2008 Lexus ES [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 43 ES reviews and test drives.
Lexus ES - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Lexus ES ranks 3 out of 15 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 43 published reviews and test drives of the Lexus ES, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2008 Lexus ES 350 delivers a powerful, smooth ride, luxurious comfort and overall good looks.
The 2008 Lexus ES 350 distinguishes itself from its ready-to-run competitors by focusing on driver and passenger comfort rather than outright handling and outright performance. Though it's a car that's not likely to please motorheads, the ES 350 is the perfect choice for drivers looking for a comfortable ride wrapped in a blanket of superior styling and an air of success.
Redesigned for 2007, this year's ES carries over with relatively few changes, and it's still offered in only one trim. However, many of the amenities that push the ES into the realm of luxurious come at a premium. If you're in the market for an upscale midsize car that offers more standard luxury items, consider the BMW 3-Series, available as a coupe or sedan, as well as the Cadillac CTS.
- "The ES350 is meticulously designed and executed to avoid frustration, dampen stress, and lower the heart rate. What every Buick aspires to be." -- Car and Driver
- "With all the appointments of this latest model, the term near-luxury in no way does the car justice." -- AutoWeek
- "If you look at your car as a means of escape from the world rather than a connection to it, this is your ride. It is a cocoon of tranquility, and it will probably deliver many years of trouble-free transportation." -- New York Times
- "The new Lexus ES 350 has Toyota build quality and dependability, an interior equal to the Audi standard, and every modern gizmo Lexus can imagine." -- Motor Trend
- "The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan that celebrates smoothness, quietude and sophistication. It doesn't suffer the hard ride of a sports sedan. You can safely sip a cappuccino on the way to work. -- New Car Test Drive
- "If you're looking for a sport sedan, keep looking. ... But if it's a midsize near-luxury model you seek from a carmaker with one of the best reputations in the business for quality and customer satisfaction, the new ES should satisfy even more than its predecessor did." -- Newsday
ES Performance - 8.3 (Very Good)
The Lexus ES is described as a very quiet, comfortable, and well-engineered vehicle, but it doesn't have the sportiness that is increasingly associated with this class. As Car and Driver says, "Wake me when you get there, a pure expression of a lack of motoring passion." Continue with our full Performance Review to read both the pluses and minuses of the ES' insolated ride quality. continue
ES Exterior - 7.9 (Good)
Although the 2008 Lexus ES' L-Finesse exterior styling generally receives strong praise, some reviewers say the styling is plain. Newsday says the ES "is so plain it's nearly generic," but New Car Test Drive says the look "bring a new level of slickness," later adding, "Now this car looks like it belongs in a Lexus showroom." Check out the Lexus ES Photo Gallery to see images of the ES, or continue with our full Exterior Review to learn how this recently design scheme is carried out in the ES and other Lexus models. continue
ES Interior - 8.8 (Very Good)
The 2008 Lexus ES receives one of the top scores for its comfortable cabin. Auto reviewers say the ES' leather and plush seating pampers, while AutoWeek notes "the ES cabin is about as quiet a place as you can find on the highway today." Check out the Lexus ES Photo Gallery for images of the sedan's walnut trim or more than 14 cubic feet of cargo space, or continue with our full Interior Review for information on the optional Mark Levinson Surround Sound Audio System, a reviewer favorite. continue
ES Safety - 9.2 (Excellent)
The Lexus ES receives its highest score for safety, and does very well in government and insurance industry crash tests. Continue with our full Safety Review for information on Lexus' optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control or Pre-Collision systems. continue
ES Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2008 Lexus ES reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Lexus ES is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. Continue with our full Reliability Review to learn more about Lexus' extended warranty. continue
