Test drive Lexus ES 2002 - 2006 sedan
The only one
Until recently, the Lexus lineup was a dense forest for me, I could not remember the letter designations. And about the Lexus ES300 I knew this sedan based on Toyota Camry. The only front -wheel drive model among Lexus cars. The relationship with Camry turned out to be barely perceptible. Let's just say this is generally another machine, at least outwardly. Not a single common body, window opening and that other outline. Something in common can be found in the silhouette, tilt of racks, proportions, high window sills and food slightly hint at Camry if you put it nearby. ES300 with design resembles Infiniti Q45. Huge slanting headlights, falling hood, sweeping patterns of substetricry, puffy surfaces. Very American. As a result, the machine seems larger than it is actually, the class above. The 16-inch wheels are small for such a heavy visually body, at least 18 inches are asked. The back is more interesting than the front narrow lights with chrome rims, an acute edge of the trunk. The radiator grill is perhaps rustic. A short license plate on the trunk lid says that the car is officially supplied to Europe ... The previous generation Lexus ES300 has been produced since 1991. The current model appeared in Japan at the end of 2001, the American premiere took place in early 2002. By the way, by the way, In its historical homeland, the car is also sold as Toyota Windom. In size, ES is very close to GS, which is only 50 mm shorter and addressed to more sporty drivers. I meet a car. A large door with a chrome pen. Salon is unambiguous Europe, not a hint of America (unless a scabbard instead of a handbrake). Black skin and dark brown tree. Dear deaf materials, perfect fitting panels. Stylish, solid and very high quality. The chair, of course, is completely electric, control buttons at the base on the left. The set of adjustments is standard, their range will be enough even for a truly large person.
The steering wheel with wooden inserts and leather working zones lies well in his hands. The adjustment is mechanical, and only in height (on Camry also), but it is unlikely that this will cause inconvenience. All governing bodies on the spot. The steering wheel switches are made in a Japanese manner. The combination of devices is divided into three zones, nothing special, but beautifully white backlight, wooden framing. A machine gun selector on the tunnel. As on Camry, a 5-speed box has neither sports nor manual modes, but the provisions are more except 2 and L, there are 4 more and 3, in addition, the lever moves not in a straight line, but a snake. To the left of the lever there is a wheel of the suspension rigidity and the rear window curtain drive button. The climatic system is separate for the driver and front passenger, button control, the indication is displayed on a small but informative display. The sound was entrusted to professionals: the Mark Levinson system with a combined head of the cassette and a 6-disk chainer. The cup holders, oddly enough, in front, only two are advanced from a large armrest that has two levels. Luke’s control is traditionally on the ceiling near the mirror, which is equipped with a digital compass indicator indicating the direction of movement of letters. All three mirrors are selfless, and the external ones are also heated. The back is spacious, the place is enough both in height and for the legs, the third will fit, but you can’t call it the welcome guest. It is better to throw back the armrest (there are also two cup holders) and conveniently sit together. The lighting is autonomous, but the ventilation is controlled only from the first row, and the curtain lifting button on the rear window is not duplicated here. The trunk, as expected, is large, with a hatch in the passenger compartment. The lid unlocks from the cabin. Everything is a full -size reserve, a set of tools ... 
ES is noticeably different from Camry in technical terms. This is the only Lexus Passenger with front -wheel drive and the transverse location of the power unit. The V-shaped 6-cylinder engine has the same campaign volume of 2995 cm cubic meter, but uses the latest VVT-I technology (variable phases of gas distribution), which increased power from 186 to 213 hp. Acceleration is quite dynamic in order to stay in the forefront, but still three liters will not be enough for one and a half tons of weight for no reason GS, except for a 3-liter engine, is also equipped with a 4.3-liter engine. Unfortunately, such equipment does not apply to ES. The box is somewhat thoughtful, not enough manual mode, but it differs in smooth switching. In Kick-Down mode, everything happens faster and sharper, the engine is spinning to the maximum revolutions, the machine is adaptive. The weather is ugly, under the wheels porridge, and rubber summer is one hope for electronics. ABS, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control system of dynamic stabilization), Trac (Traction Control) work shoulder to shoulder, but only the VSC system is disconnected, and so as not to abuse, the button is hidden deeply under the steering column. All three systems are activated with some delay, relying on the skill of the driver. And it will be needed here, especially if you transfer the suspension from a comfortable (Comfort) mode to a sports (Sport) mentioned wheel on the console moves discretely, with several intermediate positions, so you can experiment. 
The steering wheel is not very loose (from the end of the stop 3.1 turns), in sports mode, it becomes more acute due to the decrease in the rolls and departure departures, remaining the same light. The reactive action does not reach the reactive effect, but this can be attributed to weather conditions. In behavior in ES turns, a typical large front -wheel drive with insufficient rotation. A heavy car perfectly holds straight, regardless of the selected suspension mode. The smoothness of the ride corresponds to the class of the machine neither vibrations nor shocks, they all go out away from passengers in the bowels of the suspension. However, this applies to Comfort. Another thing is Sport: all joints, pits, cracks are read. But that is the charm that there is a choice. Noise insulation reliably protects the salon space from the surrounding noisy world, a climate system and heating of the seats create a home comfort plus an exquisite sound of music. I really did not want to leave this paradise on wheels. The new ES300 turned out to be the way to be a Lexus car. Japanese Mercedes. Chic, comfortable, high -quality and, of course, expensive in Moscow ES300 in the described configuration costs $ 57,000.
Sergey Yakubov
Source: Motor magazine [December 2002]
