Luxury, but with a sportier side
Comfort and style designed to attract younger buyers
In the past year, Lexus has revamped its product portfolio more than just about any other purveyor of luxury cars. Part of the reason was the stereotypical buyer was older. In short, there was a need for younger blood to keep sales ticking along. To that end, the redesigned GS is now offered with the F Sport package and the recently released LS is available with Brembo brakes. That is a radical departure from yesteryear to say the least.
The ES 350 has undergone similar, if slightly more subdued, changes. While there is no F Sport or sport package, the tone of the car has shifted from decidedly pedestrian to something that is far sportier in nature.
The ES 350 is powered by a carry-over powertrain, which is, perhaps, the lone questionable decision. While there are no complaints about the 3.5-litre V-6 and the 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque it produces, there is a question about the transmission. It is same six-speed manumatic used before. The reason I question the transmission is not because of its work ethic or smoothness (both are exemplary) but because of the number of gears. BMW offers eight speeds, Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti seven. The inclusion of one or two more gears would close up the ES’s gear spacing, which would further hone a delightful driving experience.
Quibble aside, the ES 350 does possess a surprisingly sporty tone for a luxury car. When pressed to the maximum, the ES 350 runs from rest to 100 km/h in seven seconds and manages the more important 80-to-120-km/h passing move in 3.9 seconds. Both times are more than matches for the intended competition.
The other twist is found in the Drive Mode Select system. It allows the driver to select Eco, Normal or Sport modes. Eco is for the birds, as it softens the throttle way too much. The Normal mode is perfect for everyday use — there is a sense of urgency, yet the transmission upshifts early to promote fuel efficiency when loafing about town. My preferred mode was Sport. It sharpens the throttle response, delays the upshifts and it allows the transmission to kick down smartly whenever called upon.
In terms of handling, the ES 350 ditches the old mobile living room sensation and replaces it with a much sportier feel. First, there is much more weight and feel in the electrically assisted steering. Second, the reworked suspension is firmer without impinging on the ride quality. Throw in the optional P225/45R18 tires that are part of the Technology package on the tester and the ES 350 hunkers down and delivers surprisingly European-like handling characteristics. When compared with the previous car, the marked handling/comportment improvement really does speak to the need to appeal to a younger audience.
The 2013 ES has been upsized to improve interior space. It is 40 millimetres longer overall and now rides on a 2,820-mm wheelbase, which is up 45 mm. The beneficiaries here are the rear-seat riders. The increased legroom and flat floor allows a pair of adults to luxuriate comfortably. Likewise, the 15.2-cubic-foot trunk accommodates a family’s worth of luggage with ease. The only concession to flexibility is a ski pass- though — no folding seats, even in the non-hybrid version.
The rest of the interior is typical Lexus — top-notch materials and a logical layout. Naturally, there is the all-encompassing Remote Touch system in place. Yes, it is fairly easy to navigate, but it would make life so much easier if it was combined with a touchscren. Having to operate a mouse while driving is far more distracting than being able to touch a screen that sits high and well within the driver’s peripheral line of sight.
Content? With the $12,250 Technology package along for the ride, it verges on being overwhelming. The good bits are the Mark Levinson sound system. It is simply exquisite — it bangs out 835 watts of crystal-clear sound through 15 speakers. The blind spot monitoring, heated/cooled front seats, which are wrapped in a buttery-soft leather, highintensity-discharge headlights, adaptive cruise, cross-traffic alert and park assist systems are also greatly appreciated. The rest is, well, overkill.
The latest ES 350 takes a marked step forward. It is supremely comfortable, it can be a loafer or something rather sporty and it has so much more visual punch than before. It also enjoys a price advantage over most of its intended competition.