2007 Lexus ES 350 Review

PROS
Extremely comfortable ride, Luxurious interior, Ample power

CONS Sloppy-shifting transmission, Limited head room, Mushy brakes

Still the entry-luxury king?
Lexus redesigned its best-selling car for 2007, giving the ES a new name, freshened styling, more horsepower, and additional features. The front-drive ES is again a dressed-up version of the mechanically similar Toyota Camry. Wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer but other dimensions are unchanged. The ES 350 remains an entry-level luxury sedan that competes with cars like the Acura TL, Audi A4, Lincoln Zephyr, and Volvo S60.

The name change from ES 330 to ES 350 comes courtesy of a larger V6 engine. Last year, the ES was powered by a 218-horsepower 3.3-liter V6. This year, the sole engine is a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 272 horsepower. The standard automatic transmission was also upgraded from five to six speeds.

Standard equipment includes keyless starting, leather upholstery, and wood interior trim. Options include a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, and an Ultra Luxury package, which adds a panorama glass roof, steering-linked headlights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, and power rear sunshade.

Get up and Go
The new 3.5-liter V6 is a quiet performer. It provides ample power from stoplights and posses impressive passing strength. If pushed, the new engine will accelerate the ES 350 from 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds. It's also very smooth and refined--a Lexus trademark.

While the engine is smooth and responsive, the same can't be said for the new 6-speed automatic transmission. At part throttle, it sometimes bobbles when upshifting. It also hesitates when downshifting at highway speeds. The transmission isn't terrible, but, when given such a nice engine to work with, you'd expect more refinement.

In around town driving, expect the ES to average close to its 20 mpg rating. Over one stretch of city-only driving the ES averaged 19.5 mpg. On a highway stint, the tall gearing of the 6-speed automatic transmission helped the ES return 28 mpg. Lexus recommends more-expensive premium-grade fuel for the ES.

On the Road
The previous-generation ES was one of the smoothest-riding entry-level luxury sedans on the market. It also bounded up and down when the road got rough and healed over in turns when the road grew twisty. For '07, Lexus engineers focused on maintaining the smooth ride while firming up the suspension in an attempt to make the ES more of a driver's car.

After just a few minutes behind the wheel, it's clear that the new ES offers substantial improvements in overall composure on bumpy roads and marked reductions in body lean in turns when compared to the previous model. The ride is still well cushioned--especially on the highway--but it's not overly bouncy on rough roads.

What's really surprising is the massive improvement in overall driving feel when compared to the previous model. The ES still can't match the sporting moves of the Acura TL or Lincoln Zephyr when the road gets twisty. However, it no longer leans over dramatically in turns or squats forward in hard braking. Another plus is an unusually tight turning radius that makes parking a snap.

When it comes to interior noise, the ES is still one of the quietest cars on the road. There's excellent isolation from road and wind noise and little ruckus from the V6. On cold mornings the ES seemed to run a little rich, which created a fast idle. However, once the engine was warm, the idle speed dropped down to a normal level.

Behind the Wheel  The instrument panel features large, expensive-looking gauges that are easy to read and well lit at night. Center stack houses the navigation screen and controls for the audio and climate-control system. Unlike some competitors, buttons and knobs are clearly marked and well placed and there's no central control system--like BMW's i-drive--to complicate operation.

Materials are top notch and easily on par with others in the class. Fit and finish is also quite good. Overall, the cabin decor is fitting of a luxury sedan without seeming overstated.

Front seats are generously padded and well shaped for long-haul comfort. There is ample leg room and adequate head room. Taller drivers may wish the standard sunroof was optional as it eats into front-seat head room.

Rear-seat riders are treated to comfortable, well-padded seat cushions and ample leg and knee room. Headroom is again somewhat tight due to the standard sunroof. A nice touch is the nearly flat rear floor that adds to foot room.

Class-average trunk features a large opening and a low liftover. On the downside, trunk hinges intrude on cargo space and there's only a small trunk pass through for larger items--some competitors offer split-folding rear seats. Interior storage is good with lots of bins and cubbies throughout.

Bottom Line With the '07 redesign, the ES retains its place as one of the most comfortable cars on the planet. It's got a pillow-soft ride, hushed interior, and good room for four adults. What's surprising is a healthy infusion of sport. There's more power, responsive handling, and better ride control than before. This adds up to an ES that is quite luxurious and fun to drive.

Additional safety equipment and comfort and convenience features push the base price of the ES 350 to $33,170, which is in line with entry-level competition. The ES may not be the low-price bargain it was a few years ago. Still, it's a great option for buyers looking for luxury, safety, and comfort at an affordable price.