Since its introduction in 1998, the Lexus RX has been the company's best-selling vehicle. But even in the era of the crossover, it's notable that Lexus continues to offer three different cars, and the ES is one of the longest-running models in the company's stable.
Situated between the sporty IS and the ultra-luxurious LS, this midsize sedan has earned a reputation for being an attractive, well-equipped, and comfortable cruiser. So I was looking forward to spending a week with the middle sibling of the Lexus sedan lineup.
The exterior of the ES was refreshed last year, and the current cars are mechanically unchanged from the outgoing models. That said, the 2023 ES boasts some new options and infotainment upgrades, and it remains a compelling choice for buyers in the competitive entry-level luxury segment.
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2023 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Exterior
My tester arrived finished in Ultrasonic Blue Mica, which in my opinion, is one of the best colors in the Lexus paintbox. This is a rich hue that loves the sun, and in the sea of gray, silver, and black vehicles which populate our roadways, it stands out like a bowling ball in a jar of marbles.
As with other Lexus, the front fascia features the company's signature Spindle grille, and looking at the execution here? It's almost hard to recall just how controversial this styling treatment was when it debuted. Because it looks killer. Speaking of the grille, F Sport models like my tester get a unique version with a mesh pattern, 19-inch wheels, and a decklid spoiler, along with an F Sport badge on the front fenders.
The ES 350 cuts a great silhouette, and I particularly liked the C-pilar, and how the pointed chrome trim complemented the sloping roofline. The hindquarters look great too, and the wrap-around LED taillamps help highlight the sculpted sheet metal of the car's hips. Like the window trim, the dual exhaust pipes are framed by chrome surrounds, and flank an understated black diffusor.
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2023 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Interior
As you'd expect from a Lexus, the interior of the ES is upscale and full of quality materials. Every touchpoint is supple, and the seats strike a nice balance between sporty and cushy. By that, I mean you won't slide around much, but they don't have the overly snug feeling of a performance bucket either. As part of the F Sport package, the cabin featured aluminum trim, which gave everything a sleek, modern vibe.
My tester was loaded with creator comforts, including a wireless charging pad, heated and ventilated front seats, a ten-speaker premium sound system, and a 7-inch digital gauge cluster. The big news for 2023 however, comes in the way of the new infotainment system. Because while previous ES models have used a touchpad-based setup, which proved somewhat tricky to use, the latest model boasts a more conventional touchscreen, and the menus are organized well. Better still, there are physical controls for elements like the climate controls, heated seats, and stereo volume, which means basic functions require little to no learning curve. I also found the voice controls (just say "Hey Lexus") worked well, and made it easy to enter directions into the navigation. If you're perpetually lost, like yours truly, you'll appreciate this helpful feature tremendously.
Even for adults, there's plenty of room in the back seats, and while they don't fold down, there's a respectable 13.9 cubic feet of storage in the trunk. So even if you're headed away for more than a long weekend, there should be plenty of room to stow all your gear.
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2023 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Performance
Base models of the ES have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder good for 203 horsepower. But my tester was packing the more robust 3.5-liter V6, which ups the ante to 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of twist. Both mills come mated to a silky smooth eight-speed automatic, and if you're looking for all-wheel drive, you'll have to stick with the smaller unit, as the 3.5-liter only pumps power to the front wheels.
From a driving dynamics standpoint, even in F Sport trim, I think the ES is more suited to munching miles and road trips than canyon runs. But it's important to note that it cruises beautifully. Even at highway speeds, the cabin is whisper quiet, and the suspension soaks up even the harshest pavement without complaint. It also feels peppy off the line, and overtaking, even on the Golden State's ferociously fast freeways, was never an issue.
At 22 city and 31 highway, gas mileage is good, though buyers looking for an even thriftier model will want to look at the ES 300h hybrid which delivers a whopping 44 city and 43 highway.
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2023 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Safety
At press time, the 2023 Lexus ES 350 hasn't been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is common for luxury vehicles.
Every ES comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which features a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, along with Intelligent High-Beam Headlamps and Road Sign Assist.
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2023 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Overall
Though the power is more than adequate, even with the more athletic F Sport upgrades, the ES350 isn't an ace corner carver. And that's OK.
Because hair-on-fire performance isn't the point here, and after spending a week behind the wheel, it's easy to find the appeal of the ES. The magic carpet ride, great tech, and ample power make it perfect for commuting or road trips, and Lexus reliability means it'll spend little time, well, on a lift. To experience the latest ES for yourself, head to your local AutoNation-affiliated Lexus dealer and take a test drive.
The MSRP for this ES 350 F Sport was $47,800. Options including the Panoramic View Monitor ($835), the Triple Beam LED Headlights ($1,215), the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and the premium paint ($595) helped bump the as-tested price to $53,775, including destination.
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John Coyle | April 20, 2023
