Road Test: Lexus ES350

As part of the evaluative process, I cracked open the ES350's owner’s manual. Check it: there’s a "Lemon Law Guide" to help customers find legal recourse should their Lexus fail to, well, anything. Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to be a particularly useful part of the program. After all, under its swanky skin, the Lexus ES350 is little more than a reliable, durable and, let’s face it, forgettable Toyota Camry. Does that make the ES350 an example of the kind of badge-engineering that this site regularly condemns as lazy, cynical and brand corrosive? No, no and yes.

The ES certainly passes the visual differentiation test. Proof positive: dozens of Accord, Camry, and (older) Lexus ES drivers rubbernecking our tester’s amber-bronze curves. The ES leads with a soft, organic front with chiseled grille and chrome ringed fog lights, flowing into an elegant but racy profile, with one of the fastest C-pillars this side of the General Lee. Every crease is well proportioned– until one’s eyes gaze below the door handles. From there, the ES' soaring beltline drops the proverbial ball. The sheetmetal looks worse than a tradeshow drop cloth over a folding table. The back end is endlessly inoffensive, aside from the unintentionally humorous Salvador Dali chrome moustache over the license plate.
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BMW530i - 10/16/2006 9:44:43 AM

+1 Boost

Wonderful Toyota Camry review! :p

j/k

adoptgreyhounds - 10/16/2006 10:25:41 AM

+2 Boost

I'm a BMW guy too, but the ES350 is fantastic car. For what most Luxury buyers want it's hard to beat.

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 11:59:28 AM

0 Boost

hahaha.. oh will.. do you get paid to defend lexus?

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 1:40:03 PM

0 Boost

well, their payment is made through well executed cars :) and im getting a raise if you know what i mean

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 1:53:17 PM

+1 Boost

um lexus can put up a good car..but better then the rest.. thats a nice opinion .. if bmw is trying so hard to seduce customers with magic feel.. why is lexus trying to match the driving dynamics?

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 2:17:50 PM

+1 Boost

never taken it to the track, but good to know the word "track" is synonomous with bmw and not lexus :) and yes lexus has good reliability, but bmw is right up there with them :)

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 2:43:50 PM

+1 Boost

Will,

then why is the is350 supposedly supposed to be more performance oriented? why is it that when they first came out with the lexus IS to compete with the 330i, that they repeatdly had them race at the "taste of lexus" show? .. obviously lexus is trying its best to get on the performance level.. btw will.. lexus also is trying to claim high end performance.. go to one of their shows.. its all about gs450h performance and blah.. but they can never match bmw performance. no matter how much their 0-60 times improve. PERIOD.

oh and btw just becuase i dont take my car to the track has nothing to do with bmw's selling point, im an indivudual, bud, but im damn well sure a 335i and and is350 would be no comparison on the track..
oh and lastly.. how many ferrari, lambo, aston martin, etc owners do you hear about that spend most of their time at the track.. not many, so does that mean those car companies sold them cars that wouldnt be used to full potential.. so i guess everyone is getting cheated out of performance.. except lexus owners.. who have little to begin with
:)

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 3:54:48 PM

+1 Boost

scroll down for my responce :)

S4cabriofox - 10/16/2006 10:11:04 PM

+1 Boost

I get $300/wk from Audi.

__________________________________________

But seriously, this car is perfect for somebody who doesn't need any specialty; it does everything smoothly.

But me, I need a little drama in my life!

EL34 - 10/16/2006 11:31:22 AM

-3 Boost

The Lexus ES350 is the same car as the Toyota Camry and don't you forget it.

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 11:57:56 AM

-2 Boost

actually the camry looks a lot better :)

mitchatlexusofmarin - 10/16/2006 1:48:51 PM

+1 Boost

You are an ignorant fool.

KeyserSoze - 10/16/2006 12:45:10 PM

0 Boost

EL, thanks for remimding the world! But its a damn good Toyota Camry for that matter! What was your point? Get over yourself!

EL34 - 10/16/2006 12:50:54 PM

0 Boost

KeyserSoze really, what's so special about the body design of the current Camry?

I would like to know!

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 12:54:13 PM

+1 Boost

EL,

the new camry is just sexy :)
specially with the s body kit. 278 hp to bak it up..
good combination

EL34 - 10/16/2006 1:01:21 PM

-1 Boost

luvmybmr, oh yeah it looks sexy?...a good name for the
car would be the Toyota Poindexter.

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 1:49:48 PM

+1 Boost

if your thinking poindexter.. you should refer to the toyota yaris.. or nissan versa.. not a camry :)

KeyserSoze - 10/16/2006 1:02:56 PM

+1 Boost

EL, for one it is selling like hot cakes and its has bullet proof reliability to back it up from its younger sibling the Camry plus the cabin cool!

EL34 - 10/16/2006 1:09:25 PM

+2 Boost

The only reason I would buy the Camry would be because of reliability.

Car companies are you paying attention!

EL34 - 10/16/2006 1:36:15 PM

+1 Boost

Will, you're welcome.

rocker - 10/16/2006 1:39:46 PM

-1 Boost

I saw a US$35,000 Camry on the lot the other day. Give me a f***ing break. Camry nose is too big and plastic. It is an economy car. I don't mind sharing chasis and upgrading for the ES but $35k for a Camry. Mindless but it lasted one day on the lot and it was gone.

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 1:48:34 PM

-1 Boost

i think the camry is an awesome car... (as if i havent said that enough in this thread) for family purposes, as well as a somewat performance wise. its so cute i just wanna give it a little pinch on its fenders .. hahaha

rocker - 10/16/2006 1:59:40 PM

+1 Boost

please tell me you are female

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 2:19:26 PM

-1 Boost

rocker if you were referring to me being a female.. because i want to pinch a cars fenders .. lol.. then your wrong.. it was a joke .. thats how you become when you have a baby in the house :)

rocker - 10/16/2006 1:59:40 PM

+1 Boost

please tell me you are female

AUDBMLEXMRC - 10/16/2006 2:08:31 PM

+1 Boost

What a funny test!!!! Which means that all buyers who buy the nes ES are probably stupide or? It's clear that the reviwer is completely anti LEXUS!

DutchRob - 10/16/2006 3:29:53 PM

-1 Boost

looks nice for a toyota...

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 3:32:29 PM

0 Boost

"They offer pretty uninspiring interiors, terrible build quality, and bad exterior design."

thats like me saying lexus looks like pokemon.. nothing but a OPINION. lets gets some facts there.

we could sit here all day and say which cars look better inside and out. its all personal preference.

oh and back to performance.. so what if its a selling point.. boo hoo that lexus cant do it .. and when lexus does get some performance .. im guessing your going to be the first to start badgering german car fans. oh and btw, your not an marketer.. who cares what auto makers say to sell their cars? and most of them INCLUDING LEXUS talk about performance/ handling /acceleration. yeh your lexus might run for 25 years but i would have had more fun in my bimmer in a day :)

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 5:00:59 PM

-1 Boost

what luxury features? the nav? the automatic seats? the rear view camera? i mean come on .. lexus, before its whole l-finese design was in no comparison luxury wise to bmw. it was just a different looking toyota. im not trying to be mean.. but thats pretty much it. the only exception i would think is the gs series. and now that lexus has park assist, their the innovators.. i certainly disagree with that. so will, you stay at the side of the road with your LS parking itself while you clap your hands, and the rest of us will be on the road. using cars for the purpose intended.

RefuG - 10/16/2006 7:47:21 PM

0 Boost

Agree. But take it easy on Will, youve got him so mad that he's prolly crying on his way to his hybrid, lol.


G

S4cabriofox - 10/16/2006 10:16:50 PM

0 Boost

"Listen to how hypocritical you sound! There's no other car that can operate as flawlessly and as smooth as a Lexus."

Exactly why I need some drama in my life! You had a great argument, though.

"so will, you stay at the side of the road with your LS parking itself while you clap your hands, and the rest of us will be on the road. using cars for the purpose intended."

LOL! Funniest statement I've heard today. I literally laughed out loud.

And yes, I'll be blowing by Will in my '08 RS4 Cabriolet, with my wife not so far behind in her '07 XJ8, which although isn't the fastest, is more than ample (0-60 in 6.3 seconds) and has been called the sportiest car in class many times. Yes, it has better handling than a BMW- drive one, you'll be surprised. It's all in the weight; it weighs about 800lbs less than a 750i.

S4cabriofox - 10/16/2006 10:20:12 PM

+1 Boost

But Will, I now 100% agree with you on BMW interiors, save the 6/7 Series, which are quite grand.

But after I drove the XJ for my wife, we headed to the BMW dealer to drive a 530xi (7 Series is too big, and because 5 Series offers AWD, why not?). I was hugely disappointed with the interior- awkward window controls and iDrive, ugly wood trim placements, cheap plastics and a generally sparse feeling inside the car. And the rear seat was tiny compared to the XJ8.

luvmybmr - 10/17/2006 2:02:47 PM

+1 Boost

hold on just a minute!!.. i get off of work and you start bashing bmw interiors.. fyi .. my friend wanted a gx470 .. and after seeing that interior for the first time.. my impression was nissan titan, with some wood added to it. HIDEOUS .. umm lexus didnt offer leather in its whole line up .. maybe NOW they do .. but i recall times when that wasnt true.. how many bmws and benz's have cloth interiors.. regardless of the age? also even if bmw comes out with park assist german car fans wouldnt say nething because "we are alla bout performance" no? haha.. will you contradict yourself in so many ways.

luvmybmr - 10/17/2006 2:20:47 PM

+1 Boost

who cares who came out with it first.. its ugly.. doesnt look like a suv interior.. might as well get a big truck..

rocker - 10/16/2006 3:33:43 PM

+1 Boost

Luvmybmr, congrats, we will have our second daughter tomorrow(c-section).

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 3:36:58 PM

+1 Boost

congrats to you aswell, hope everything goes well. its my first, hopefully ill start getting some sleep at night

rocker - 10/16/2006 3:39:52 PM

+1 Boost

never stops, our first daughter is about to turn 3 and she is up at the crack of dawn everyday.

luvmybmr - 10/16/2006 3:47:37 PM

+1 Boost

i wonder if they sell baby sleeping medicine... lol.. something like infant nyquil, im ready to buy a crate

AmazingBimmer - 10/16/2006 3:45:16 PM

+1 Boost

if you havent owned a bimmer,. you just wouldnt understand. just ask the audi opionheads on this site.

rocker - 10/16/2006 4:03:58 PM

+1 Boost

after 4 months our first daughter was sleeping thru the night, I hope the next one is the same way.

1970toyotamarc - 10/16/2006 4:14:05 PM

+4 Boost

I have never read a decent review of a Toy/Lex from Sajeev on TTAC. I posted this response there as well...


I'm so tired of Sajeev'a bias against Toyota. Even when he finds good things to say about the car, he spins it into a negative, or just blatantly contradicts himself to make sure he throws in a negative.

First, the blatant negatives that no one should believe. A criticism of the stereo, when everyone knows that Levinson stereos are some of the best in the world. Less than impressive leather, not likely. And how did you come up with so much road noise, did you have every window and the enormou sunroof open? I call b.s. here.

Second, the contradictions.
You talk about the head turning appeal, then criticize the roofline.

Gentle creases, folds and curves in the interior, yet nitpicking over the armrest.

Over delivering at a price point, but being economy minded.

Torque steer, yet a straight line Q-ship that handles the twisties like a BMW.

"good looks, comfy cabin, smooth ride and miserly mileage" but "good enough just isn’t."

It's almost like it was written by two people. But no, it's just by one, one who hates Toyota so much that despite all the good he clearly finds in a vehicle, he has to create an overall negative review.

audiot - 10/17/2006 3:00:16 AM

+1 Boost

Dude, your comment was pulled. It's not there.

1970toyotamarc - 10/18/2006 3:57:30 PM

+1 Boost

TTAC apparently cant handle criticism. Bunch of crybabies

answer - 10/16/2006 5:50:01 PM

+3 Boost

First, I really have to say that I hope some of you are far more intelligent than your clueless posts would have a reader assume. We have to share the road with you people!

Second, I am truly glad that there are so many people ready to regurgitate the old "only the Europeans" can do justice to the luxury genre. Attitudes like that will help prevent Lexus from increasing its already high level of popularity. I would hate to see the new LS with the same frequency as I do 3 series BMWs.

Some of the Lexus criticism doesn't even make sense. Lexus beats BMW in the luxury factor by offering high-contented vehicles built with the highest level of quality in the market. And for those who want a "sports" car, wouldn't your needs be better met in bypassing the BMW lot for the Porsche dealership?

S4cabriofox - 10/16/2006 10:21:23 PM

+1 Boost

Most BMW drivers can barely afford a Cayman S, let alone a true sportscar like the 911.

Valid comment, though.

00JT - 10/16/2006 9:11:03 PM

+2 Boost

Platform sharing is an issue when it's as blatant of a copy as a Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. It makes no sense to make both of these vehicles. GM should have chosen one or the other and sold it as is.

However the ES350 is not a blatant copy and paste of a Camry. They look like two completely different cars inside and out. If it were not for their similar dimensions, one would have a difficult time linking the ES to the Camry.

It's a shame that some people can't look past its Camry origins and appreciate the ES's strengths as an entry level luxury car.

S4cabriofox - 10/16/2006 10:24:44 PM

+1 Boost

The same goes for Audi/VW-- Audis are completely different, with different powertrains, hugely different interiors, and much sexier style on the outside, than their very few VW counterparts.

The only VWs that Audis are related to are the GTI (A3, and the TT is a very, very loose GTI platform mate) and the Touareg (Q7 is also quite different from Touareg).

Agent009 - 10/17/2006 4:42:14 PM

+1 Boost

The Audis however tend to have stretched and widened platforms to fit their different roles hence they are more different than alike. The platform sharing of the Lexus and Toyota are far more direct and similar.