For years, the Lexus ES excelled at being comfortable and luxurious, pampering rather than sporty. But Lexus modified that formula by trying to create a more engaging driving experience. And the overall result is a less satisfying upscale sedan.
The ES still provides a comfy, quiet interior, gets good fuel economy, and is very reliable. But the car's cosseting, easygoing nature has been dialed back, with a less plush ride, cuts in interior refinement, and more complicated controls. And despite Lexus' claims of injecting more sportiness into the ES, it's not agile or fun to drive.
We tested two versions: the ES 350, with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, and the hybrid ES 300h. Both drivetrains perform well. Slick and powerful, the V6 returns a good 25 mpg overall. The hybrid delivers ample zip, while squeezing out an excellent 36 mpg overall and 44 on the highway.
Although the ES rides well it's not luxury-car plush, feeling instead like a generic family sedan. Climb inside and you'll find adequate room, but it's not particularly spacious for the class. At first glance, the cabin furnishings look really good. But a closer inspection reveals some cheaper materials than in the past and a general impression of cost-cutting. Lexus has also done away with simple touch-screen controls, instead using more complicated systems that can make it more difficult to perform common functions.
Going with the hybrid adds about $2,900 over the V6. Equipment differences on our tested cars meant they were similarly priced -- $43,702 for our well-equipped ES 350, $44,017 for a comparatively basic 300h. If you are sold on having a car with a Lexus badge or want to take advantage of the highly touted Lexus dealership experience, then the ES likely won't disappoint.
But there are plenty of alternatives that provide a more luxurious experience. The Hyundai Genesis is far more luxurious inside, and comes closer to the ES's goal of being enjoyable to drive. Large domestic sedans like the Chevrolet Impala and Chrysler 300 might lack the panache and reputation of the Lexus nameplate, but each rides better and quieter than the ES, yet costs several thousand dollars less.
The ES also suffers from cross-shopping with other Toyota-family products. You can get much of the same package for notably less money in the Toyota Camry, which is based on the same platform. Another alternative is the Toyota Avalon, which has more space and the same powertrains as the ES. Both the Camry and Avalon are very reliable, just like the ES, but they don't provide the same dealership experience.