Driving Impressions

Suspension and styling are key strengths to this car, and the suspension is highly polished. Our test car had the Adaptable Variable Suspension, which is tuned very nicely, although four stiffness settings might be overkill, especially since neither 4 (firm) nor 1 (soft) were extreme. We drove in position 4 around town and it wasn't harsh (definitely stiff on a washboard gravel road, though). Conversely, the car didn't wallow during spirited cornering, even in position 1. The ride simply can be made great in all conditions. The 16-inch tires have gone from 205/65 to 215/60, making them lower and wider. The four-wheel independent strut suspension is the same design as before, (it keeps body roll down), but strengthened subframes allow more precise handling. The speed-sensitive power-assist rack-and-pinion steering has a very nice touch: light, but with good feel. We got into the ES 300 after a week in a very nice Volvo C70, also front-wheel drive, and immediately noticed the effortless steering. The brakes, too, were effortless; very nicely sensitive. The first time we applied them, at 30 mph, we went, "Whoa!" You get used to it quickly, and appreciate it. If the styling and suspension are the strong features, the engine and transmission offer less to boast about. The all-aluminum, 24-valve V6 engine produces the same 210 horsepower as the previous ES 300, although refinements have made it smoother and quicker; its 0-60 acceleration time of 8.1 seconds is decent, but may be disappointing if compared to some of the high-horsepower competition, such as the 260-horsepower Acura TL-S. The new transmission is a five-speed automatic with manual shift capability, and it's a solid advancement in technology over the old four-speed automatic. Aggressive upshifts are snappy and casual upshifts are invisible, but the downshifts aren't always smooth; and we were surprised at how frequent the transmission kicked down, given the engine's healthy 222 pound-feet of torque. The ES 300 shares its platform with the new Toyota Camry (similarly styled), and its front-wheel-drive layout puts it in the category with the Audi A4, Acura 3.2 TL, and Infiniti I35. Rear-drive sedan competition includes the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, and Cadillac Catera (soon to be replaced by the sporty CTS). The ES 300's weight distribution of 61 percent front, 39 percent rear might limit the cornering potential (that's where the Skid Control option comes in), but then Lexus offers a rear-drive alternative, the IS 300, with a five-speed gearbox for those truly into driving.

Final Word

The 2002 ES 300 is a strong contender in its class, if not the new favorite. And if the old ES 300 was a deserved success, the new one, a much better performing and better looking car for the same price, has got to be considered a winner.