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Completely redesigned for the 2002 model year, the ES 300 has become the more luxury-oriented of Lexus’ two entry-luxury automobiles. With a manual shifter and wagon variant rounding out the sportier, rear-drive IS 300 line, Lexus aimed to broaden the appeal of the ES 300 and to more closely align it with the flagship LS 430 sedan.
Its overall appearance brings the ES 300 in line with the current Lexus design philosophy, particularly in front, due to its sculpted hood lines and combination headlight clusters. The grille is larger and the roofline is more rounded, leading to chrome-trimmed, wraparound taillights in back. It is a sophisticated improvement over its predecessor, but to my eye, somewhat innocuous for this segment, particularly in our tester’s Starlight Pearl color. Some of our readers—cantankerous lot that they are—pronounce the ES 300 downright ugly, but I certainly wouldn’t go that far.
Bigger, better
The ES 300 is a bigger car for 2002, having a longer wheelbase (107.1 inches vs. 105.1) and 2.4 inches more height (to 57.3 inches). Yet it carves through the air more efficiently, thanks to improved fit in the body panels, a flat underbody and reshaped exterior mirrors, which all contribute to an extremely low 0.28 coefficient of drag, reducing wind noise. New noise absorption materials, new engine mounts and a two-stage muffler make this one of the quietest rides we’ve tested in quite awhile.
Safety features abound. Like the new Camry, the new unibody has refined crush structures and passenger compartment reinforcements. Whiplash-lessening front seats are standard, as are new side curtain airbags, extending from the A to C pillars, that augment the dual front airbags and front-seat mounted side airbags. The driver’s front airbag includes an extra-low deployment stage designed for small drivers, who are detected by the position of the seat on the seat track.
Lexus engineers have been improving handling responsiveness, thanks to improved rigidity in the suspension system’s anti-vibration subframes. At the same time, this greater rigidity assists in damping road shock and smooths out an already-smooth ride. (Smooth to the point of numb, if you’re talking about steering feedback.)
Our full-option tester was equipped with Lexus’ Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system, which adjusts strut damping in response to road surface, speed, steering and braking inputs. The system has a four-position switch on the center console, which the driver can adjust between comfort and sport modes. I found only the three stiffest settings to be usable, as the cushiest comfort setting induced more wallow than my tender equilibrium could withstand. The system does take advantage of new bushings and increased strut travel.
The standard footprint has been upgraded to include 16-inch alloy wheels and 215/60 V-rated rubber, improving ride and traction, while the braking system benefits from larger front discs and other refinements.
Powertrain madness
The 3.0-liter aluminum DOHC V-6 is borrowed from the new Camry (as are the basic platform, body panels and glass). The new five-speed automatic tranny adapts itself to driver inputs and makes better use of the engine’s broad torque curve, and is particularly responsive paired with the new drive-by-wire throttle control. Acceleration is strong and broad, but you won’t spin the tires in this baby—horsepower is 210 at 5800 rpm and torque, 220 lb-ft at 4400 rpm. When you do stand on it, the exhaust system emits a satisfyingly low V-8-esque pitch.
Such sensual experiences inside the car are what this segment’s all about. There is a new dual-zone climate control system with air filtration (much appreciated by this allergy sufferer). The black leather covering the multi-adjustable front seats was of an extremely high standard. Lovely, but somewhat reddish, California Walnut trimmed the steering wheel, console, dash and doors. The optional Mark Levinson sound system (packaged with a satellite navigation system for—gulp!--$4860) produced superb sound, although integrating its controls into the nav system’s touch screen proved confusing to some. My only complaints with the interior were that the back seat didn’t provide enough head room for my just-under-six-foot frame, and that the optional rain-sensing windshield wipers (a variable intermittent setting) didn’t work—this during a stormy week where they would have been much appreciated. We later discovered that our tester had had its windshield replaced, and that the repair may have put the moisture sensor on the blink.
One other thing—fully kitted out as our tester was, the ES 300 becomes dang close to a $40,000 proposition—nearly BMW 5-Series territory (the base price is $31,505). At that price, in this segment, you need something more enthusiast-oriented than a dressed-up Camry. The ES 300, Lexus’ biggest seller, has always been outsold by the sportier Acura 3.2 TL by nearly a 2-1 margin. And if I were a Lexus marketer, I’d be losing sleep over the Infiniti G35.
Still, at any price, it’s hard to beat the ES 300 for smoothness and refinement. It pampers and reassures, and gives buyers faith in the Lexus brand, with many owners trading up to the RX 300 or LS 430. What more could one want from an entry-level luxury sedan?
2002
Lexus ES 300
Base
price--$31,505; as tested, $39,315
Engine: 3.0-liter V-6, 210 hp
Drivetrain: Five-speed
automatic, front-wheel drive
Length x
width x height (inches): 191.1 x 71.3 x
57.3
Wheelbase: 107.1 inches
Curb
weight: 3,439
lb
EPA
City/Hwy: 21/29 mpg
Safety
equipment: Anti-lock brakes, electronic
brakeforce distribution, daytime running lights, whiplash injury lessening front
seats, dual multi-stage front airbags, front-seat mounted side airbags,
side-curtain airbags
Major
standard equipment: Moonroof; 10-way
power-adjustable front driver’s seat; eight-way power-adjustable front
passenger’s seat; heated, auto-dimming, power-adjustable exterior mirrors;
auto-dimming interior mirror; automatic dual-zone climate control with air
filtration; California Walnut interior trim; cruise control; multi-information
display with trip computer; power windows; outside temperature gauge; AM/FM/CD
cassette premium audio system; tilt leather-wrapped steering
wheel
Warranty: Four years/50,000
miles
Completely redesigned for the 2002 model year, the ES 300 has become the more luxury-oriented of Lexus’ two entry-luxury automobiles. With a manual shifter and ... Read full review
for the 2002 Lexus ES 300 from a dealer near you.
©2008 by The Car Connection™ All Rights Reserved—The Car Connection is a Trademark of Car Advisory Network
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not those of R. L. Polk & Co. or its licensors.
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