2011 Lexus ES 350

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There are different ways to experience luxury, and the ES 350 characterizes Lexus' initial approach to the subject. Lexus recognizes that not everyone wants their luxury defined by sharp reflexes and constant driver engagement.

For some, indeed many, true luxury is less like a personal trainer - all buff and energetic and pushing you to improve - and more like a butler: Quiet, attentive and always striving to make your day easier and more relaxed.

Enter the ES 350. It makes no pretensions about being a performance car. Sure, it can handle itself well enough, being based on the well-honed front-wheel drive Toyota Camry and fitted with a powerful 3.5L V6. But where it stands out is in offering a wide array of meticulously crafted creature comforts and a superbly quiet, silky ride.

The ES carries Lexus' L Finesse design language elegantly. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)

This isn't a luxury car that seeks to engage you with the road, but rather its one that aims to insulate you against the vagaries of the world.

If that's not your thing, that's okay: For those of us who prefer our cars to have the athletic reflexes and engaging demeanor of a personal trainer, Lexus offers genuine choice with the rear-wheel drive IS 250 and IS 350 sport-luxury sedans, so you can look up one of those models and skip the rest of this review. But for those who like the sound of the ES, read on and be prepare to be pampered.

First introduced in North America back in 1989, the ES series has been a stalwart part of the Lexus lineup ever since the marque's inception, and is now in its fifth generation (the current ES 350 debuted in 2006). The styling, in keeping with the car's character, is discreet and elegant, with flowing lines,

Sumptuous leather, tasteful wood appliques, high-quality materials and features galore. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)

restrained detailing and a horizontally ribbed grille framed by gently upswept headlights. It's a good-looking car with solid presence (especially in my test car's dark Truffle Mica paint), but it is by no means showy. Indeed, if it has a fault it might be that it's a bit bland.

The interior, on the other hand, is uniquely styled and makes an impressive statement. The dashboard is dominated by a tall, ovoid centre console, with sculpted lines tying everything together and beautiful wood trim providing visual interest. A large touch-screen display anchors the centre console, surrounded by a logical array of switches. There's a lot of technology available at your fingertips here, and thanks to a pleasantly intuitive user interface I found everything easy to operate. Standard features include premium audio with Bluetooth connectivity, six-CD changer, XM satellite radio and auxiliary input jack, and our test car had the

Extreme comfort. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)

optional Navigation package with voice-activated GPS, USB input and backup camera.

Buttery-soft perforated leather seating is standard, and in my test car it was a relaxing creamy colour Lexus calls Parchment. Standard 10-way power adjustment for both the driver and passenger assure that you'll be able to find a comfortable position, while standard front seat heaters will keep you warm. The test car's navigation package also added seat ventilation fans up front to keep you cool in the summer. My only quibbles were that I found the seat cushion just a touch short for my legs (easily remedied by upgrading to the Premium package, which includes an adjustable driver's seat cushion length) and that none of the optional packages include rear seating heating, let alone rear seat cooling. In other respects

Traditional luxury done very well. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)

the rear seat was very comfortable, with generous leg and shoulder room, although thanks to the sloping roofline the headroom might be a bit tight for taller passengers (at 5' 11" I was just shy of brushing the roof).

On the road the ES 350 is - above all else - quiet, smooth and solid feeling. The 3.5L V6 is hooked up to a 6-speed electronically-controlled transmission and in normal driving they work together to provide refined, seamless power while turning in economy ratings of 10.9 / 7.2 L/100km (city/hwy). But as unobtrusive as it is in day-to-day driving, that same V6 churns out 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, so when you mash your foot to the floor the ES bounds forward with surprising speed. It's a bit like finding out one night that your unassuming butler can take down a mugger using mixed martial arts.

In the corners the ES handles itself

The ES might be one of Lexus' more comfort-oriented sedans, but it can still handle. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)

with reasonable aplomb, especially considering how smoothly and softly it rides in a straight line. It doesn't wallow or bounce, but instead settles in to hard corners with a certain degree of controlled body lean and speed-scrubbing understeer - all very predictable and safe.

Overall, after living with the ES 350 for a week the foremost impression I got was how easy and relaxing the car makes everyday driving. It's packed with technology and conveniences that, like a good butler, work so unobtrusively in the background as to go unnoticed. There's all the expected safety items of course - 10 airbags, ABS brakes with brake assist and brakeforce distribution, all that good stuff - but there's also dozens of little things that make driving better: auto-dimming rearview mirrors, automatic climate control, power moonroof, keyless entry and start,

The ES remains one of Lexus' most popular models. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)

solar-energy absorbing glass, rain-sensing wipers, water-repellent front door glass and the list goes on. You could drive around for years and not even know the car had some of these features. You'd just know that car headlights don't blind you from behind like they used to, and the rain doesn't obscure your vision out the side as badly as you remember, and the sun doesn't seem to beat through the glass so relentlessly.

Perhaps the best thing about the ES 350 is that all these features, all this luxury, comes in what counts as an entry-level luxury price. It's a lot of luxury for the money, from one of the few marques that lets you order up your luxury as you like it - sporty or supple.
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