Lexus ES350 2015 review

Lexus is particularly active in Australia at the moment as it continues to push its way into competition with Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz.

The assault on the big name Europeans began many years ago with the flagship LS400 saloon. That was followed by the smaller, and significantly less expensive ES300. The latest in the ES line, the new ES350 is the subject of our review this week.

Design

Lexus ES350 has the now familiar spindle grille, a bold shape that's unmistakable thanks to its sheer size. Flanking this grille are halogen projector-style headlamps incorporating L-shaped LED daytime running lights. (The L-shape represents L for Lexus, though you do have to use a bit of imagination to see this.) LEDs are also used in the rear lights.

The new ES series is referred to as a four-door sedan but has a sleek shape that almost puts it into the four-door-coupe class.

The shape isn't just about style, the co-efficient of drag of drag (Cd) is an impressively good 0.27.

Sports Luxury occupants can settle into ventilated front seats, with ten-way power adjustment. Climate control is spread over three zones. The rear seats are heated. Unwanted glare and heat can be warded off by rear side sunshades.

We loved the dashboard styling with its wide tapered ends.

This is almost a full five-seater, there's no skimping on seating space, with even the centre spot in the back being reasonably wide and comfortable.

The first impression in settling into the new Lexus ES is quality

Features

There's Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming and digital radio.

A Mark Levinson audio system has been designed specifically for Lexus. It powers no fewer than 15 speakers and sounds brilliant no matter what your choice of entertainment.

Thankfully the Lexus remote Touch Controller has been modified since we first tested it. The first system had a control switch that behaved almost like a joystick and moved so freely it made the cursor shoot all over the screen. Now, more resistance has been designed in to the stick and it's much easier to use. Though we have to say we do prefer just about everyone else's controllers.

Engine / Transmission

The Lexus ES350 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing maximum power of 204kW and peak torque of 346Nm. A six-speed automatic transmission drives the ES through the front wheels.

The driver's mood lets them select from the Lexus Drive Mode system. Controlled through a knob on the centre console it offers Normal, Sport or Eco vehicle performance.

Safety

Standard safety features in all Lexus ES variants include 10 airbags; ABS brakes; stability and traction control; pedestrian protection system; tyre pressure warning; blind spot monitor; hill-start assist; and reversing camera and parking sensors.

Active safety in the Sports Luxury uses a pre-collision system that beeps and flashes if it senses a crash appears imminent. Emergency braking is also applied.

Active cruise control keeps the ES Sports Luxury at a given time (not distance) from a vehicle in front.

Driving

The first impression in settling into the new Lexus ES is quality. The front seats are spacious, and are supportive without being overly soft. There's good rear legroom and headroom back there is fine for anyone under about 1.9 metres.

Comfort is high on the list and the mid-size Lexus has the ability to iron out almost all that Australian roads toss under it. It's perhaps not quite in the Commodore and Falcon class in the bush, but doesn't miss by much.

Aimed squarely at those who want luxurious cruising and commuting rather than driving excitement

In what has always been the Lexus way, the ES series is near silent in its running with the engine being well damped and the thick glass and multi-insulation body areas keeping NVH well outside.

Lexus ES has few sporting pretensions and is aimed squarely at those who want luxurious cruising and commuting rather than driving excitement. Steering is too light for our tastes but the car does react fast enough to please even keen drivers. Handling is competent and there's always the feeling the car, assisted by electronic aids if you push too hard, will be mindful of your safety.

The 3.5-litre V6 is smooth, quiet and responsive. While peak torque doesn't come in till 4700 rpm to suit the sensible speed limits on European motorways, there's decent pulling power from about 2000 upwards. The six-speed auto communicates nicely with the engine and promptly drops a gear of two to give you added torque for safe overtaking.

Expect to use about 10.0-12.0L/100km during the daily commute grind, dropping to 7.0-9.0L/100km on open country roads and motorways.