2019 Lexus ES 350 Review

ES is probably the most quintessentially Lexus model in this Japanese automaker’s lineup.

A cornerstone product since it launched alongside the LS flagship four-door back in 1989, it’s always been a paragon of smoothness, comfort, and quality; virtues that form the bedrock of Lexus’ long-term success.

And even though Toyota’s luxury division is actively trying to distance itself from these arguably less-than-thrilling qualities by pushing bolder design and entering new vehicle segments, there will always be a market for cars that prioritize refinement, luxury and bulletproof dependability over flash-in-the-pan gimmicks and high-fashion design.

All new for 2019, the seventh-generation ES sedan continues to pamper well-heeled passengers as it always has, but it does so with more pizzazz and emotional appeal than ever before.

Undergirded by the brand’s Global Architecture K structure (GA-K in Lexus shorthand), a derivative of the widely used TNGA toolkit, ES shares numerous components and a few important dimensions with the Toyota Avalon. Compared to its predecessor, this car is 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) longer overall, a whisker lower, nearly 2 inches wider (4.6 cm) with a wheelbase that’s been stretched by 2 inches (5.1 cm). These changes make it more spacious and comfortable but also better to drive. Curiously, the ES’s overall length and wheelbase are identical to its blue-collar sibling.

Perusing the range, the ES 350 is the mainstream, gasoline-powered version and will account for the overwhelming majority of sales. As before, a hybrid variant will also be offered, the ES 300h, which is estimated to account for around 15 percent of deliveries, give or take. Brand new for ‘19 is a fashion-forward F Sport version, which brings new features and design to this stalwart nameplate. These models are expected to account for around 25 percent of all deliveries.

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Broadening its appeal, the ES is going global. For the new model year, it’ll be sold in more than 90 markets around the world, a radical departure from the previous six generations, which were only offered in North America.

Two powertrains will be available in this latest Lexus. Mainline and F Sport versions brandish a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 that’s rated at 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of peak torque. It comes exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission that routes twist to the front wheels. Aside from gaining 34 horsepower and 19 torques, this drivetrain is more economical than ever. Fuel economy is estimated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on highway drives, scores that result in a combined rating of 26 MPG.

Bystanders are sure to notice the ES’s bold new exterior design, which is dominated by an unmistakable spindle grille positioned front and center, a motif that’s mirrored on the car’s back end. Further enhancing its curb appeal, the hood has been lowered and A-pillars pushed rearward, providing a sportier stance.

But really, it’s what’s inside that counts and the ES does not disappoint. The cabin is richly appointed with scads of squishy-soft plastics and creamy-smooth leather. The design is both futuristic and elegant, with flowing lines and swooping surfaces along with no-nonsense controls and friendly sightlines.

One of the cockpit’s more interesting elements are the pair of stubby knobs that sprout from the meter-cluster hood like the horns of a juvenile goat; they also bring to mind the interior of an early ‘90s Chevrolet Corsica, but I digress. Moving with well-oiled fluidity, one enables or disables the stability-control system while the other rifles through the car’s various driving modes.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Toyota Avalon Review

Taking center stage in higher-end ES 350s is a gigantic 12.3-inch display. Crisp and clear, it’s home to the optional infotainment system with embedded navigation. Manipulated by a laptop-like trackpad on the center console, it’s relatively easy to use, though further simplifying things Apple CarPlay is also baked in so drivers can pick their infotainment poison. This smartphone-connectivity feature is also coming to the standard Lexus Multimedia System after October 1.

If you plan on using the new ES to haul passengers, you’ll be pleased to know it still excels at this. Backseat space is generous for both knees and shoulders, though at six-feet tall the peak of my coiffure barely brushed the headliner when I sat up straight. Taller riders should have no issues getting comfy in this sedan.

Trunk space is likewise generous, clocking in at just shy of 17 cubic feet (473 liters). Additionally, it can now be opened with a kick of your leg under the rear bumper, an immensely helpful feature when your hands are full.

This car’s mainline 302-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is smooth throughout its rev range, with electronic vacuum-controlled engine mounts suppressing vibration at idle. However, even with 267 pound-feet of maximum torque, the ES doesn’t feel quite as quick as it should. Acceleration is more than adequate with this bulky sedan hitting 60 miles an hour from a dead stop in a claimed 6.6 seconds, but in real-world use, it feels less responsive.

While slick both up and down, the standard eight-speed automatic transmission doesn’t seem to help this car sprint. It’s reluctant to drop gears when you floor the accelerator or shift it yourself. Apparently, Toyota engineers are terrified of letting their engines go anywhere near redline, which, oddly enough, has been increased to 6,600 rpm for 2019. If you try to downshift the ES it won’t drop a gear if the revs would top roughly 4,000, which is, frankly, ridiculous.

The F Sport gets a few more changes, including differentiated exterior styling, a mesh-textured grille and unique paint colors; a few interior changes with new (and more comfortable) front seats; and the addition of Adaptive Variable Suspension, which includes adjustable dampers. However, these cars hardly feel any different from standard models. Switching between the F Sport’s various drive modes I couldn’t feel any ride-quality or performance difference between them, which is just as disappointing as in the 2019 Avalon.