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2009 Lexus ES 350 Bottom Line

February 22, 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

To compile this conclusive review, the car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied a wide range of road tests of the 2009 Lexus ES 350. And to help you make sense where opinions differ, TheCarConnection.com's resident experts have also driven the ES 350 and add their own impressions and details.

Likes:

  • Luxuriant interior
  • Seamless power delivery
  • Collision protection
  • Smooth, quiet ride
  • Customer service at the dealership

Dislikes:

  • Absence of character
  • Lackluster performance feedback

Buying Tips:


Within the Lexus showroom, the ES 350 competes against the similarly priced but tauter and more stylish Lexus IS. Outside the Lexus showroom, the IS goes head-to-head with the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35. Make sure to test drive several vehicles if you’re unsure whether it’s a luxury sedan or sport sedan you want.

What separates the 2009 Lexus ES 350 from the Toyota Camry are exterior styling and interior refinement. The two models share basic manufacturing elements, but Lexus owners enjoy elevated customer service.

While the ES 350's rear end is appealing and tasteful, the profile is rather conservative and featureless, save for out-of-place, aggressive headlamps. Lexus says the ES 350 was styled using the brand’s so-called L-Finesse design philosophy, but the 2009 Lexus ES 350 still looks more Toyota than Lexus.

The Lexus ES 350 comes standard with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The 272-horsepower, 254-pound-feet V-6 propels the ES to 60 mph from a stop in just 6.8 seconds while managing fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway.

Handling on the 2009 Lexus ES is competent and predictable, but the driver isn't involved in the process. Steering is responsive but lacks feel. Lots of body roll and ample tire squeal actively discourage hard cornering. The MacPherson-strut front and rear suspensions are a little too soft for their own good, with too much roll and wallow for even the gentlest of country roads. While ride quality on the highway is superb, the car’s steering doesn't offer enough on-center feel, which means you're constantly making minor adjustments to keep it tracking straight.

Last year’s model finally shed its Toyota-esque interior cabin for the full and proper Lexus treatment, with soft-touch plastics, wood veneers, and quality leather trim on the steering wheel and shift knob. Seating in the 2009 Lexus ES 350 is exceptionally comfortable, too; ample space and a well-shaped rear bench create a relaxing place for four adults to while away the hours. Just crank up the optional 14-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and simply let the miles float by.

The standard equipment list for the ES is vast and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, ritzy Optitron gauges, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry with push-button start, climate control, fog lamps, moonroof, a self-dimming mirror, a trip computer, and a six-CD changer.

Other features include a SmartAccess key fob with push-button start/stop, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 10-way power seats, and a new multi-information display. A dramatic new panoramic glass sunroof is available as well on the Lexus ES 350.

The 2009 Lexus ES 350 gets a "good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and NHTSA gives it five stars for front protection, five for driver side impacts, four stars for passenger side impacts, and four stars for rollover protection. Standard safety equipment includes eight airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, and stability control.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Lexus ES 350, also consider:

Reason Why:

The ES 350 compares to stylish, albeit conservative, front-wheel-drive luxury cars that favor ride over performance. The interior of the Lexus ES 350 looks and feels expensive, but so does the trim inside the Hyundai Azera—a vehicle that handles better than the Lexus while undercutting it in price by thousands of dollars. The Lincoln MKZ is a sharper-edged car, with an interior that is at the same time more stylish but less rich-looking. The Lincoln’s engine also has more growl, and it's available with all-wheel drive. The Acura TL is a much edgier performer with a style that's up to the challenge. Another more distant rival is the Nissan Maxima, which is roomy and stylish, with a surprisingly comfortable and opulent interior—emphasizing performance without sacrificing ride. However, the Maxima doesn’t offer the superior service that names like Lexus, Lincoln, and Acura bring at the dealership level.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Lexus ES 350 is a luxurious automobile with a cushy ride that would make Buick proud—if Buick still built cars like this.

To compile this conclusive review, the car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied a wide range of road tests of the 2009 Lexus ES 350. And to help you make sense where opinions differ, TheCarConnection.com's resident experts have also driven the ES 350 and add their own impressions and details. Likes:Luxuriant interiorSeamless power deliveryCollision protectionSmooth, quiet rideCustomer service at the dealershipDislikes:Absence of characterLackluster performance feedbackBuying Tips: Within the Lexus showroom, the ES 350 competes against the similarly priced but tauter and more stylish Lexus IS. Outside the Lexus showroom, the IS goes head-to-head with the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35. Make sure to test drive several vehicles if you’re unsure whether it’s a luxury sedan or sport sedan you want. What separates the 2009 Lexus ES 350 from the Toyota Camry are exterior styling and interior refinement. The two models share basic manufacturing elements, but Lexus owners enjoy elevated customer service. While the ES 350's rear end is appealing and tasteful, the profile is rather conservative and featureless, save for out-of-place, aggressive headlamps. Lexus says the ES 350 was styled using the brand’s so-called L-Finesse design philosophy, but the 2009 Lexus ES 350 still looks more Toyota than Lexus. The Lexus ES 350 comes standard with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The 272-horsepower, 254-pound-feet V-6 propels the ES to 60 mph from a stop in just 6.8 seconds while managing fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway. Handling on the 2009 Lexus ES is competent and predictable, but the driver isn't involved in the process. Steering is responsive but lacks feel. Lots of body roll and ample tire squeal actively discourage hard cornering. The MacPherson-strut front and rear suspensions are a little too soft for their own good, with too much roll and wallow for even the gentlest of country roads. While ride quality on the highway is superb, the car’s steering doesn't offer enough on-center feel, which means you're constantly making minor adjustments to keep it tracking straight. Last year’s model finally shed its Toyota-esque interior cabin for the full and proper Lexus treatment, with soft-touch plastics, wood veneers, and quality leather trim on the steering wheel and shift knob. Seating in the 2009 Lexus ES 350 is exceptionally comfortable, too; ample space and a well-shaped rear bench create a relaxing place for four adults to while away the hours. Just crank up the optional 14-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and simply let the miles float by. The standard equipment list for the ES is vast and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, ritzy Optitron gauges, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry with push-button start, climate control, fog lamps, moonroof, a self-dimming mirror, a trip computer, and a six-CD changer. Other features include a SmartAccess key fob with push-button start/stop, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 10-way power seats, and a new multi-information display. A dramatic new panoramic glass sunroof is available as well on the Lexus ES 350. The 2009 Lexus ES 350 gets a "good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and NHTSA gives it five stars for front protection, five for driver side impacts, four stars for passenger side impacts, and four stars for rollover protection. Standard safety equipment includes eight airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, and stability control. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Lexus ES 350, also consider:Acura TLHyundai AzeraLincoln MKZNissan MaximaReason Why:The ES 350 compares to stylish, albeit conservative, front-wheel-drive luxury cars that favor ride over performance. The interior of the Lexus ES 350 looks and feels expensive, but so does the trim inside the Hyundai Azera—a vehicle that handles better than the Lexus while undercutting it in price by thousands of dollars. The Lincoln MKZ is a sharper-edged car, with an interior that is at the same time more stylish but less rich-looking. The Lincoln’s engine also has more growl, and it's available with all-wheel drive. The Acura TL is a much edgier performer with a style that's up to the challenge. Another more distant rival is the Nissan Maxima, which is roomy and stylish, with a surprisingly comfortable and opulent interior—emphasizing performance without sacrificing ride. However, the Maxima doesn’t offer the superior service that names like Lexus, Lincoln, and Acura bring at the dealership level. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Lexus ES 350 is a luxurious automobile with a cushy ride that would make Buick proud—if Buick still built cars like this. To compile this conclusive review, the car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied a wide range of road tests of the 2009 Lexus ES 350. And to help you make sense where opinions differ, TheCarConnection.com's resident experts have also driven the ES 350 and add their own impressions and ...

Other Choices:

The ES 350 compares to stylish, albeit conservative, front-wheel-drive luxury cars that favor ride over performance. The interior of the Lexus ES 350 looks and feels expensive, but so does the trim inside the Hyundai Azera—a vehicle that handles better than the Lexus while undercutting it in price by thousands of dollars. The Lincoln MKZ is a sharper-edged car, with an interior that is at the same time more stylish but less rich-looking. The Lincoln’s engine also has more growl, and it's available with all-wheel drive. The Acura TL is a much edgier performer with a style that's up to the challenge. Another more distant rival is the Nissan Maxima, which is roomy and stylish, with a surprisingly comfortable and opulent interior—emphasizing performance without sacrificing ride. However, the Maxima doesn’t offer the superior service that names like Lexus, Lincoln, and Acura bring at the dealership level.

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See the Lexus ES 350 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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