2023 Lexus ES 350 interior
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OverviewThe Lexus ES mid-size luxury sedan excels in comfort and offers buyers a much lower starting price than ostensible competitors like the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-class. That’s because it’s a Toyota Camry underneath, with sleeker styling and posh interior furnishings. In our testing we’ve found its performance and driving character underwhelming and called it a “rolling Xanax pill”—a backhanded compliment of sorts for the way it isolates its driver and passengers from the bumps, thumps, and harsh noises of the outside world. The ES’s cabin is one of the more comfortable in the segment, its powertrains are silken and quiet, and its ride soothingly smooth. It’s simply not a car for people who love to drive. But it can be a car for people who love to save fuel: the 300h hybrid model returned 45 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test. Where This Vehicle RanksWhat's New for 2023?For the 2023 model year Lexus introduces a new F Sport Handling package across the entire ES sedan model lineup along with a few new interior accoutrements. The F Sport Handling package is similar to the Dynamic Handling package that was available last year–which was then exclusive to ES350 F Sport models. It includes an adaptive suspension with Sport+ and custom drive modes in addition to a heated, F Sport-branded steering wheel. Buyers can now also pair a panoramic roof with the F Sport Design package. On the inside, the ES sees new Ash Bamboo trim, a new Macadamia upholstery color (light tan), and an updated center console design, garnished with a sunglass holder, a revised cup holder location, and a new sport for the wireless charger pad. The Lexus Interface infotainment system has also been added to the ES, bringing with it wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Drive Connect Capability with Cloud Navigation, Hey Lexus intelligent assist software, and the subscription-based Destination Assist service. We’re happy to report that the addition of this new multimedia system results in the deletion of the Remote Touch Interface—the fussy touch pad located on the center console. Pricing and Which One to Buy
ES350 $42,490 ES250 $42,490 ES300h $43,690 ES350 F Sport $47,075 ES250 F Sport $47,075 ES350 Luxury $47,660 ES250 Luxury $47,660 ES300h F Sport $48,075 ES300h Luxury $48,860 ES350 Ultra Luxury $51,280 ES250 Ultra Luxury $51,280 ES300h Ultra Luxury $52,480 While we’re always weighing whether to recommend a car’s sportiest version or a high-value mid-grade trim, in this case we think that the priciest Ultra Luxury model is most in keeping with the ES’s mission and core capabilities as a luxury sedan. The Ultra Luxury designation adds special 18-inch wheels, quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery, a hands-free power trunk lid, a power rear sunshade, and a wood-and-leather steering wheel. It also requires the addition of the Navigation package, which upgrades the infotainment display to the larger 12.3-inch setup and adds in-dash navigation, an electrochromic rearview mirror, a DVD player, voice recognition, and the automaker’s Enform Destination Assist service. Engine, Transmission, and PerformanceThe Lexus ES gives buyers a choice of three powertrains. The ES250 is powered by a 203-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and comes standard with all-wheel drive. All ES350 trims come with a 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 302 horsepower and is governed by an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. With all ES350h trims, motivation comes from a hybrid powertrain that provides a net output of 215 horsepower; a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive are standard. At our test track, the gas-only ES350 sprinted from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The all-wheel drive ES250 and the hybrid ES350h both made the dash in a more leisurely 8.1 and 8.3 seconds, respectively. This Lexus sedan exhibits the composed handling and forgiving ride quality that's cherished by many luxury-car shoppers. For those seeking keener handling, the F Sport trim adds larger wheels and suspension tuning that's more performance oriented, but hardly enthralling. Even with this upgrade the ES is less athletic than competing models such as the BMW 5-series. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGAccording to the EPA, mileage for the Lexus ES350 tops out at 22/32 mpg city/highway. As you'd expect, the ES350h hybrid is even more frugal, achieving mileage of 43/44 mpg. The EPA's fuel economy estimates for the new ES250 are 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. During our time with an ES350, we observed mileage of 39 mpg during highway driving at 75 mph over the course of 200 miles. With the ES350h, we observed fuel economy of 45 mpg on the same test route and with the ES250 we observed 33 mpg. For more information about the ES's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and CargoWith its stylish, asymmetrical dash and high-quality materials, the ES's cabin creates a plush environment for passengers. Both rows offer enough legroom for the long-legged, and the seats provide comfortable support. Notably, the cabin is unfailingly peaceful, even when the ES is being driven at highway speeds. Both gas-only and hybrid models provide 17.0 cubic feet of room in the trunk, and this gives the ES more cargo space than rivals such as the Volvo S90 (14.0 cubic feet) and Acura TLX (14.0 cubic feet). Unfortunately, the ES isn't available with a folding rear seat. This makes it difficult for this Lexus to accommodate outsize cargo. Infotainment and ConnectivityLuxury-car buyers look for vehicles offering the latest and greatest tech features, and the Lexus ES sedan doesn't disappoint. It comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system with a standard 8.0-inch central display, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are onboard to provide hassle-free device integration; a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen is optional. All models come with a 10-speaker sound system equipped with SiriusXM satellite radio. The list of standard tech amenities also includes Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth phone and music streaming, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Scout GPS Link navigation. Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesAll ES models come standard with Lexus's Safety System+ 2.5, which includes driver-assistance features such as pedestrian and cyclist detection, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. For more information about the ES's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageLexus provides longer warranty coverage than rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. However, it trails Genesis in this area, which offers one of the best warranties in the segment.
SpecificationsSpecifications 2021 Lexus ES250 AWD F-Sport VEHICLE TYPE PRICE AS TESTED ENGINE TYPE TRANSMISSION CHASSIS DIMENSIONS C/D TEST RESULTS C/D FUEL ECONOMY EPA FUEL ECONOMY C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Will the 2023 Lexus ES 350 be redesigned?A number of enhancements have been made to the Lexus ES executive sedan for the 2023 Model Year. Detail changes in the cabin improve connectivity, one of the top priorities for premium car customers, and most markets in Eastern and Western Europe will be offered a new F SPORT Design model grade.
Will 2023 Lexus ES 350 have AWD?Is the Lexus ES 4WD? It can be. All-wheel drive is standard on the ES 250, but not available on the ES 350 or ES 300h.
Will the Lexus ES be discontinued?It's possible that 2023 might be the final year for the current Lexus ES. We expect the spacious and value-packed Lexus ES 350 to remain relatively unchanged for 2023. Its future beyond that is less certain given that Toyota has discontinued the Avalon upon which the ES is based.
What is the BMW equivalent to the Lexus ES 350?The BMW 540 has about the same turning radius as the Lexus ES 350, allowing equal maneuverability in and out of tight spots.
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