Friday, August 23, 2013
2007 Lexus ES 350 Review
The ES 350 is Lexus’ new midsize luxury sedan that replaces the third-generation ES 330 for the 2007 model year and is designed to offer more comfort, safety and performance features. The ES 350 is part of a new two-pronged strategy from Lexus for the entry-luxury segment with the ES 350 offered as the entry-luxury choice and the IS offered as a more performance oriented sport sedan.The fourth sedan to incorporate what Lexus calls the L-finesse design language, this version adds a new level of style to the ES, including a strong family resemblance to the GS, IS and all-new LS flagship sedan.
With a longer wheelbase and a wider track than the ES 330 that it replaces, the ES 350 has a long hood, a pulled-back greenhouse and a short decklid—all characteristics of L-finesse design, resulting in a sleek, modern exterior. The previous generation ES 300 debuted for the 2002 model year and became the ES 330 for 2004.
New For 2007 Lexus ES 350
Lexuss best-selling car is redesigned for 2007 with fresh styling, more power, and additional features. The ES remains essentially a luxury version of the Toyota Camry; Lexus is Toyotas premium division. It gains 2.2 inches in wheelbase compared to the 2002-2006 version, but other dimensions are little-altered. Called the ES 350 for its 272-hp 3.5-liter V6, it replaces the ES 330, which had a 218-hp 3.3-liter V6. The sole transmission is again an automatic, but its a 6-speed with manual shift gate vs. a 5-speed. ABS and traction/antiskid control are standard. Newly optional is Lexuss Pre-Collision System, which readies airbags, seatbelts, and brakes when sensors detect a skid or imminent crash. Its paired with newly available adaptive cruise control.
Standard front side airbags and curtain side airbags are joined for 07 by driver and front-passenger knee airbags and by optional rear side airbags. Vehicle starting is by dashboard pushbutton. Wood interior trim and a sunroof are included; leather upholstery is optional. Newly available is an Ultra Luxury Package with glass sunroof within a "panorama" glass roof. A navigation system is again optional, and now includes a rearview camera. Newly optional are steering-linked headlamps.
A regular power tilt-and-slide sunroof is standard, but a new extra is a "panaroma" roof that combines a sliding glass sunroof with a fixed glass rear panel.
The ES 350 has virtually flawless fit and finish. Theres good room in the extremely quiet interior for four tall adults, with an especially roomy rear-seat area. However, the stiff middle rear seat section is best left to the large fold-down armrest, which houses dual cupholders.
Gauges are backlit and clearly marked for an easy read under all lighting conditions. Major dashboard controls are easy to use, as are the front cupholders. A large, covered console bin can swallow objects such as cell phones and garage door openers, and front doors have storage pockets.
Interior Features
If there is any part of this car that could be called a quantum leap, its the interior, which is much more together, more modern, and more fully equipped than any previous Lexus ES interior.
It starts with the standard SmartAccess key fob and push-button engine starting, a first for the ES, and goes from there. The instrument panel and center stack are completely new and much more driver-centered, engaging and involving that previous panels. The main instruments are deeply tunneled, using white LED lighting and the Optitron electroluminescent displays that are part of all Lexus models, with their eye-pleasing startup routine. The standard trip computer monitors a dozen functions. All of the real wood trim is from a matched set that is serial-numbered for future replacement, if necessary. The thick, fat steering wheel is a pleasure to use.
Theres more space overall, within a few cubic feet of the original LS 400 V8 rear-drive sedan at 95.4 cubic feet, with more shoulder and leg room built in, and the rear floor is flat and can accommodate large American feet under the seats. There are three interiors to choose from in leather, perforated leather, or cloth, plus optional semi-aniline leather.
The new ES is insulated well. At cruising speeds, its extremely quiet, in part due to a new acoustic-control laminated windshield.
The driving ambience is superb, with good sightlines, the hooded instruments and crisp graphics, a 10-way power seat and standard tilt/telescope steering wheel. Fit and finish inside are exemplary.
In the same way that the IS is making leaps and bounds in performance, the ES is escalating the ranks in terms of luxuries offered. For the first time, Lexus will offer a panoramic glass roof on the ES, comprised of a power sunroof and a fixed overhead rear panel, similar to the sort of roof featured in Mercedes-Benzs E-Class, or by MINI in its Cooper. Eight airbags, including knee airbags are standard, but that can be increased to a total of ten if the optional side rear airbags are specified. Also available are extra-luxurious semi-Aniline leather seats with heat and ventilation, as well as AFS adaptive xenon headlamps, and a new and improved touchscreen navigation system.
The extra-large LCD screen featured in the ES also acts as a display for the optional reverse camera, and is able to play DVD videos when the vehicle is in park. To back up the visuals, Lexus has turned to Mark Levinson to provide the acoustics, which in this case includes a 7.1 surround sound digital processor powered by a 10-channel, 300-watt amplifier. Sound is directed through a total of fourteen loudspeakers, strategically placed around the car to maximize sound quality. Source input for this magnificent system includes tapes, CDs, satellite radio, or personal MP3 player, accessible through an integrated aux-in jack.
More Power
The ES 330s performance was a weak point because it only had 218 horsepower and was fairly heavy at 3,472 pounds. The ES 350 weighs 3,580 pounds, but its V6 provides a considerable boost to 272 horsepower and produces more torque. Acceleration is smoother and seemingly effortless, befitting a genuine luxury auto.
The 2006 versions 5-speed automatic transmission is gone, replaced with a more modern 6-speed automatic in the ES 350. The extra gear allows better performance and improves highway fuel economy despite the more potent ES 350 engine.
Estimated economy is 21 mpg in the city and 30 on highways, compared to 21 and 29 for the ES 330.
Notchy Shift Gate
The new transmission also is more responsive, although its shift gate is notchy, especially during quick gear selections. However, the notchiness can prevent a driver from sliding into the wrong gear. The transmission has a manual shift feature, but its doubtful that many ES 350 owners will bother using it.
Newly optional is a pre-collision system that does such things as ready airbags, seat belts and brakes when, for instance, a skid is detected. The system is paired with newly available adaptive cruise control to maintain a set following distance from a vehicle.
A $500 Intuitive Parking Assist feature helps take the tiresome judgment from parking, and available steering-linked headlights provide safer night driving around curves. A $2,650 navigation system includes a rear camera to prevent hitting unseen objects directly behind the car when backing up. Large outside mirrors enhance visibility when driving.
Good Roadability
However, the ES 350 does have good handling because it possesses a fully independent suspension with gas-pressurized shock absorbers and front and rear stabilizer bars. It also has a vehicle stability control system and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.
The 2006 ES was called the ES 330 but the 2007 version is the ES 350 because displacement of its smooth V6 engine goes from 3.3 liters to 3.5 liters.
Driving Impressions
When the engine displacement, power and torque get such a big boost all at once, it can change your opinion of a car very quickly, and thats what happened to us the first time we booted the 3580-pound Lexus ES 350 up a long, long hill in Hawaii. The new ES 350 benefits from a brand-new all-aluminum engine design with all the latest technologies built in, and its a honey, with 57 more horsepower than the 3.3-liter engine it replaces, and one more gear to run through.
For the first time, performance is part of the equation in an ES. Its quick to respond, the engine is as smooth and quiet as you would expect, and the transmission operation is flawless, automatic or manual mode, downshift or upshift.
Engine and transmission are linked by several electronic modules and the electronic throttle, and there were no glitches we could find. The engine and transmission are isolation-mounted with an electro-hydraulic mounting system to cancel vibration at idle. Lexus quotes a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, which is certainly competitive in the segment.
Two important additions of standard equipment on the ES for 2007 are traction control and stability control which, when combined with this new chassis, allow sporting drivers to do maneuvers that no previous ES would do, and quickly. The front struts and multi-link rear suspension are both very well isolated from the rest of the car, making for a quiet, smooth ride, with greater control of pitch and body roll than the outgoing car.
We think the ES could use more tire on the ground than the standard 215/55R17s it comes with (there is an optional 10-spoke wheel package, but it uses the same size tires). Wed like a little more steering feel in the corners and on the highway, but otherwise the speed-related power steering is good and solid.
Although the brakes themselves are average in size for this class, the electronic control package that comes with them makes them very powerful and very repeatable, with no sign of brake fade after a hard workout. Because this is an entry-luxury sedan and not a sports car, the ABS, traction control and stability systems intervene early and often to keep the car going in the intended direction, so you cant really hang it out, and thats okay with us.
Large Trunk
The large trunk has a wide, but rather high, opening. Covered trunk lid hinges prevent damaging luggage.
The hood smoothly opens on twin struts to reveal easily reached fluid-filler areas and a big plastic engine cover that holds down noise levels.
Sharing the Camrys basic design always has held down the cost of the ES, and few would object to a lower-priced luxury car.
Believe it or not
todays ES is faster, quieter, and more luxurious than the first generation, V8-powered LS 400, and packs technology thats miles more advanced than what Lexus engineers were dreaming of nearly two decades ago. And while the ES isnt the most glamorous, quickest, or most luxurious Lexus on the market, in its niche as an entry-level luxury car it has been leading, and will most likely continue to lead the segment. Lexus hopes to sell 70,000 units of the ES next year, which is a figure much larger than most expected.
The new ES 350 will go on sale late this April as a 2007 model; pricing will be announced closer its launch date. Expect only a modest price gain, helping to keep the ES competitive against its rivals.
Favorite Features
Nav system, sound system, handling, interior design and appointments, comfort of driving.
Overall Review
Everyone knows that a Lexus is little more than a dressed up Toyota. Similarly, everyone knows that Toyotas are no more than clones that have been taffy pulled to fit under different sheet metal. A Lexus is designed and built by the same Toyota engineers responsible for the Corolla. A Lexus uses the same generic parts, pieces and components as every other Toyota on the road. Lexus models are even badged as Toyota outside the USA. Ultimately, Lexus does not exist save for that tacky L logo. The ES350 is a perfect example of this blatant Toyota rebadging. The ES is uses the same frame, engine, chassis and transmission as the Camry.
Basically every component of the car, mechanical, electrical, or otherwise, is taken from a Camry parts bin at the Toyota factory. Even the door handles are the same! The horrid exterior and some cheesy wood paneling are the only real differences apart from a well equipped Camry. Kudos to Toyota for so cleverly deceiving ignorant Americans for so many years!
