At the release of the 2012 Lexus ES, it received better reviews for outstanding comfort. The luxury for which Lexus is known is in no doubt delivered by the new ES.
The ES was actually designed to be a sports sedan but in it ended up, as the consumer perceived it, like a luxury upscale sedan like the Toyota Camry. Whether the new ES achieved its goal of being sporty or not does not matter anymore because it brings the more important things – performance and luxury.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Luxury Sedan | Base Price: $37,600.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons (70 liters) | MPG: 19 city / 27 hwy |
| Length: 191.1 in. (487 cm) | Wheel Base: 109.3 in. (277.6 cm) |
| Height: 56.3 in. (143 cm) | Width: 71.7 in. (182 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 3580 lbs (1635 kg) | Ground Clearance: NA |
| Luggage Capacity: 14.7 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC | Compression Ratio: 10.8: 1 |
| Horsepower: 268 HP | Max RPM: 6200 RPM |
| Torque: 248 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Transmission: 6-Speed Seq. Automatic ECT-i |
| 0-60 mph: 7.0 seconds | Maximum Speed: 137 mph (220 km/h) |
Engine
The 2012 ES sports a V6 3.6 liter engine that delivers 268 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 248 lbs/ft of torque at 4700 rpm. From the moment you start driving the new Lexus ES, it will be clear that it is a luxury cruiser.
It made us wonder why many perceive it as a sports sedan when it actually does its job well being a cruiser. In fact, the ES is not the snappiest car when it comes to corners but you will never be disappointed on how smooth it shifts with its 6-speed transmission system.
Performance
No doubt, the new Lexus ES has enough muscle. Although it is not as sporty as the BMW 3 series and other midsized cars, it performs well in highways. Accelerating from 50 mph to 75 mph for passing becomes enjoyable.
However, it is not the most fuel efficient ride that you can get. It has a fuel economy rating of 28/19 mpg highway/city which is the average among its class. If it is power that you are looking for, the Lexus ES is worthy of your consideration.
Exterior
The Lexus ES has a styling that is profound enough to let you know that it is a luxury good. In a way, we can say that the ES got its roots from the Toyota Camry. They both have an almost plain profile that seems conventional.
But it does not mean it lacks style because it is still obvious that Lexus put a good amount of thought in its design. The lines and curves are refined and by using chrome for details, the overall theme becomes more defined.
Interior
The main reason you would like to buy the Lexus ES is because of its excellently crafted cabin. In fact, car owners believe that the interior, with soft leather and intuitive electronics, for the ES will fit a more expensive car. This combination is what makes the ES the leader in its class’ arena of cabin design.
The seats feature leather that has a softer grade than what car manufacturers typically use for their entry-level luxury coaches. And although taller drivers and passengers may find shortage in headroom, there is still plenty of support, padding and leg space. Its optional climate controlled front seats are definitely one of the best we have seen.
Safety
The federal government, after putting the car into the test, gave the Lexus ES a score of three stars. The insurance institute for highway safety gives it the “good” score for the side, front and roof crash tests but gives it a “marginal” for its rear crash test.
Reliability
The Lexus ES comes with a 6-year warranty for the powertrain, a 4-year standard warranty, and a perforation/corrosion warranty for 72 months.
Pros
The Lexus ES performs well and is comfortable, making it worthy of its price as an entry-level luxury car.
Cons
The Lexus ES is not as sporty as it is perceived.
Competition
The ES goes head to head against the BMW 3 series 328i (MSRP $35,795; 23 city / 34 hwy), Infiniti G (MSRP $37,295; 19 city / 27 hwy), and of course the Mercedes Benz C300 (MSRP $39,305; 18 city / 25 hwy) when it comes to comparative performance.
Overall Rating
What others say:
“ In some ways the ES 350 is epitome of a classic luxury car—serene and soft, but not at all bouncy, with a powertrain that moves you along quickly but almost silently.”Car Connection
“ES 350 has competent front-drive behavior. But the ride-biased suspension tuning precludes the cornering poise of its sportier rivals. The steering filters out most road feel. Brake performance is good, though the pedal feels mushy in simulated panic stops.”Consumer Guide
“The Lexus ES 350 is a solid and sedate sedan that shares its platform with the Toyota Camry.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“2012 marks the final model year of the Lexus ES 350 before a planned revamp in 2013. While it is getting a little long in the tooth, the ES 350 is still a worthy competitor to luxury sedans such as the Acura TL, Audi A6, Infiniti G37 and Lincoln MKZ.”KBB
“Powerful, velvety-smooth V6; plush ride; sumptuous interior. Price increases quickly with options; unimpressive handling and braking.”Edmunds
