2009 Lexus ES
- 2008 Lexus ES
- Used Lexus ES
Based on analysis of 48 ES reviews and test drives.
Lexus ES - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Lexus ES ranks 3 out of 18 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 48 published reviews and test drives of the Lexus ES, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2009 Lexus ES 350 is a sharp-looking entry-level luxury sedan with one of the smoothest rides in the upscale midsize class and the kind of sumptuous interior Lexus is famous for, combined with bulletproof Toyota reliability. Those two traits helped the Lexus ES win the U.S. News Best Car for the Money Award in the upscale car class.
The Lexus ES is stunningly quiet, more luxurious more luxurious than many of its peers, and a forgiving car to drive. Reviewers who focus on those attributes tend to love the car.
The automotive press, however often focuses on a car's track performance, particularly with cars in this price range. For that reason, we see criticisms of the Lexus ES like this one, from Motor Trend: "The Lexus ES 350 is seriously bland and unsporting. It offers an entirely forgettable driving experience, elicits no emotions, and serves as little more than a tool for getting from point A to point B."
Yet, most car shoppers don't care. The ES will meet the needs of most drivers beautifully. This car beats a good therapist as a way to relax, even in traffic. If that interests you, the ES may be the best choice. If you're more interested in white-knuckle driving, look elsewhere -- the Infiniti G37 perhaps. Even Lexus makes a sportier midsize car -- the IS.
There is a new entrant in the luxurious-front-wheel-drive-cars-with-no-performance-pretentions category, however. Shoppers might want to look at the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which some reviewers have now said is a better deal than the ES -- though its realiability is unknown.
The ES is also a tremendous value. It retains its value over time, offers better fuel economy than many competitors, and with the Lexus reputation for dependability, it's a predictable expense. That dependability, combined with a reasonable entry price, helped the car win our Best Midsize Car for the Money Award for 2009.
The 2009 ES is unchanged from 2008 - all Lexus has added for this year is one new paint color. It can be purchased in just one trim level, but with an extensive list of option packages available. Those looking to keep the purchase price down, however, be warned: many of the ES' most luxurious amenities come at a considerable premium.
Shoppers might want to note that the ES is included in a massive and highly-publicized recall due to a floormat design that can trap the vehicle's accelerator pedal, causing unintended acceleration. Lexus safety personnel have informed us that customers can currently purchase a 2010 ES with floormats. The car will be delivered with the driver's side floormat attached to the track of the driver's seat with zip ties. Customers are asked not to remove the ties. Lexus will contact buyers with a recall notice when a permanent fix is available.
- "I never truly understood the meaning of the term 'easy street' until I got behind the wheel of a Lexus ES 350. Everything in this sedan is easy, from the way it drives and handles to the stereo and climate controls. It's easy to fall in love with, too." -- Mother Proof
- "Lexus paints its trimmer, tauter IS model as a performance luxury car. The bigger, more comfortable ES 350 is focused on coddling, which it does extremely well. If that's what you're looking for in a premium car, ES deserves a high spot on your shopping list." - Consumer Guide
- "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 - 8.5 (Very Good)
The 2009 Lexus ES is no sports car. Car and Driver calls it "the automotive antidote to stress and road rage in one very convenient and comfortable package." Lexus offers drivers a quiet, comfortable cruise in a sumptuous interior instead of a white-knuckle, cornering machine. But make no mistake, it's V6 is not underpowered -- just smooth. Even performance-focused critics, like Motor Trend, concede that the car "can hardly be accused of being slow." Read More
ES Exterior - 8.5 (Very Good)
The 2009 Lexus ES is an attractive car, though some reviewers seem to find it unexciting. It has a lot in common with the popular, but less luxurious, Toyota Camry. Many reviewers see that as a problem in an entry-level luxury car. Read More
ES Interior - 8.9 (Very Good)
The Lexus ES may well offer the most luxurious interior in the entry-level luxury car class. It's definitely the quietest. Reviewers say it offers materials of exceptional quality and a comfortable ergonomic layout. The ES does not feature a single driver interface to controll climate and entertainment functions, like Audi's MMI or BMW's iDrive. Many reviewers cite that in the car's favor. Read More
ES Safety - 8.6 (Very Good)
The Lexus ES earns strong safety scores from the federal government, and earned top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in both frontal- and side-impact crash tests. A full suite of safety equipment, including Electronic Stability Control and driver's side knee airbags, is included. Read More
ES Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2009 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). Lexus offers a four-year/50,000-mile warranty on the ES. Read More
