Lexus ES 350 test drive since 2009 sedan
Overseas value
Even at the Moscow International Motor Show in August this year, it became clear to everyone that Toyota was preparing the expansion of American models to the Russian market. Moreover, this applies to both the models of Toyota itself and the premium unit of Lexus. Our hero today is just from the American test. This is a large front -wheel drive segment E, which has long and successfully sold in North America. Moreover, it is so successful that it is the best -selling model of the company behind the ocean!
As you know, this front -wheel drive Lexus is based on the Toyota Camry platform, as they say among computer scientists, improved and supplemented. Here is the same bottom, the same aggregate base: the suspension is expressed by four machersons in a circle. The power unit is a worker, a 3.5-liter V6, familiar from many models of the company, including, of course, Camry. A 6-speed automatic with the possibility of manual switching works with it.
It should be noted that Lexus made an interesting move by launching ES 350 in our market. Everyone knows that the company has long and fruitfully works in this segment, built on a completely different, rear -wheel drive, platform. It turns out that Lexus independently came up with a new competitor to his brainchild? The answer to this question is not as obvious as it seems at first glance. And this is the matter here.
For example, in ideology. Ideologically, these are different cars, albeit one class. GS The car is more active. This is evidenced by the external design, the rear -wheel drive platform, the decoration of the salon and the general psychological mood. It is created for people who often want to express their ambitions through a car.
ES 350 cannot be called otherwise than a supercomfortable vehicle. This car has a front -wheel drive, a different arrangement of the cabin (inside the car is perceived not as clamped as GS). And besides, the ES350 has an external message that is completely different from GS. This is not to say that he is somehow especially beautiful, which attracts his eyes. This is an obvious calm or even peacefulness. Therefore, it seems that the target audience ES is older than that of GS.
Another option for the corporate use of ES 350. It seems to me that in this role our sedan in a strict business suit will look very, very appropriate.
And at prices, the manufacturer, of course, tried to dilute these cars. More status GS is estimated at least 1,904,000 rubles, and the maximum bar reaches the mark of 2,831,000 rubles. ES prices are modestly from 1,850,000 for the Comfort set up to 2,086,500 rubles for Luxury. It should be noted that even Comfort is very well packed, for example, there is: a separate climate, armchairs with electroregies and memory, a leather salon, a radio with 8 speakers and chainger, bixenon rotary optics, Bluetooth, parking sensors, etc. The top version adds such pleasant details such as a panoramic roof with a shift hatch, a magnificent Mark & \u200b\u200bLevinson audio system with DVD (14 speakers, amplifier and hard drive), as well as a leather decoration of a perforation salon. By the way, it was such a version that we had on the test.
Outwardly, this Lexus makes a rather modest impression (for the car of its class). The design, as already mentioned, is restrained. The front and back optics resemble the younger brother IS. Yes, and the plastic of the body refers to this machine. That's right, they debuted these cars with a difference of a year, IS in 2005, and ES in 2006. The 350th stands on the 17-inch cast discs quite modest for its class, which is good from a practical point of view, but somewhat spoils the aesthetics of the sedan on them quite hot.
A heavy door opens the opening in the seemingly large and spacious (to a large extent due to light leather finish) salon. The process of landing/landing is more convenient here than in a low GS, and the doorway seems to be more.
Inside, there is really a very high quality and even luxurious finish. The chairs are covered with thin perforated skin. In front there are not only three -stage heating, but also ventilation. The profile of the seats is American. They are quite soft, and fixation of the body in corners seems insufficient. However, I am sure that the owners of this front -wheel drive sedan will not be tilted into turns for all the money, but will limit, unless, with delightful accelerations in a straight line or maneuvering in the stream, which, however, is unlikely. Well, when you decorinely roll into a 60 km/h turn, reinforced lateral support is not needed. So here, we can say, complete order.
In front is more spacious than in GS. There, I remember, I almost rested the crown against the ceiling, I even had to push the hatch curtain. The landing was really low. There is enough space above the head, and in the shoulders wider. And now sit down behind him. We saw E-class sedans and more spacious
The knees practically rested on the back of the front chair, and the head did not reach the very little one in the back of the ceiling. Of the amenities, I found a personal lighting light for each passenger, but a personal hook. A large boxing box is separated from behind, in which there are two cup holders and a niche for storing something. In the end of the central tunnel, the deflector of the ventilation system. However, the temperature cannot be adjusted from behind.
I am transplanted forward. The machine starts from the button, a bright optronic device is immediately come to life. The saucers of devices here are made of polished metal, and when the arrow runs up, it additionally illuminates the nearby area beautifully and clearly. The front panel is made of a traditional pleasant and elastic plastic with a beautiful texture. And the unpretentious oval shape of the central console at first confuses like that looks rustic. However, then you get used to it, and this is not so striking. Ergonomics without surprises, as in many other cars of the company. A unified multifunctional display with the Touch-Screen function, fonts characteristic of Lexus and buttons with verified efforts. Pleasantly rotating twins. Microlift is wherever something moves or opens. Attention to details captivates. But for the umpteenth time, the clock of the electronics in the upper part of the console and the same signs of climate control are perplexed again. Apparently, the Japanese strive to carry this fetish through the years
If technically the machine largely repeats the more affordable Camry, then the sensations behind the wheel of Lexus are different. Camry design has been finalized in many respects. For example, the body is additionally strengthened with the joints in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear suspension mounts and in the engine compartment. The car received another suspension (which was later specially adapted for Russia in order to increase energy intensity). The engine on the ES 350 is equipped with an active front support, which extinguishes vibration and vibrations of the motor. A whole range of measures was carried out on total improvement of noise and vibration isolation of the entire car. On the move, all this is perfectly felt.
The very first impression of the running qualities of this sedan subsequently does not seem to be deceptive. This is a very smooth and comfortable car. Its purpose and task of carrying passengers with dignity and very carefully. Inside, silence and peace, which are quite consistent with the rank of the premium sedan of the segment E. The suspension swallows all the horrors of our roads. Well, for some reason the microprofille tracks in sufficient detail.
ES 350 is very confidently holding high -speed line. Perestroika at high speed of the driver does not strain the steering wheel quite long and completely peaceful in the near -Zone. The feedback on the steering wheel here is perhaps the most reminiscent of Camry genes, even though the creators of the car conjured with its settings.
A large comfortable sedan, however, is able to wipe the nose on a straight line for many. A great 277-horsepower engine and a peppy machine will help him in this. Acceleration up to 100 km/h here takes only 7 seconds, which can be considered a worthy indicator. True, do not forget that a powerful front -wheel drive on a large car loves a dry road with a good clutch coefficient. Otherwise, if you do not stand on ceremony with the accelerator pedal, then even on a wet coating (not to mention snow and ice), the notorious Torque Steering is very well felt when you are not a steering wheel, but a parasitic moment on the leading wheels. In this case, you need to be stronger to hold the steering wheel and be prepared to quickly chickered by the trax-control sometimes allows a rather deep slip. And in general, this sedan is not created at all in order to bring down on it. He is all, appearance and ideology, speaks of his focus on measured and very comfortable riding. And he has everything for this. If you do not need more from Lexus, then it is possible that you are the same buyer who, saving on the purchase of a packaged GS, nevertheless, will take a place among the owners of the business class from Lexus.
Technical characteristics Lexus ES350
The type of engine is gasoline, V6
Working volume (cm3) 3 456
Power (L.S. at rpm) 277/6 200
Torque (Nm at rpm) 346/4 700
Front drive
Automatic gearbox 6-speed
Front -type suspension mcpherson
Hind type Mcphereson
Front ventilated discs brakes
Rear ventilated discs brakes
Length (mm) 4 875
Width (mm) 1 820
Height (mm) 1 450
Wheel base (mm) 1 760
Clearance (mm) 145
Equipped mass (kg) 1 533
Fuel consumption 14.7 - city, 7.7 - highway
Maximum speed (km/hour) 230
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec) 7
Source: Drom.ru
