2015 Lexus ES 350

2015 Lexus ES 350

Comfort and traditional luxury are keywords for the Lexus ES family, which lands squarely between the IS and GS sport sedans in the lineup, as a plush, less-performance-oriented counterpart to both models. The 2015 Lexus ES 350 and ES 330h hybrid are based on the Toyota Avalon architecture (rather than, a few years ago, the Camry), and with a major redesign a couple of model years ago they gained more engaging road manners, a more interesting shape, improved technology features, and a new hybrid model that actually ends up giving the rest of the ES package a reason for being.

• Interior / Exterior »

The overall appearance of the ES family remains conservative; but with last year’s redesign, including the new hourglass (‘spindle’) grille and a few more curves at the rear flanks, the ES is no longer an accessory to slab-sided boredom.

The corners of the ES models, in front and in back, are just a little more squared-off than in the previous-generation model, but it’s the profile and side sheetmetal that now look quite attractive and contemporary. All ES models get the new Lexus ‘spindle grille’—we call it the hourglass grille—that tapers into the bumper, expanding outward again below into the air dam. As well, there are LED running lamps helping to accentuate the look, while in back the taillamps not come to a point that continues as a centerline, on either side, into the beltline. The profile remains a bit formal, but with the smooth, organic sculpting of the side sheetmetal, it’s definitely not homely.

A shelf-like horizontal layout for the dash definitely sets a space-efficient theme inside, and corners that are pushed outward help with the sense of space. The navigation system screen fits mid-contour, up top, and we appreciate the curviness of the instrument panel, as well as the positioning of the hooded nav screen. The curves and contours are great, but we could do without the overabundance of matte-matellic trim; as with piano-black trim, too much of it isn’t a good thing.

• Performance »

As has always been the case with this model line, the 2015 Lexus ES models place performance after comfort in the priority list — and that’s perfectly fine for most shoppers who might consider this roomy sedan. While it retains a relaxed driving demeanor, you might be surprised by how athletic this model has become when you really need it to hustle.

There is also, in all fairness, a difference in how the two ES models accelerate accelerate; the V-6 models are still the quickest and smoothest, surely, but the ES 300h—which pairs a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor-generator system—is surprisingly vivid. Lexus’ Drive Select gets Eco and Power modes, and you have a choice in how the hybrid system responds, and there’s even now an EV-only mode.

The ES 300h returns an EPA 40 mpg city, 39 highway (much better than the ES 350′s 21/31), so the real payoff really comes at the pump, and you need to determine whether the vastly lower fuel efficiency of the ES 350 is worth its somewhat sportier feel.

With the latest version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, essentially, pairing a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric generator, along with a planetary power-split system and complex set of electronic controls. Sport, Eco, EV, and Normal modes give you better control over what you want from the system, and when. Sport mode steps up the responsiveness, Eco increases the fuel economy. EV mode allows the car to travel short distances at low speeds without the use of any gasoline–it’s good for stop-and-go traffic and creeping into the driveway.
In other aspects of the driving experience, the ES 300h shows Toyota’s experience in making a hybrid system smooth and unobtrusive, yet responsive. Provided you drive the 300h relatively softly—just with traffic, for instance—the system goes about its business in the background; and if you have the sound system on, it might as well be a V-6, or an exceptionally smooth four-cylinder under the hood. The transitions between electric and gasoline-electric operation are that seamless. However, ask for the powertrain to deliver more performance—on a curvy road, or when merging with high-speed freeway traffic, and the hybrid powertrain lets itself be known. Engineers have firmed up the ride and handling of the ES 350 a tad—just enough to give a slightly more buttoned-down feel but not so much as to mess with this model’s already established priority: comfort. Straight-line tracking is also greatly improved compared to the outgoing version, and the steering is weighted better, with a quicker ratio. The changes together give it a surprisingly athletic, if not nimble, feel.
Thanks to its 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, the ES 350 can move very quickly. It’s essentially the same engine as in the Camry V-6, but with added measures that help cut noise and vibration. It revs eagerly through the gears of the six-speed automatic with such a seamless flow of power that the speed can creep up on you on a straight road. Because there’s so little engine noise the speed can creep up on you in deceptive ways. Shifts are a little lumpier on gentle takeoffs, but this is an exceptionally responsive, refined powertrain.
Brake-pedal response is one area that we’d like to see improve, however; over a couple of drives of the ES, we’ve found the pedal feel to be way too spongy, lacking any reassuring firmness. In ES 300h hybrid models, there’s a different version of the same issue, as they have regenerative braking that helps recover excess energy, and the transition between brake regen and the brake pads themselves isn’t as smooth as the other aspects of this car’s driving interface.

The ES family, overall, does a decent job of appeasing both the comfort-oriented luxury shoppers and the ones who expect a little more savvy and sophistication than the Lexus they’re trading in. Serious driving enthusiasts will pass the ES by on the way to the IS or GS (or another sharp sport sedan like the BMW 3-Series), but for the vast majority of luxury shoppers, both the V-6 ES 350 or the ES 300h hybrid feel quick and responsive.

There is, in all fairness, a difference in how the two ES models accelerate accelerate; the V-6 models are still the quickest and smoothest, surely, but the ES 300h—which pairs a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor-generator system—is surprisingly vivid. Lexus’ Drive Select gets Eco and Power modes, and you have a choice in how the hybrid system responds, and there’s even now an EV-only mode. The new ES 300h returns an EPA 40 mpg city, 39 highway (much better than the ES 350′s 21/31), so the real payoff really comes at the pump.

The overall appearance of the ES family remains conservative; but with last year’s redesign, including the new hourglass (‘spindle’) grille and a few more curves at the rear flanks, the ES is no longer an accessory to slab-sided boredom. Inside, the ES got even more of a makeover, with a new shelf-like horizontal design of the dash yielding more airiness; pushing the corners outward help with the sense of space for those in front, too. And in between, the navigation system’s screen fits nicely mid-contour. Overall, it feels a lot like what Lexus has done to its IS and GS sport sedans, but with a little more elegance and spaciousness.
Interior space is one of the ES sedans’ strengths, as while it’s a mid-size car on the outside, its wheelbase is now that of a large car—which really pays off in space for those in the back seat. There’s now enough room for three adults back there, if you need it, while in front, for the first time, Lexus is offering an available extendable thigh support for taller drivers (cushions are longer, too). The ride itself is firmer than that of the last-generation ES, but altogether Lexus does a better job than ever in isolating out noise from the wind, road, and engine (except for a little engine noise when accelerating in the 300h).

Active-safety features, such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Pre Collision System, are part of the ES sedans’ standard feature set; and it offers all sorts of technology and convenience extras, most as part of packages. There’s a hard-drive-based navigation system with voice command, Mark Levinson audio, upgraded leather and trims (or NuLuxe seats that can be heated and ventilated), a built-in backup camera system, and a next-generation Enform with apps. The Remote Touch is the only down side to stepping up to this setup, as its awkward, mouse-like controller has you follow a pointer on the screen.
For 2015, a backup camera is now part of the standard Display Audio system; There’s also a new Lexus Enform Remote app that allows you to remotely locate your vehicle or use features like remote starting and unlocking; Lexus has also partnered with Apple to offer ‘Siri Eyes Free Mode’ for a streamlined set of controls for iPhone users, and the navigation system now has an expanded feature set with 3D maps, predictive traffic, and improved voice commands.
Photo Gallery: Lexus USA

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