Teresa’s View
In a blind taste test I know I could pick a Lexus. How can you miss that buttery smooth ride? The aroma of sumptuous leather? The panoramic array of technological trickery?
The car de jour is the 2007 Lexus ES 350, a sedan that promises luxury and performance at a less-than-prestigious price.
The fifth-generation ES 350 gets a new, contemporary design that distinguishes it as a member of the Lexus family. Snazzy, yet still classy, the style is a departure from Lexus’ trademark conservative approach.
Power is provided by a new 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers 272 horsepower – 54 more horsies than the previous 3.3-liter engine. A new six-speed automatic transmission replaces the former five-speed tranny.
According to Lexus, the new power plant gives the ES 350 enough “go” to make the 0-to-60 dash in 6.8 seconds.
Although Lexus touts the ES 350 as a performance-luxury sedan, the truth is it leans hard to the luxury side. The suspension is tuned to be more smooth than sporty, and that appears to be exactly what ES 350 customers prefer, making it Lexus’ most popular model.
Hint: If it’s sporty you fancy, check out the rear-wheel drive IS 350’s ying to the front-wheel drive ES 350’s yang.
Here’s my favorite part: open the door and let the pampering begin. The accommodations are sublime and the atmosphere serene. Oh, what’s that you hear? That would be “quiet,” unless you wish to listen to tunes on the most excellent optional Mark Levinson audio system.
Two of the ES 350’s newest technology tricks are the optional Pre-Collision System — it prepares airbags, seatbelts, and brakes when sensors indicate an imminent crash — and the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which automatically maintains the distance between you and the vehicle you are following.
The ES 350 is the first Lexus to offer owner-customizable settings. Now, instead of having the dealer make the adjustment, you can try to figure out how to program the settings for the lighting, windows, moonroof, tilt steering wheel and door locks.
What Is It?: The Lexus ES 350 is a midsize, four-door, five-passenger, near-luxury, Camry-based sedan. The new 2007 ES 350 is offered in a single trim. This review comes with a warning — the $34K price can jump dramatically with the addition of expensive option packages that include everything from leather-trim interior to a voice-activated navigation system with back-up camera.
Gadget Rating: 8 out of 10. Near-luxury is a misnomer in the gadget department. So many features are standard, including SmartAccess keyless entry with push-button start and stop; power glass moonroof; 10-way power driver seat; automatic dual zone climate controls and power door with an anti-lock-out feature.
Safety: Vehicle Stability Control with traction control system is now standard. Also standard are anti-lock brakes, Brake Assist and eight airbags, including new knee airbags for both the driver and front-seat passenger.