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Lexus ES Review
See also the main fact sheets for the Lexus ES.
High Points
- Improved new style
- Smooth, quiet ride
- More powerful
Low Points
- Still feels like merely an improved Camry
Performance and Handling
Gas Mileage
According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 gets 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
Safety
In safety tests carried out by the NHTSA, the ES 350 performed very well. In all front-impact tests and in front seat side-impact tests, the ES 350 got 5-star ratings. In rear seat side-impact and rollover tests, it received 4-star ratings. These scores place the ES 350 2nd behind the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in Autos.com's Safety category for Near-Luxury cars.
Reliability and Maintenance
Because the 2007 Lexus ES 350 is a brand new model built from a new platform, reliability information is not yet available. However, Lexus has maintained high standards in build quality and maintenance, so it is reasonable to expect that this model will prove to be just as reliable as past models.
Interior and Comforts
Exterior
The 2007 ES 350 featires the Lexus L-Finesse design scheme used on three concept cars and the GS and IS sedans, with everything emanating from the grille and flowing back over the car in hard lines. The grille has been subdued, the headlamp units have been made smaller and less obtrusive, and the accent line along the side has been raised to yield more musculature under the skin. Now this car looks like it belongs in a Lexus showroom.
The new ES 350 was consciously upsized, to about where the original LS 400 flagship car was when it was introduced. The wheelbase is more than two inches longer at 109.25 inches, the body is wider by 0.4 inches, the track is wider by 1.2 inches, and the body has crisper, shorter overhangs along with a new front, side and rear appearance that's much more luxurious looking than any previous ES.
About the only exterior customizing you can do other than paint and wheels is a choice of lighting, from standard projector beam to optional high-intensity discharge headlamps to optional adaptive lighting, the latter of which swings the headlamps through an arc of up to 15 degrees when turning. There are 10 colors to choose from.
Styles and Options
The 2007 Lexus ES 350 comes as one model, but buyers can opt for a huge range of equipment by selecting Premium, Premium Plus, Ultra Luxury, Pre-Collision, and Adaptive Cruise options packages. Freestanding options include park assist, a power rear sunshade, heated and ventilated front seats, a full-size spare tire, a wood and leather trim package, and DVD navigation with backup camera.
Optional equipment includes a navigation system, satellite radio (XM or Sirius), a 14-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system, Bluetooth wireless capability for cellphones, a panoramic glass roof, and radar-adaptive cruise control.
Main Competitors
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