2007 Lexus ES 350 Review

The ES is Lexus' top-selling car, and the sleeker, much-improved early 2007 model should allow it to hold that spot and help Lexus continue to be among the top-selling luxury nameplates in America.

Toyota's upscale Lexus division offers high-performance IS compact rear-drive and all-wheel-drive sedans, but the division is mainly known for larger, quiet, luxurious cars and upscale SUVs.

The front-drive ES long has basically been a luxury version of the Toyota Camry. Thus, while the new ES has fresh styling, additional power and more safety and convenience features, so does the 2007 Camry.

While there's a new gasoline/electric 2007 Camry hybrid, no ES hybrid is offered for 2007. If such an ES arrives, it probably will have a V-6 gasoline engine instead of the Camry hybrid's four-cylinder gas engine.

Distance between axles of the new ES has been increased 2.2 inches to 109.3 inches for a better ride and roomier interior. The standard wheel size has gone up to 17 inches from 16 inches, although the wheels wear all-season 55-series tires designed more for ride comfort than handling.

A vehicle stability control system and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution are standard. But the variable-firmness suspension with driver-selectable shock absorber firmness is gone because of little buyer interest. Such a suspension is desired by sports sedan fans, who want to switch to a firmer-ride suspension for sharper handling. The typical ES buyer couldn't care less about such a feature.

The 2006 ES was called the ES 330, but the 2007 version is the ES 350 because displacement of its butter-smooth V-6 engine jumps from 3.3 liters to 3.5 liters.

Performance of the ES 330 was a weak point because it only had 218 horsepower and was fairly heavy at 3,472 pounds. The ES 350 is slightly heavier at 3,580 pounds but provides a considerable jump to 272 horsepower, and its larger V-6 generates more torque.

The 2006 version's five-speed automatic transmission has been replaced with a more modern six-speed automatic, which adds performance and improves highway fuel economy despite the more powerful ES 350 engine.

Estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway, compared with 21 and 29 for the 2006 ES.

The six-speed unit also is more responsive because it has an extra gear with which to work. The transmission's shift gate is notchy, though, and thus moving from one gear to another can be annoying. However, the notchiness can prevent a driver from sliding into the wrong gear. The transmission has a manual shift feature, although it's doubtful that many ES 350 owners will use it.

Newly optional is a pre-collision system that does such things as ready air bags, seat belts and brakes when, say, a skid is detected. It's paired with newly available adaptive cruise control to keep a set following distance from a vehicle. A $500 Intuitive Parking Assist feature helps take the tiresome judgment from parking, and there are available steering-linked headlights. A $2,650 navigation system includes a rear camera.

There are air bags galore: Standard front side air bags and curtain side bags are newly joined by available front knee air bags and optional rear side air bags.

The ES 350 has virtually flawless fit and finish, inside and out. It's loaded with standard comfort and convenience equipment. However, a new option is a $2,480 Premium Plus option package that contains such items as heated and ventilated front seats and a perforated leather trim interior. A regular power tilt-and-slide sunroof is standard, but a new option is a "panorama" roof that combines a sliding glass sunroof with a fixed glass rear panel.

While it's no sports sedan, the ES 350 is plenty fast. Merging into fast expressway traffic is easy, and strong highway passing is illustrated by a quick 65-75 mph time. The 0-60 mph time is only 6.8 seconds.

The steering is decent, with average preciseness. The soft ride is smooth, but not sloppy, and handling is good because the ES 350 has an all-independent suspension with gas-pressurized shock absorbers and front/rear stabilizer bars. Braking power is good, although the pedal has a rather soft action.

Starting now is done with a keyless fob and a dashboard push-button, which also stops the engine.

There's plenty of room for four tall adults, with an especially roomy rear-seat area, although the stiff middle rear-seat section is best left to the large fold-down armrest, which contains dual cupholders.

Large outside mirrors enhance rear visibility and clearly marked backlit gauges can be easily read under various lighting conditions. Major dashboard controls in the church-quiet interior are easy to use. So are the front cupholders, which have covers when not in use. A large, covered console bin can swallow objects such as cell phones and garage-door openers, and front doors have storage pockets.

The large trunk has a wide, but rather high, opening. Covered trunk lid hinges avoid damaging luggage, and the lid has a large inside handle to help close it without getting hands dirty on outside sheet metal.

The hood smoothly glides open on twin struts to reveal easily reached fluid filler areas and an engine with a big plastic cover to hold down noise levels.

Toyota has distanced the ES from the Camry with each new-generation model, but sharing a basic design with the Camry has held down the cost of the ES. And that's been a definite benefit to ES buyers. 

2007 LEXUS ES 350 

PRICES : $33,170

LIKES : Nicely restyled. More power. Roomier. Posher.

DISLIKES : Rather soft brake pedal. Notchy automatic transmission shifter.