LEXUS ES 350 PROVIDES EXCELLENT VALUE

2013 Lexus ES 350 Luxury

Lexus is particularly active in Australia at the moment as it continues to push its way into competition with Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes.

The assault on the big name Europeans began many years ago with the flagship LS 400 saloon. That was followed by the smaller, and significantly less expensive ES 300. The latest in the ES line, the new ES 350 is the subject of our review this week.

STYLING
Lexus ES 350 has the now familiar spindle grille, a bold shape that’s unmistakable thanks to its sheer size. Flanking this grille are halogen projector-style headlamps incorporating L-shaped LED daytime running lights. (The L-shape represents L for Lexus, though you do have to use a bit of imagination to see this.) LEDs are also used in the rear lights.

The new ES series is referred to as a four-door sedan but has a sleek shape that almost puts it into the four-door-coupe class.

The shape isn’t just about style, the co-efficient of drag of drag (Cd) is an impressively good 0.27.

2013 Lexus ES 350 Luxury

Sports Luxury occupants can settle into ventilated front seats, with ten-way power adjustment. Climate control is spread over three zones. The rear seats are heated. Unwanted glare and heat can be warded off by rear side sunshades.

We loved the dashboard styling with its wide tapered ends.

This is almost a full five-seater, there’s no skimping on seating space, with even the centre spot in the back being reasonably wide and comfortable.

INFOTAINMENT
There’s Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming and digital radio.

A Mark Levinson audio system has been designed specifically for Lexus. It powers no fewer than 15 speakers and sounds brilliant no matter what your choice of entertainment.

Thankfully the Lexus remote Touch Controller has been modified since we first tested it. The first system had a control switch that behaved almost like a joystick and moved so freely it made the cursor shoot all over the screen. Now, more resistance has been designed in to the stick and it’s much easier to use. Though we have to say we do prefer just about everyone else’s controllers.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
The Lexus ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing maximum power of 204 kW and peak torque of 346 Nm. A six-speed automatic transmission drives the ES through the front wheels.

The driver’s mood lets them select from the Lexus Drive Mode system. Controlled through a knob on the centre console it offers Normal, Sport or Eco vehicle performance.

SAFETY
Standard safety features in all Lexus ES variants include 10 airbags; ABS brakes; stability and traction control; pedestrian protection system; tyre pressure warning; blind spot monitor; hill-start assist; and reversing camera and parking sensors.

Active safety in the Sports Luxury uses a pre-collision system that beeps and flashes if it senses a crash appears imminent. Emergency braking is also applied.

Active cruise control keeps the ES Sports Luxury at a given time (not distance) from a vehicle in front.

DRIVING
The first impression in settling into the new Lexus ES is quality. The front seats are spacious, and are supportive without being overly soft. There’s good rear legroom and headroom back there is fine for anyone under about 1.9 metres.

Comfort is high on the list and the midsize Lexus has the ability to iron out almost all that Australian roads toss under it. It’s perhaps not quite in the Commodore and Falcon class in the bush, but doesn’t miss by much.

In what has always been the Lexus way the ES series is near silent in its running with the engine being well damped and the thick glass and multi-insulation body areas keeping NVH well outside.

Lexus ES has few sporting pretensions and is aimed squarely at those who want luxurious cruising and commuting rather than driving excitement. Steering is too light for our tastes but the car does react fast enough to please even keen drivers. Handling is competent and there’s always the feeling the car, assisted by electronic aids if you push too hard, will be mindful of your safety.

The 3.5-litre V6 is smooth, quiet and responsive. While peak torque doesn’t come in till 4700 rpm to suit the sensible speed limits on European motorways, there’s decent pulling power from about 2000 upwards. The six-speed auto communicates nicely with the engine and promptly drops a gear of two to give you added torque for safe overtaking.

Expect to use about 10 to 12 litres per hundred kilometres during the daily commute grind, dropping to seven to nine litres on open country roads and motorways.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
ES 300h Luxury 2.5-litre petrol / electric hybrid four-door sedan: $63,400 (CVT automatic)
ES 300h Sports Luxury 2.5-litre petrol / electric hybrid four-door sedan: $72,400 (CVT automatic)
ES 350 Luxury 3.5-litre petrol four-door sedan: $64,900 (six-speed automatic)
ES 350 Sports Luxury 3.5-litre petrol four-door sedan: $73,900 (six-speed automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Lexus dealer for driveaway prices.

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: CVT standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in all models
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Bluetooth: Standard in all models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (Lexus ES 350 Sports Luxury 3.5-litre petrol four-door sedan)

ENGINE
Engine Capacity: 3.456 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
Bore/Stroke: 94.0 x 83.0 mm
Maximum Power: 204 kW @ 6200 rpm
Maximum Torque: 346 Nm @ 4700 rpm

DRIVETRAIN
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.458:1

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4900 mm
Wheelbase: 2820 mm
Width: 1820 mm
Height: 1450 mm
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1630-1665 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 litres
Boot Capacity: 490 litres

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Double wishbone, coil springs, gas-pressurised dampers
Rear Suspension: Independent, multi-link, coil springs and dampers
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.4 seconds

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel Type: Petrol 95RON
Fuel Consumption – Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 9.5 L/100 km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 5.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Four years/100,000 km

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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