The Black Line special version seems to be good.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
Now chugging along in its seventh generation, the ES sedan is a stalwart of the Lexus lineup. For 2021, there is a new ES 250 all-wheel-generate model, as perfectly as the ES 350 F Activity Black Line you see below. But never permit these aggro seems to be fool you. Despite its sporty physical appearance, the ES 350 is a cozy-cozy cruiser higher than all.
Lexus will only provide 1,500 Black Line special editions, a bundle that provides $850 to an ES 350’s base line. The exceptional Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint seems to be wonderful, contrasting properly with the black mirror caps and lip spoiler. Lexus’ corporate grille seems to be good below, with its black complete and mesh insert. I also enjoy the zig-zag cue of the LED headlights and the crisp, sharp taillights, which deliver character to the rear. All instructed, this ES 350 is very seriously handsome.
The ES 350 is powered by a obviously aspirated three.5-liter V6, and its 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque are ample for this sedan. A easy-shifting 8-pace automatic transmission is regular, placing electric power down by using front-wheel generate.
Distinct generate modes are accessed on a tiny stalk on the ideal side of the gauge cluster. Activity S mode sharpens the throttle mapping and transmission shift logic, whilst Activity S Plus usually takes things a tiny even more, tightening the steering and stiffening the adaptive dampers. Still, the ES 350 is hardly a activity sedan, exhibiting a lot of system roll whilst cornering. The transmission is far far too keen to upshift and will not downshift less than braking, which means that even with its revamped shift pattern, it really is however laggy to kick down and deliver electric power.
On the other hand, driven easily and smoothly, the ES 350 is good. This Lexus sedan filters out motor and street sounds, but if you give it the beans the V6 helps make a shockingly hearty sounds. The steering is properly weighted and confident, with a brief ratio for sharp transform-in. Over-all, nevertheless, the ES 350 is just so damn cozy. I could generate this matter for hrs and hrs on stop.
Lexus’ interior excellent is as great as at any time.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
The ES 350’s gasoline financial state is pretty ordinary for the course, the EPA score the sedan at 22 miles for each gallon in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and twenty five mpg combined. 6-cylinder examples of the Audi A6 and Genesis G80 are not as effective, but the BMW 540i and Mercedes-Benz E450 do much better.
Lexus’ Safety System two. suite of driver-support technologies is regular on all trims. This bundle features adaptive cruise regulate, lane-maintaining support, lane-departure alert and street sign recognition. My F Activity tester provides blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-targeted traffic alert. For the duration of my tests, the ahead-collision warning sounds its alarm for no cause on occasion, and the lane-tracing tech has a couple of disengagements. Even so, the adaptive cruise regulate functions as envisioned, bringing the car to a full cease and maintaining a secure length whilst pursuing at substantial speeds.
The tech that desires work is within the cabin Lexus’ Enform program continues to be a chore. An eight-inch multimedia exhibit is regular but I’ve bought the optional twelve.three-inch screen with embedded navigation. This program will not have a touchscreen like the up to date Lexus LS. Instead, you might be pressured to use that awful trackpad that I’ve complained about for a long time, which is downright disagreeable to use — primarily whilst driving. On major of that, Enform is badly arranged with a lot of menus and submenus to navigate.
Ah, the touchpad. The awful, awful touchpad.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are regular, at the very least, and there are plenty of locations to cost your cellular phone. There are two USB-A ports in each and every row of seats and a wireless charging pad is optional.
Oh, and the ES’ backup camera is tiny, distorted and blurry. Appear on, guys. It can be 2021.
This ES 350 tester is totally loaded with heated and cooled seats, and the whole interior is wonderfully appointed with substantial degrees of in good shape and complete. The center console is variety of tiny, as are the door pockets, but the trunk can hold thirteen.9 cubic feet of cargo, which is about the similar as a BMW 5 Sequence. Even so, you can’t fold the rear seats down, so never try to haul for a longer time products.
The ES is just not sporty, but it really is a stable sedan.
Steven Ewing/Roadshow
The 2021 Lexus ES 350 commences at $41,025 which include $1,025 for place, and the F Activity expenses $5,800 additional. With the Black Line pack, embedded navigation, triple-beam LED headlights, the adaptive suspension and additional, the exam car you see below arrives out to $fifty four,070. Me? I might skip a bunch of the choices and however get a tremendous good example for all over $47,000.
Despite its identify, the ES 350 F Activity is not a activity sedan. But with its good seems to be, cozy ride and a lot of regular driver-support tech, if you are not wanting for a thrill ride, it really is undoubtedly truly worth a look.