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2008 Lexus ES 350
2008 Lexus ES 350
Entry-Level Luxury
Lexus' ES 350 is aimed squarely at value-oriented buyers looking for a taste of the good life.
The Lexus ES 350 is not a sport sedan in the mold of the BMW 5 Series or even the Lexus IS series. The ES 350 is intended for value-oriented luxury buyers who still think of a sporty four-door car as one offering ride and handling qualities that are a bit on the softer side, with adequate interior comfort and expressive but not necessarily radical styling. The redesigned model follows the “L-finesse” design theme that debuted in the GS and IS sport sedans, which is highlighted by a long, tapered hood with a short rear deck.
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The 3.5-liter V6 in the Lexus ES 350 generates 275 hp, more than 20 percent stronger than the model it replaces. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers nearly seamless performance. It adapts its shift patterns to a motorist’s driving style and includes a manual gear-selection mode.
The Lexus ES 350 delivers a cushy and quiet ride, with capable handling. Standard chassis control features include Vehicle Stability Control to help keep the car from “fishtailing” in a curve at speed; traction control to minimize wheel spin on slippery pavement; antilock brakes with brake assist to automatically engage the brakes at full force in an emergency stop; and electronic brake-force distribution to maintain proper brake-force between the front and rear wheels.
Standard safety features are plentiful and include front, front side, and side-curtain airbags. Knee-level airbags are included for the driver and front passenger, with rear side airbags optional. A Pre-Collision System tied to the optional, adaptive cruise control feature is offered that can anticipate when a crash is imminent and apply the brakes up to full force, if the driver does not react quickly enough. The laser-guided, adaptive cruise control can maintain both a set speed and a minimum desired distance from the traffic ahead.
• Lexus ES 350 Vehicle Summary
A comfortable, handsome, and well-equipped interior is trimmed in leather and wood. Many of the available features are usually found on higher-end luxury models, but most are available only in costly options groups. Packages include adaptive headlamps that pivot the beam of light to help illuminate curves at night; a keyless Smart Access system; Bluetooth hands-free cell-phone interface; and a rear backup camera to make parallel parking easier. A power sunroof is standard, but a larger Panorama Roof is offered, to create an open-air effect for front- and rear-seat riders.
The optional audiophile-quality Mark Levinson sound system includes DVD-Audio-based surround sound and can play video DVDs when parked. The base audio system includes an in-dash, six-disc CD changer with the ability to play MP3 discs, and it incorporates an auxiliary jack for connecting portable devices to the head unit.
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Lexus conceived the ES to anchor the lower end of the luxury market and complement its larger and higher-priced LS 460. The car continues to share platforms with the Toyota Camry, as it has since debuting for the 1990 model year.
You’re looking for a comfortable and smooth-riding midsize luxury sedan that seats five and is a good value.
You want something larger, sportier, or want a V8 engine.
Five occupants fit in relative comfort.
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