2002 Lexus ES 300 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Redesigned for 2002 with a greater luxury emphasis, ES 300 gains several features, including curtain side airbags, a 5-speed automatic transmission in place of a 4-speed, and an optional navigation system. This Lexus again shares its basic design with the redesigned 2002 Camry from parent Toyota. A 3.0-liter V6 returns with unchanged power. Styling is new, and exterior dimensions grow 2 inches in wheelbase, about 1 in length and width, and 2.4 in height. Leather upholstery is again optional, but new standard features include 16-inch wheels (replacing 15s), a trip computer, dual-zone automatic climate control, and auto up/down for all side windows. The available dashboard navigation screen has a 3-position tilt feature. Other options include premium Mark Levinson audio, power rear sunshade, high-intensity headlamps packaged with rain-sensing windshield wipers, and in-dash or console-mount CD changer. Standard ABS continues, but full-power brake assist is now included with optional antiskid or traction systems. Lexus' Adaptive Variable Suspension AVS option furnishes driver-selectable shock-absorber settings. Base price is unchanged from 2001.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has two clear benchmarks; the Acura TL and Lexus ES 300. Both succeed in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 offers a little more luxury and TL, with it's Type-S, a bit more sport.

We Recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series as a rear-drive alternative. The "3" has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue--an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.

News

The redesigned 2002 ES 300 has just left the starting gate, so we'd expect no major design changes for at least the next three years. However, a larger, more powerful engine seems a likely prospect for 2003 or '04, if only to keep up with class rivals, especially Infiniti's larger, new-generation I35, set for 2003 or '04. In fact, Lexus is preparing its own 3.5-liter V6 for a redesigned 2004-model RX crossover SUV, so there's a very good chance this engine will eventually find its way into the ES.

2002 Lexus ES 300 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Rear visibility

Ride	Navigation-system controls

Quietness

Build quality

Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
6	6	6.2

Strong all-out acceleration: 8.2 sec 0-60 mph in our test. New 5-speed automatic is a smoothie, but it hesitates to kick down for midrange passing sprints and its zigzag selector gate frustrates manual shifting.

Fuel Economy

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
5	5	4.6

Returned a low of 17.4 mpg with gas-eating performance tests and averaged 21.1 overall. Lexus requires premium fuel.

Ride Quality

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
8	7	7.2

Again sets the standard for near-luxury comfort and absorbency, compromised only by mild pattering on crumbling surfaces and trace of float on big humpbacks. Optional Adaptive Variable Suspension too soft in Comfort mode, a bit hard in Sport, and feels like regular chassis on in-between settings.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
6	6	6.7

Highly competent, but lacks cornering agility of Acura TL or BMW 3-Series, and steering needs a touch more road feel. Traction control no longer standard, requires antiskid option. Braking powerful and swift, but heavy nosedive prevalent in hard application.

Quietness

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
9	9	6.8

Very refined, perhaps the class leader. V6 near-silent at idle, subdued in hard charging. Wind and tire noise exceptionally low.

Controls

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
8	6	6.3

Typical Lexus exemplary. Optional navigation system also governs most audio controls but no climate functions--a plus. Screen must be powered open to access tape/CD slots, however, and adds buttons that take learning. Interior assembly hard to fault, though one test car suffered a slight dashboard rattle.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
8	8	7

Seats comfortably supportive, but may hug larger persons too tightly. Leg room ample, though reduced almost an inch from 2001 model. Head room just adequate for 6-footers beneath optional sunroof. Visibility a bit tricky aft and over-the-shoulder.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
6	6	5.4

Wide enough for two adults, who'll ride slightly knees-up with front seats fully aft. Good under-seat toe room, but just adequate 6-footer head clearance beneath sunroof. Easy entry/exit.

Cargo Room

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
4	4	4.2

Redesign adds 1.5 cu ft to usefully roomy trunk, but opening isn't tall enough to swallow big boxes. Bulky trunklid hinges intrude, but are covered to prevent damaging cargo. No fold-down rear seatbacks. In-cabin stowage good but not great.

Value within Class

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
10	10	5.1

With the IS 300 for sports-sedan lovers, Lexus remakes the ES into a baby LS 430, offering more comfort, refinement, and amenities, plus improved road manners. No excitement machine, just an exceedingly pleasant near-luxury sedan that's likely to have broad appeal.

Total Score

Base	Base w/nav. sys. and AVS	Class Average
70	67	59.5

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		49
Average Score		59
High Score		72

2002 Lexus ES 300 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 10/11/2001

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$31,505	$27,935	$575

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.0-liter dohc V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate control, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 10-way power driver seat w/power lumbar adjustment, 8-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/driver-side automatic day/night, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, power sunroof, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage-door opener, overhead console, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, trip computer, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, remote fuel-door and decklid release, automatic-off headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, full-size spare tire, 215/60VR16 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Leather Trim Pkg.
Base	$1,560	$1,248
Leather upholstery, driver-seat and mirror memory.

Premium Pkg.
Base	$2,110	$1,688
Leather upholstery, driver-seat and mirror memory, in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Mark Levinson Audio Pkg.
Base	$3,010	$2,363
Premium Pkg. plus Mark Levinson sound system.

Navigation System Pkg.
Base	$3,960	$3,261
Premium Pkg. plus navigation system. Moves in-dash CD changer to console.

Navigation System/Mark Levinson Audio Pkg.
Base	$4,860	$3,936
Navigation System Pkg. plus Mark Levinson sound system. Moves in-dash CD changer to console.

Safety
Antiskid system
Base	$650	$520
Includes traction control, full-power brake assist. Requires leather upholstery.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Heated front seats
Base	$440	$352
Requires leather upholstery.

In-dash 6-disc CD changer
Base	$550	$440
Requires Leather Trim Pkg.

Wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel
Base	$330	$264
Requires leather upholstery.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
High-intensity discharge headlights
Base	$640	$512
Includes rain-sensing wipers. Requires leather upholstery.

Adaptive variable suspension
Base	$620	$496
Requires Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Pkg., antiskid system, high-intensity discharge headlights.

2002 Lexus ES 300 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Lexus ES 300 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	107.1

Overall Length, in.	191.1

Overall Width, in.	71.3

Overall Height, in.	57.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3439

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.5

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.2

Rear Head Room, in.	37.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.0 /183

Horsepower @ rpm.	210 @ 5800

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	220 @ 4400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	21/29

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Lexus ES 300 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	6/70,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2002 Lexus ES 300 Photos

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