There comes a time when we all need an upgrade. We upgrade our hotel rooms, we upgrade our home entertainment systems and we even upgrade our coffee at Starbucks! Why not upgrade our cars? We can get by riding around in the ordinary “point A to point B” daily drivers, but if you could afford a little luxury and pampering, look no further than Lexus.

Executive Sedan

Introduced in 1989, the ES badge actually means “Executive Sedan” and in some circles “Elegant Sedan”. Six generations of the ES have been released to date, and five of them were built on the Toyota Camry platform. The 2015 ES 350 however, was moved to the Toyota Avalon platform because it’s a lot bigger than the previous models.

The current model of the ES 350 is by far, the best looking out of all the previous designs. Lexus introduced their new grille to the ES 350 in a very subtle way, but still managed to make a statement. The front fascia actually resembles that of the sportier IS-F model. Make no mistake, the ES 350 may be refined, but it still has an aggressive stance thanks to the flared fenders, dual tail pipes and narrow windows.

Lexus Power

Don’t underestimate the ES 350’s Clark Kent demeanor. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels for plenty of power when you need it. This is all matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission that is buttery smooth. Even fuel economy on this large luxury sedan is pretty good, with a rating of 21/31 mpg (EPA city/highway fuel economy). Not bad for a heavy car.

ES 350 Engine Specs:

  • 3.5-liter V6
  • 268 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
  • 248 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
  • EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg

Luxury all the way

Step inside the ES 350 and forget about the outside world. Relax in the comfortable seats and dual-zone air conditioner. Lexus is well known for making super quiet interiors, and the ES 350 is no exception. This is actually one of the things that make this car shine!

The 2015 Lexus ES 350‘s cabin is stylish and very modern. I love the addition of the analog clock in the center of the dash. I think it’s a classy touch that breaks up the monotony of high-tech buttons and knobs!Build quality and the quality of materials used are excellent. There’s also climate control that keeps all passengers nice and cool, and the Mark Levinson audio system is simply killer! It’s an audiophiles dream to have a sound system as rich and refined as the one in the ES 350.

The ES 350 is a big car and there’s plenty of space. Large adults over 6 feet will be quite content in the comfy front seats. Rear-seat legroom is also commendable, and the equipped optional panoramic sunroof just works. The trunk offers 15.2 cubic feet of space for all your luggage and cargo needs, but the rear seats do not fold down. Lexus only offers a pass through slot on the rear seat for longer items.

It pays to be Safe

The 2015 Lexus ES 350 comes standard with front, rear and side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags, traction control, antilock brakes, and stability control. Lexus also throws in a rearview camera and Lexus Safety Connect (automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle location and an emergency assist button) because you just can’t have enough safety features, especially in the luxury car segment.

Final Thoughts

When it’s time for a vehicle upgrade, it doesn’t get any better than Lexus. With the ES 350, you get V6 power, unrivaled luxury and oodles of space in a solid and safe package from one of the world’s most trusted luxury car manufacturers.