2021 Lexus ES 350 review: Sporty looks, but a cruiser at heart

Now chugging alongside in its seventh technology, the ES sedan is a stalwart of the Lexus lineup. For 2021, there’s a new ES 250 all-wheel-drive product, as well as the ES 350 F Activity Black Line you see here. But really don’t allow those people aggro appears idiot you. In spite of its sporty look, the ES 350 is a comfortable-cozy cruiser above all.

Lexus will only promote 1,500 Black Line specific editions, a package deal that adds $850 to an ES 350’s base line. The distinctive Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint appears awesome, contrasting properly with the black mirror caps and lip spoiler. Lexus’ corporate grille appears nice here, with its black end and mesh insert. I also really like the zig-zag cue of the LED headlights and the crisp, sharp taillights, which bring character to the rear. All explained to, this ES 350 is critically handsome.

The ES 350 is driven by a obviously aspirated three.5-liter V6, and its 302 horsepower and 267 pound-ft of torque are sufficient for this sedan. A sleek-shifting 8-velocity computerized transmission is typical, placing electrical power down by using entrance-wheel drive.

Unique drive modes are accessed on a tiny stalk on the right facet of the gauge cluster. Activity S method sharpens the throttle mapping and transmission shift logic, whilst Activity S Furthermore usually takes items a tiny even further, tightening the steering and stiffening the adaptive dampers. Continue to, the ES 350 is barely a sport sedan, exhibiting lots of entire body roll whilst cornering. The transmission is much way too keen to upshift and won’t downshift under braking, meaning that even with its revamped shift sample, it really is however laggy to kick down and deliver electrical power.

On the other hand, driven conveniently and easily, the ES 350 is good. This Lexus sedan filters out motor and road sounds, but if you give it the beans the V6 will make a amazingly hearty sounds. The steering is properly weighted and self-confident, with a rapid ratio for sharp switch-in. Over-all, even though, the ES 350 is just so damn comfortable. I could drive this thing for several hours and several hours on stop.

The ES 350’s fuel economic climate is rather typical for the class, the EPA score the sedan at 22 miles per gallon in the metropolis, 31 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg mixed. Six-cylinder examples of the Audi A6 and Genesis G80 aren’t as productive, but the BMW 540i and Mercedes-Benz E450 do far better.

Lexus’ Protection Program two. suite of driver-assistance technologies is typical on all trims. This package deal incorporates adaptive cruise command, lane-keeping help, lane-departure inform and road sign recognition. My F Activity tester adds blind-place checking and rear cross-website traffic inform. Throughout my tests, the forward-collision warning appears its alarm for no cause on event, and the lane-tracing tech has a couple of disengagements. Having said that, the adaptive cruise command is effective as envisioned, bringing the auto to a comprehensive cease and keeping a protected distance whilst following at significant speeds.

The tech that demands perform is inside the cabin Lexus’ Enform procedure proceeds to be a chore. An 8-inch multimedia show is typical but I’ve bought the optional twelve.three-inch display screen with embedded navigation. This procedure won’t have a touchscreen like the current Lexus LS. As a substitute, you happen to be pressured to use that terrible trackpad that I’ve complained about for a long time, which is downright unpleasant to use — specially whilst driving. On top rated of that, Enform is improperly structured with lots of menus and submenus to navigate.

Apple CarPlay and Android Car are typical, at the very least, and there are plenty of locations to cost your cellular phone. There are two USB-A ports in every single row of seats and a wireless charging pad is optional.

Oh, and the ES’ backup digital camera is tiny, distorted and blurry. Arrive on, guys. It truly is 2021.

This ES 350 tester is completely loaded with heated and cooled seats, and the total interior is superbly appointed with significant amounts of healthy and end. The center console is type of tiny, as are the doorway pockets, but the trunk can keep thirteen.nine cubic ft of cargo, which is about the similar as a BMW 5 Collection. Having said that, you won’t be able to fold the rear seats down, so really don’t check out to haul longer goods.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 begins at $41,025 such as $1,025 for destination, and the F Activity costs $5,800 more. With the Black Line pack, embedded navigation, triple-beam LED headlights, the adaptive suspension and more, the examination auto you see here arrives out to $fifty four,070. Me? I would skip a bunch of the choices and however get a super nice instance for all around $forty seven,000.

In spite of its identify, the ES 350 F Activity is not a sport sedan. But with its good appears, comfortable trip and lots of typical driver-assistance tech, if you aren’t seeking for a thrill trip, it really is undoubtedly value a seem.