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2009 Lexus ES 350 Full Review
Date Published: 4/09/08
Also in the 2009 Lexus ES 350 Review:
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Lexus ES 350 Full Review
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2009 Lexus ES 350
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Lexus ES 350 should see no major changes after adding a new trim level to the lineup in 2008. The Pebble Beach Edition will offer three exclusive colors and seven-spoke 17-inch wheels along with special badging and interior trim. The ES remains essentially a luxury version of the Toyota Camry; Lexus is Toyota's premium division. The ES 350 is powered by a 272-hp 3.5-liter V6. The sole transmission is a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, rear side airbags, and front knee airbags. Lexus's Pre-Collision System, which readies airbags, seatbelts, and brakes when sensors detect a skid or imminent crash, is optional. It's paired with adaptive cruise control.
Wood interior trim and a sunroof are included, but leather upholstery is optional. Other options include the Ultra Luxury Package with a "panorama" glass roof, a navigation system with a rearview camera, and steering-linked headlamps. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 ES 350.
Wood interior trim and a sunroof are included, but leather upholstery is optional. Other options include the Ultra Luxury Package with a "panorama" glass roof, a navigation system with a rearview camera, and steering-linked headlamps. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 ES 350.
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2009 Lexus ES 350 Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Ride | Steering feel |
| Quietness | Tight headroom for taller occupants |
| Interior materials | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
ES 350 scoots from a stop with satisfying strength. In Consumer Guide testing, an ES 350 reached 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. The transmission changes gears smoothly, but it can require lots of throttle to deliver a highway-speed downshift.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7.5 |
ES 350 scoots from a stop with satisfying strength. In Consumer Guide testing, an ES 350 reached 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. The transmission changes gears smoothly, but it can require lots of throttle to deliver a highway-speed downshift.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, ES 350s averaged 19.6-19.8 mpg overall. Other examples averaged 23.6-26.3 mpg in mostly highway driving and 18.9 with more city use and gas-eating acceleration runs. Lexus recommends premium-grade gas.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 3.9 |
In Consumer Guide testing, ES 350s averaged 19.6-19.8 mpg overall. Other examples averaged 23.6-26.3 mpg in mostly highway driving and 18.9 with more city use and gas-eating acceleration runs. Lexus recommends premium-grade gas.
Ride Quality
ES 350 excels for cushioned comfort but trails rivals for composure on bumpy roads. Some bobbing and pitching is noted at high speeds.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.3 |
ES 350 excels for cushioned comfort but trails rivals for composure on bumpy roads. Some bobbing and pitching is noted at high speeds.
Steering/Handling/Braking
ES 350 has competent front-drive behavior. But the ride-biased suspension tuning precludes the sporty cornering poise of the BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, or Infiniti G35. The steering filters out most road feel. Brake performance is good, though the pedal feels mushy in simulated panic stops.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 6.8 |
ES 350 has competent front-drive behavior. But the ride-biased suspension tuning precludes the sporty cornering poise of the BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, or Infiniti G35. The steering filters out most road feel. Brake performance is good, though the pedal feels mushy in simulated panic stops.
Quietness
Among class leaders, with excellent isolation from road and wind noise. The V6 suffers from minor vibration at idle but sounds rich in rapid acceleration.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 7.1 |
Among class leaders, with excellent isolation from road and wind noise. The V6 suffers from minor vibration at idle but sounds rich in rapid acceleration.
Controls
The large gauges are clearly marked. The steering wheel spoke hides the windshield wiper stalk, and the rain-sensing wiper function is frustratingly inconsistent. The navigation system absorbs some audio and climate controls, requiring familiarization.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.8 |
The large gauges are clearly marked. The steering wheel spoke hides the windshield wiper stalk, and the rain-sensing wiper function is frustratingly inconsistent. The navigation system absorbs some audio and climate controls, requiring familiarization.
Details
Though dull looking to some testers, wood trim, padded surfaces, and grained panels combine to create an upscale, if not quite opulent, cabin environment.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 7.6 |
Though dull looking to some testers, wood trim, padded surfaces, and grained panels combine to create an upscale, if not quite opulent, cabin environment.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Tall occupants will complain of too little headroom beneath the housing from the sunroof or panorama ceiling. Legroom is generous, though. The seats are nicely padded and contoured for set-and-forget support. Outward visibility is very good, enhanced by the convenience of the available rearview camera.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 |
Tall occupants will complain of too little headroom beneath the housing from the sunroof or panorama ceiling. Legroom is generous, though. The seats are nicely padded and contoured for set-and-forget support. Outward visibility is very good, enhanced by the convenience of the available rearview camera.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Again, taller riders will want more headroom. Knees won't be cramped, though foot space is a tad tight beneath front seats. The cushion is comfortably shaped but is a little low to the floor for best thigh support. Three-across will be OK for short distances thanks to the soft padding and a nearly flat floorboard that makes the center position more comfortable than most competitors. The panorama roof enhances the airy cabin feel. Entry and exit are easy.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 4.6 |
Again, taller riders will want more headroom. Knees won't be cramped, though foot space is a tad tight beneath front seats. The cushion is comfortably shaped but is a little low to the floor for best thigh support. Three-across will be OK for short distances thanks to the soft padding and a nearly flat floorboard that makes the center position more comfortable than most competitors. The panorama roof enhances the airy cabin feel. Entry and exit are easy.
Cargo Room
Sickle-shaped trunklid hinges impede on the otherwise roomy and usefully shaped trunk. Liftover is low, but the opening is cramped for loading bulky boxes. The rear seatback has a pass-through opening. Cabin storage is just adequate. The center console lid slides up and back, making access to console bin awkward.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3.8 |
Sickle-shaped trunklid hinges impede on the otherwise roomy and usefully shaped trunk. Liftover is low, but the opening is cramped for loading bulky boxes. The rear seatback has a pass-through opening. Cabin storage is just adequate. The center console lid slides up and back, making access to console bin awkward.
Value within Class
Lexus paints its trimmer, tauter IS model as a performance luxury car. The bigger, more comfortable ES 350 is focused on coddling, which it does extremely well. That's what makes ES a 2008 Best Buy pick among premium-midsize cars.
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 10 | 9 | 6.5 |
Lexus paints its trimmer, tauter IS model as a performance luxury car. The bigger, more comfortable ES 350 is focused on coddling, which it does extremely well. That's what makes ES a 2008 Best Buy pick among premium-midsize cars.
Total Score
| Base w/Premium Plus | Base w/Ultra Luxury | Class Average |
| 73 | 72 | 67.9 |
Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars
| Low Score | 56 | |
| Average Score | 67 | |
| High Score | 77 |
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2009 Lexus ES 350 Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/13/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
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
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Lexus ES 350 Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Lexus ES 350 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 109.3 |
| Overall Length, in. | 191.1 |
| Overall Width, in. | 71.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3580 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 14.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.2 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.8 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.9 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.5 /211 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 272 @ 6200 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 254 @ 4700 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 6-speed automatic | 19/27 |
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 350 4-door sedan |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
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%.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2009 Lexus ES 350 Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lexus ES 350 Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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