Words by: Adam Allen
Dear Lexus ES 350,
Kindly allow us to offer our enthused greetings and salutations- it’s been way to long since we last saw each other. In fact, and please don’t take this the wrong way, we kind of forgot about you even though there are many of your brothers and sisters plying our local highways and byways.
We can remember back when you made your debut in 1991. We’d never seen anything like you before. Sure, you based on the humble Toyota Camry, but that Lexus badge meant that you were so much more. You were so much more refined and so much better equipped that your humble underpinnings would have suggested. You were easily in the conversation as one of the cornerstones of the Lexus brand itself.
While you may have faded into relative obscurity over the years, shoppers have not forgotten about you. Those seeking a midsize luxury sedan find you to be a very attractive option, and your price tag represents an incredible value amongst your peers, even if you are lacking in the horsepower department.
OK, that’s not entirely fair- look no further than the example of your genealogy we tested recently which was equipped with a rather excellent 3.5 litre naturally aspirated V6 engine. At 302 horsepower, it was never going to win any drag races against the segment speedsters. But darn tooting if your V6 isn’t a sweetheart, exceptionally smooth and torquey from just above idle to redline where it sings an inspiring soundtrack. We wonder how long this engine will be available under your hood and the excellent 8-speed automatic that represents a perfect foil to the creamy power churned out to the front wheels- and we have to thank you for not embracing the droning CVT gearboxes that can be found on your hybrid powered cousins.
We have to admit you have us slightly confused about your mission in life when talking about the F Sport treatment. As far as we can tell, F Sport is the Lexus answer to BMW’s M cars and the likes of Mercedes Benz AMG performance learning models. Problem is, we didn’t find you to be particularly sporty, even in your most agressive Sport Plus driving mode. We couldn’t detect any meaningful differences this package hints at and we wonder if maybe it’s time for those in charge of your product line to step up the sport quotient.
And while we might be asking for more pep in your step, it’s abundantly clear that you don’t need any help in the luxury department. We were constantly marveling at how quiet your interior is at highway speed, and how well built it is. Those red leather hides covering the seats and door panels look resplendent and we were grateful that you boasted pretty much every desirable feature we could think of. We especially appreciated your banging Mark Levinson audio system, but most of all we adored your new infotainment system. Not only is it among the best in the biz, but it’s a far cry from the abhorrent touchpad system you and other Lexus models used to employ.
While we’re dishing out kudos in your direction, we can’t forget to highlight your exquisite ride quality. No matter the surface, you provided genteel comfort and delectable isolation. Now we know why you are so popular among airport livery drivers- your soothing presence must surely be welcome after a long flight and navigating the soul-destroying environment that we know airports to be.
It came as a pleasant surprise to us, and we’re talking about the efficiency you’re capable of. Your V6’s fuel economy isn’t going to keep your hybrid powered stablemates up at night, but we saw some very stingy consumption figures on certain trips that were most appreciated.
At the beginning of this correspondence, we sheepishly acknowledged that we sort of labeled you an automotive wallflower. After spending a week in your company, we realized that we grossly misjudged. We hope that this isn’t a classic scenario of too little, too late- your corporate parents are mum on whether or note there will be a new generation of ES for us to enjoy. We got wind that the Chinese market is poised to receive just such a gift, and we’ve seen what it’ll look like- your ancestors would be proud. Speaking of which, the last 34 years have been great- we look forward to the next 34.
Keep up your excellent work.
Warm breezes,
The Carpages Garage Collective
2025 Lexus ES 350 – Specifications
- Price as tested: $66,882.08
- Powertrain Layout: Front engine/front-wheel drive
- Engine: 3.5-Liter V6, DOHC, 24-valves
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
- Horsepower: 302 @ 6,600 rpm
- Torque (lb-ft.) 267 @ 4,700 rpm
- Curb weight: 1,674 kg (3,690 lbs)
- Observed Fuel Economy: 11.7L/100km (20 mpg)