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By: New Car Test Drive Staff
Photo Credit: Lexus
Overview
The Lexus ES 350 is a mid-size sedan that celebrates smoothness, quietude and sophistication. The Lexus ES doesn't suffer the hard ride of a German sports sedan. You can safely sip a cappuccino on the way to work. The ride is smooth, the engine is smooth, the six-speed automatic is flawless, everything is quiet.
The ES 350 is quick and responsive, benefitting from a newly developed 272-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine. Lexus says it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, a solid performance. Yet the ES 350 is also certified to the Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) standard.
The ES 350 was completely redesigned for the 2007 model year and there are only minor revisions for 2008, such as new personal reading lamps for rear-seat riders.
The Lexus ES series has come a long way. When Toyota launched its premium Lexus brand in late 1989, its entry-level model was the ES 250, with a thinly disguised Camry chassis and powertrain under a mildly upgraded body and interior. With each succeeding generation, the ES has better met the needs of the entry-luxury segment, with more room, more space, more power, and more standard equipment. And more safety features.
Lexus presents the ES and IS as a one-two challenge to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35 and M35, Audi A6, Saab 9-3, Volvo S60, and a host of domestics in this popular class. The ES is designed to emphasize ride quality and smoothness, while the IS is oriented around sharp handling and is designed to be a driver's car. The ES uses front-wheel drive, while the IS is rear-wheel drive. We like both, depending on the mood and the task at hand.
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