Looking for a dash of something special from your entry-luxury sedan purchase? Sometimes the recipe calls for a familiar and proven base ingredient.
Enter the Lexus ES 350. It's comfort food for the long haul. The 2013 model year signifies a milestone for the popular sedan, marking the vehicle's sixth-generation incarnation. Now an inch longer with shorter overhangs and dual exhaust, ES proudly displays the Lexus 'spindle front grille,' a feature all revamped family members prominently share.
The venerable ES debuted way back in 1989 and with 56,152 units sold in America in the 2012 calendar year, easily qualifies as Lexus' best-selling sedan in the States. Total 2012 U.S. Lexus sales reached 132,741, a 31 percent increase over a difficult 2011 marred by effects of the devastating tsunami hitting the Japanese coastline. The Gen 6 ES 350 debut last summer helped goose 2012 calendar year numbers.
Unlike the more potent and pricier Lexus GS 350 sedan available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, ES 350 remains quite at home with standard front-wheel drive. Lexus' trifecta of smooth-riding luxury sedans; ES, GS and flagship V-8 powered LS, all boast higher mileage non-plug-in gas-electric hybrid counterparts (ES 300h, GS 450h, LS 600h). Parent company Toyota has perfected this technology as well as anyone in the business.
Recently, Toyota redesigned its Avalon four-door sedan, a platform from which ES is based upon. While ES slots as the entry-luxury offering, dimensions skew mid-size, not compact. Three adults coexist in reasonable harmony in ES's back row thanks to 4.1 inches of additional leg room.
The sole ES 350 powertrain is a naturally aspirated, (non-turbo) 3.5-liter six-cylinder (thus, the 350 suffix) cranking out 268 horses. While underpinnings and body structure are redesigned in 2013, the powertrain returns relatively unchanged from 2012 and is similar to the Camry's optional V-6. It's mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission. This engine remains refined and reliable, but not intended to blow doors off from a standing start. Regular, 87-octane fuel fills the relatively large 17.2 gallon tank. Segment respectable fuel economy of 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway can be expected. For higher mileage estimates, the ES 300h gas-electric hybrid (starting at $38,850, partially powered by a four-cylinder Atkinson cycle powertrain) generates 40 miles per gallon in the city, and 39 highway.
For decades, Lexus set the standard for library-like cabins. While many worthy rivals from around the globe have finally caught up, none has surpassed Lexus' whisper-quiet interiors. What's also memorable about this test drive was the smoothness of the highway glide from a front-drive platform. Rear-wheel products sport a balanced weight advantage, but the entry-luxury ES did not disappoint, absorbing road imperfections with ease. Expect a ride tilted towards luxury smoothness rather than a road-sensing sports type. For those demanding sportier nuances wrapped around a Lexus nameplate, take a spin inside the rear-drive IS sedan, another entry-luxury offering from Lexus receiving its own redo in the upcoming 2014 model year.
The 2013 ES interior shares many traits with the recently revamped GS counterpart; that's good. Both effectively combine high-tech workings with creature comfort, a task easier said than done. Many competitors continue missing this mark.
Both feature a center finger-tip pad control between the front bucket seats. This second-generation 'remote touch interface' operates by the driver's right hand; south paws may need extra play time to master. A one-inch by one-and-a-half inch slightly elevated wiggle pad tilts sideways and depresses down, offering option selections through the colorful center-mounted in-dash screen. A rearward arched cushion acts as a rest to ease wrist fatigue. Helping ease and speed the process are often-used 'map' and 'menu' buttons directly ahead of the wiggle pad also reachable via fingertips. While in print this description may seem over-involved, in practice it's relatively seamless.
While functions like climate and audio tweaks may be commanded through the multi-information screen, operators have the option of using dashboard knobs and dials to monitor these necessities. Some drivers prefer the old-school method of monitoring the audio system or climate controls and Lexus delivers for those tastes. Two single beverage holders, with retractable covers, flank the remote touch interface, kitty corner from one other. Nearby, as with the Lexus GS, the 2013 ES includes three on-command drive modes adjusting suspension nuances: Normal, Sport and Eco, all operated via a push or twist of circular dial.
Soft leather adorns the dash, seats and center arm rest. Doors incorporate white leather stitching. The straight-across dash design (not a wrap-around cock-pit style) includes a distinguished, self-illuminating analog clock front and center. The armrest/storage bin between the seats is home to the USB port and iPod connections. Push-button start and a moon roof come standard.
Perforated leather seats provided ample comfort and support; just wish these surfaces were standard instead of part of an option package. Left of the steering column on the lower dash are three rows of well-organized buttons operating everything from trunk, hood and fuel release to traction control and parking radar on/off. A small retracting bin pulls out for loose change storage. Above is the power push-pad controlling power outside mirrors.
When exiting, the steering wheel automatically motors up and towards the dash, providing more 'escape' room. All four side doors swing out wide enough, and provide enough entry/exit room for legs; not all in this segment compare as favorably. Cruise control operates from a square appendage at approximately 5 o'clock. Drivers have decent views front, back and to the side. If a vehicle is traveling in side blind spots, the optional blind spot monitor illuminates amber icons inside side-view mirrors.
Thanks to one trim, engine and drivetrain (front-wheel drive), the ES 350 ordering process is relatively straight forward. Group options include a luxury Package (perforated leather seats, maple wood steering wheel and dash trim-$1,370) and Navigation system (eight-inch screen, voice command- $2,625) while stand-alone equipment includes new-for-2013 blind-spot/cross traffic alert ($500) 17-inch wheels ($110), rear sunshade ($210), lane departure warning ($965), park assist ($500) and wood trimmed steering wheel ($330). A goodly number of 10 airbags come standard. ES 350 starts at $36,100, one of the lowest-priced Lexus vehicles on the lot. Our tester, including option packages and stand-alone features mentioned above, ended with a $43,605 bottom line including a $895 destination charge.
Soft elegance may best describe the ES exterior, a step up from 'conservative' which fit in line with earlier generation efforts. A thin rear 'C' pillar, narrow side glass (with chrome trim) and large rear window join with a short rear deck lid creating a sculpted look. Body-colored, strap-like door handles adorn all four side doors. This is the same trendy application found on many 2013 sedans, but ES finds a way to make it appealing. Narrow, band-like headlight housing surrounds the spindle grille. Band-like is also the tail light design. The trunk holds a respectable 15.2 cubic feet of cargo space, extending deep towards the cabin.
At a Glance
2013 ES 350
Price as tested: $43,605
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 268
Wheelbase: 110 inches
Overall Length: 192.7 inches
Overall height: 57.1 inches
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg city/ 31 mpg highway
Curb weight: 3,549 pounds
Powertrain warranty: 70,000 miles/72 months
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