Rear side airbags are found on the options list, as is a Pre-Collision System with Adaptive Cruise Control Package which includes active pretensioners, active electronic brake assistance, and intelligent cruise control. Also offered are a Bluetooth Audio package, heated and cooled front seats, a power rear sunshade, an upgraded audio system with navigation, and multiple premium and luxury packages that feature leather upholstery, power seats with additional adjustment and memory settings, rain-sensing wipers, and more. Four packages were featured on our 2007 Lexus ES 350 test car, and when added to the base price and $695 destination charge, brought the total tally to $46,045. That's about $12,000 above the base price, in exchange for which we enjoyed an electronic parking aid system ($500); the Pre-Collision System package ($2,250); a Navigation/Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package with Bluetooth compatibility, voice-activated controls, a rear camera, 14-speaker surround sound, and a six-disc CD changer ($4,050); and finally, an Ultra Luxury Package that added perforated leather upholstery, memory settings, a wood and leather steering wheel, a rear glass roof panel, rear side airbags, 17-inch Graphite alloy wheels, and more ($5,380).

Performance

Boasting 272 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2007 Lexus ES 350's 3.5-liter V6 engine is perfectly suited for the car, offering brisk acceleration around town. The six-shooter also proves plenty capable of quick highway speeds, and is always at the ready for sudden passes, provided the driver is easy with the throttle – a sudden drop of the gas pedal will result in a slight delay as the six-speed automatic transmission deciphers its master's intentions. Those whose right feet grow heavy with the sight of every red-to-green light will notice that the redesigned ES 350 offers no deficiencies in the torque-steer department, enabling the front tires to squeal easily from a stop, especially when they're turned a bit. Given these comments, one could correctly assume that we drove this Lexus pretty hard, yet despite our testing of its limits, the ES 350 still returned an average fuel economy rating of 20.9 mpg.

Handling

Assuming the typical buyer will be using the 2007 Lexus ES 350 for an upscale commuter, the handling package is just right – comfortable, and better than the previous ES, but by no means supremely capable. The ES 350 driver won't notice any serious limitations unless she finds herself cruising at a good clip on a twisty road. That's when a few gremlins appear, such as a generous dose of body roll, Michelin Energy MXV4 215/55 tires that aren't terribly interested in extreme grip, and steering that remains relatively light even at higher speeds. At slower speeds in typical daily driving, bumps are well absorbed and the ride is comfortable. It's only when fishing for limits, which few ES 350 owners are likely to often consider, that things get unsettled. This softly-sprung sedan offers a ride that is smooth and somewhat isolated from the road on which it travels, a pointed cheered by thousands of workday commuters everywhere. That being said, drivers desiring a Lexus that's capable of fostering a more intimate relationship wit the blacktop would be better served by the Lexus IS. Braking, courtesy of the four-wheel antilock disc setup, is effective, though we did notice more pedal travel than expected on sudden stops.

Visibility

Automotive designers have a tough job. We consumers typically want sexy cars with sleek shapes and seemingly impossible aerodynamics. Then we get in the car and complain about poor visibility. Lexus designers have done a good, if not perfect job of blending that desirable shape with decent outward visibility. Aiding in the effort are large exterior rearview mirrors, and though the low roof line and high belt line combine to limit their height, the side windows extend far back toward the pillar for an improved view. Unfortunately, the sharp angle of the rear window limits its usefulness, a point accentuated by rear outboard headrests that fail to fully retract (though the center headrest does). Also, the B-pillars are a touch on the wide side and can thus hamper over-the-shoulder views when looking to merge left.

Fun to Drive

Fun? The 2007 Lexus ES 350? A better word is pleasant. In routine driving, the vehicle is comfortable, controllable, easy to live with, and the potent V6 engine provides plenty of punch for an entry-level luxury family sedan. Fun, in car terms, usually involves some modicum of performance, either in regards to handling, power, suspension tuning, or responsive steering. Preferably all in abundance. Yet, except for the horses under the hood, the ES 350 doesn't dazzle in any of these areas.

Front Comfort

Fun may not be the 2007 Lexus ES 350's forte, but many drivers may be so comfortable as to not notice or care. The front buckets, wrapped in soft leather with a heating and cooling feature on our test car, are spacious and almost free of fault; if anything, the lower seat cushion could be a bit longer. But that's a minor gripe quickly overshadowed by perfectly sized side bolsters that keep a driver comfortable yet not restricted, and large, usable headrests. We also enjoyed the option of a leather and wood steering wheel with power tilt and telescoping functions. Padded surfaces on the door sills, center and door armrests, and center console provide a soft resting place for arms and knees, the latter being afforded plenty of space thanks a dash placed far forward. Headroom is also ample, even with standard sun roof.

Rear Comfort

Getting in and out of the 2007 Lexus ES 350's rear seat is an easy task, and while there was plenty of leg room for our five-foot-eight-inch editor, there wasn't as much as expected. Taller passengers might feel a bit cramped, and those with long legs especially won't appreciate the hard seatbacks, even if they do have a thin soft finish. The exterior buckets are supportive, though the center is basically a hump with a hard back surface. Fold that center back section down and you've got a large, padded armrest. Rear air vents are located on the center console. Our tester also included an expansive glass panel with a retractable shade, serving to open up the sky to rear passengers without seriously impacting headroom.

Interior Noise

For a base price of $33,865 (including a $695 destination charge), this car is plenty quiet, but when the sticker climbs to $46,045, as was the case with our test car, buyers should expect something more. While driven on southern California's concrete highways, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 granted entry to excessive tire and road noise, with every bump in the concrete resonating throughout the cabin. It wasn't terrible, but more than one should hear in a car this price. There was also a bit of wind noise from the driver's window and sunroof at highway speeds, a few inconsistent rattles from the dash, and a creaking from the center instrument panel when the ES 350 was driven hard in corners. Engine noise was fairly refined, with slightly higher decibels at full revs being acceptable.

Loading Cargo

Anyone who has visited an airport recently, especially during the summer or a school vacation week, understands that packing light is not really our forte. That being said, a family of five headed to Disneyland with everything they "might" need may not be satisfied with the trunk space in a 2007 Lexus ES 350. However, families traveling with one suitcase per person rather than three should be just fine. Loading up the ES 350 is easy. The trunk opens wide with hinges that covered with plastic and won't fold down onto cargo. The liftover height is about mid-thigh for someone standing five-feet-eight-inches tall, so there's no heavy heaving as when trying to load a 4WD SUV. A locking rear seat pass through allows for the trunk lid to be closed while transporting skis or any objects too long to fit in sideways, and two chrome tie downs act as fastening points for keeping cargo secure. An integrated handle on the inside of the trunk lid allows for easy closing.

Build Quality

We found a few issues worth mentioning here, not because they're significant on any car, but because they're significant on a car. They include plastic and wood pieces within the center instrument panel that didn't sit completely flush and exhibited inconsistent gaps, metal speaker faces atop the dash that didn't fit perfectly, and a gap around the left side of the glovebox that was wider than it should be. Admittedly, they're minor points, but such an expensive vehicle would ideally be free of such faults. On the flip side, the exterior of our 2007 Lexus ES 350 test car was darn near perfect. All of the body and fascia panels lined up well and were joined by fairly tight and consistent gaps. The only detraction was the spacing between the passenger side front and rear windows – it was a little wider at the top.

Materials Quality

Lexus has long been known for building fine cars with quality materials, and the 2007 ES 350 is no exception. Outfitted with the Luxury Package, our test car featured durable leather upholstery on the seats and center armrest, with the low-grade (vinyl?) stuff reserved for the door inserts. The soft hides returned for use on the steering wheel and shift knob. Accenting the upholstery was a wood appliqué with a very nice polished finish and visible grain patterns – the sections on the center dash were especially dazzling under direct sunlight. Interior plastics, at least those that are most likely to be touched, are slightly rubberized or soft. These can be found on the door panels and the lower center console. Hard plastics are limited, found only on the door sills and lower sections of the seats and dash. Above it all is a mesh headliner with matching fabric on the pillars and front and rear sunroof shades.