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

Now chugging along in its seventh generation, the ES sedan is a stalwart of the Lexus lineup. For 2021, there is certainly a new ES 250 all-wheel-generate product, as nicely as the ES 350 F Activity Black Line you see below. But do not allow individuals aggro seems idiot you. Inspite of its sporty visual appearance, the ES 350 is a comfy-cozy cruiser above all.

Lexus will only offer 1,five hundred Black Line unique editions, a package deal that provides $850 to an ES 350’s bottom line. The special Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint seems magnificent, contrasting nicely with the black mirror caps and lip spoiler. Lexus’ company grille seems nice below, with its black end and mesh insert. I also like the zig-zag cue of the LED headlights and the crisp, sharp taillights, which deliver character to the rear. All informed, this ES 350 is severely handsome.

The ES 350 is run by a naturally aspirated three.5-liter V6, and its 302 horsepower and 267 pound-ft of torque are sufficient for this sedan. A sleek-shifting eight-velocity automated transmission is typical, putting electric power down by means of entrance-wheel generate.

Different generate modes are accessed on a minor stalk on the proper aspect of the gauge cluster. Activity S mode sharpens the throttle mapping and transmission change logic, though Activity S Additionally normally takes items a minor additional, tightening the steering and stiffening the adaptive dampers. Nevertheless, the ES 350 is barely a activity sedan, exhibiting lots of entire body roll though cornering. The transmission is far also keen to upshift and doesn’t downshift less than braking, that means that even with its revamped change sample, it truly is even now laggy to kick down and provide electric power.

On the other hand, pushed effortlessly and easily, the ES 350 is fantastic. This Lexus sedan filters out engine and highway sound, but if you give it the beans the V6 helps make a remarkably hearty sound. The steering is nicely weighted and self-assured, with a speedy ratio for sharp transform-in. General, though, the ES 350 is just so damn snug. I could generate this point for several hours and several hours on close.

The ES 350’s gasoline overall economy is fairly normal for the class, the EPA rating the sedan at 22 miles for each gallon in the city, 31 mpg on the freeway and twenty five mpg combined. Six-cylinder illustrations of the Audi A6 and Genesis G80 aren’t as efficient, but the BMW 540i and Mercedes-Benz E450 do greater.

Lexus’ Basic safety Program two. suite of driver-assistance technologies is typical on all trims. This package deal contains adaptive cruise management, lane-retaining assist, lane-departure alert and highway signal recognition. My F Activity tester provides blind-place monitoring and rear cross-targeted traffic alert. In the course of my tests, the forward-collision warning sounds its alarm for no cause on occasion, and the lane-tracing tech has a handful of disengagements. Nevertheless, the adaptive cruise management functions as expected, bringing the motor vehicle to a entire halt and retaining a protected distance though following at significant speeds.

The tech that demands perform is within the cabin Lexus’ Enform program proceeds to be a chore. An 8-inch multimedia display is typical but I’ve bought the optional 12.three-inch display with embedded navigation. This program doesn’t have a touchscreen like the current Lexus LS. As an alternative, you happen to be pressured to use that awful trackpad that I’ve complained about for a long time, which is downright disagreeable to use — specially though driving. On major of that, Enform is improperly structured with lots of menus and submenus to navigate.

Apple CarPlay and Android Vehicle are typical, at minimum, and there are loads of spots to cost your cellphone. There are two USB-A ports in each and every row of seats and a wi-fi charging pad is optional.

Oh, and the ES’ backup digital camera is compact, distorted and blurry. Arrive on, men. It can be 2021.

This ES 350 tester is thoroughly loaded with heated and cooled seats, and the complete interior is wonderfully appointed with significant amounts of healthy and end. The center console is sort of compact, as are the door pockets, but the trunk can maintain thirteen.9 cubic ft of cargo, which is about the similar as a BMW 5 Sequence. Nevertheless, you can not fold the rear seats down, so do not consider to haul lengthier merchandise.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 begins at $forty one,025 such as $1,025 for desired destination, and the F Activity fees $5,800 more. With the Black Line pack, embedded navigation, triple-beam LED headlights, the adaptive suspension and more, the check motor vehicle you see below comes out to $fifty four,070. Me? I might skip a bunch of the options and even now get a tremendous nice case in point for close to $47,000.

Inspite of its identify, the ES 350 F Activity is not a activity sedan. But with its fantastic seems, snug ride and lots of typical driver-assistance tech, if you aren’t hunting for a thrill ride, it truly is certainly really worth a search.