Driving Impressions

Smooth, smooth, quiet and smooth. That's the overriding impression one takes from the ES 300, whether it's compared to a Mercedes-Benz C280, an Audi A4 or an Oldsmobile Aurora. Noise and vibration control in the ES 300 cabin matches cars that cost $10,000 more. Its 60-degree V6 engine design is inherently smoother than a 90-degree V6. Lexus takes that a step farther with electronically controlled engine mounts that change dampening rates as engine speed changes. With variable valve timing, there's a deep well of torque at all engine speeds. Off-the-line response is excellent, and the ES 300's 0-60 mph times (in the low eight-second range) rank near the top of the class. Jab the accelerator at around 45 mph, and the transmission drops to a lower gear immediately. The ES 300 accelerates with a nice shove in the small of the back, and 75 mph arrives in a whoosh. Its V6 is so smooth and torquey that enthusiast drivers will pine for a manual transmission. Of course, the enthusiast driver might prefer rear-wheel drive, because it allows a car to be turned consistently using the gas pedal. The ES 300's basic handling trait is understeer -- a nice, safe condition that intuitively tells the driver to back off if he or she goes too fast into a corner. Its steering is a bit slower than that on some sports sedans, and its all-season tires limit grip in ideal conditions. Yet given those limitations, the ES 300 is surprisingly responsive when pointed down a fast, twisting road. Tight, solid body structure is one reason. A strong unibody limits flex, and allows the ES 300's MacPherson-strut suspension to keep the tires firmly planted during aggressive cornering. This sedan doesn't lean excessively through curves, and it remains stable and predictable when it changes direction quickly and repeatedly. No, the ES 300 isn't as playful or responsive as a BMW 3 Series. But the Lexus is good, clean fun, and it accelerates as fast as or faster than a number of other European sports sedans. Anyone who claims the ES 300 isn't sporty is either driving way too hard or not hard enough. Occupants travel in quiet, unruffled comfort in the ES 300, never jarred by expansion joints in the pavement. The refinement level goes up another notch this year with the optional ($620) Adaptive Variable Suspension system (AVS). The system continuously changes each wheel's shock absorber damping rate in response to road conditions, vehicle speed, and driver inputs. It also allows the driver to select a "sport" or "comfort" ride characteristic. Upgrades like this show that Lexus is constantly tweaking the ES 300 to offer additional sophistication.

Final Word

For the price of a well-optioned ES 300, you could buy a larger car, or one with a more powerful V8 engine, or one that sticks to the pavement longer in a high-G turn. You could buy a sedan that appears to have as much equipment and similar specifications for several thousand dollars less. But you might not find one with the balance of comfort, luxury, performance, refinement and quality finish as the ES 300. It's not hard to understand why this sedan is one of the best sellers in its class. If you're shopping for a $35,000 sedan, the ES 300 is worth a look, no matter your tastes or predilections.