Lexus ES test drive since 2006 sedan

Lexus ES 350

I look and perplexed: why? Why is he still listed among illegal immigrants living as a ghostly hope of obtaining official status? There seems to be all grounds. Noble origin, impeccable reputation, universal demand, in the end. But no, still gray imports. We'll figure out.
From the extensive production program of the Lexus brand, represented by eight families, there are no two positions on the Russian market: the GX 470 SUV and the ES 350 business sedan. The first, which is the exact copy of Toyota Prado, is called widely known in narrow circles and discuss it of a special there is no point. But the second seems to be a more worthy subject for study.
From an aesthetic point of view, ES 350 carries nothing innovative. It is another creation in the corporate style of L-Finese, honed on IS and LS models. The idea is that beauty should be simple, and ease of emotional. A sample of perfection is the bar of a black carcass that underlies any hieroglyph and is applied with one wave of a brush. As they say, look for a similarity!
The similarity is evident, and not only with hieroglyphs. From a distance of several tens of meters, it is difficult to distinguish the car from the flagship LS, especially when looking at the profile or from the rear. In front of the confusion is less thanks to the known difference in the form of headlights: LS has a larger optics larger and angular. You will not find in the guise of ES neither hyperactivity IS nor eclectic GS, but laminar respectability, which Lexus stylists are so proud, is present in abundance. Incidentally, the streamlining of contours is not at all illusory at all illusory, the aerodynamic resistance coefficient is 0.28, which is close to a minimum.
Temptations and their price
In general, the very thought of buying a car, which for most others will seem to be many thousands of dollars more expensive than it really is, is quite seductive. Will it seem to be the owner who more often sees the car from the inside than from the outside? There are nuances. No, no, do not think that Es 350 shaved the honor of the brand. Everything in it is completely in the way: a familiar style, familiar interface, familiar materials. A unified combination of wood, skin and plastic both in color and tactile sensations. Even the buttons and those with a characteristic metal tint, which has already become a classic of the Lexus brand. Naturally, the impeccable quality of everything and everything. It seems that it seems that it is nothing to complain about, but it is such a prosperous background that makes the shortcomings especially embossed. However, any of them can be safely said: this is a matter of taste.
Questions caused the following points. Firstly, the central console, parodying an attacking cobra. Bio-design has long since gone out of fashion, and in the car of the 2008 model year, and even from the premium segment, to see its sweeping traces is at least strange. Right right there another anachronism slot for the cassette. The upper class audio system working with an analog bearer? The 80s turned. Well, the high lever of AKP of beauty does not add in any way. There are also distinct signs of plagiarism. We are talking about layout of the dashboard, which used two dials with additional signs along their lower edges. Associations with BMW will not have an unless a hereditary savage. But this is in any case better than Camry.
Camry recalled for a reason, because the Lexus ES 350 de facto is the Toyota Camry, which is disguised as new body panels. Body architecture, 3.5-liter V6, 6-band automato and independent McPherson in a circle are saved with minimal changes. And this is a tradition. Sedans of the ES series, the history of which has 18 years, have always been created on the basis of the medium -sized Toyota machines. And in number 18 there is no mistake. There is an opinion that the first and only product of the Lexus brand at the time of its entry on the stage in 1989 was the representative LS 400. This is not so. There were two models, and the role of the younger brother was then performed by ES 250, copying the Toyota Vista sedan. The Japanese proudly emphasize that today's ES 350 with the code designation GSV40, which debuted at a car dealership in Chicago in February 2006, was surpassed in all respects, the very first LS 400. They say, it is more powerful, faster and more comfortable.
I do not argue, much of the equipment that is available for ES 350, the original LS 400 has not dreamed. True, the most progressive equipment is attributed to separately paid options that can be ordered either separately or as part of packages. Our instance is a real mobile exhibition: there is almost everything that threw the price of a cleared car into a sky -high -high height. How can a generous customer treat yourself? For example, front chairs with heated, ventilation, memory and adjustable length of the pillow. A branched safety system with active DRSC cruise control, the function of emergency mobilization of PCS and ten airbags. The touch display, which displays the indications of navigation equipped with voice control, or a picture from the rear video camera. Smartaccess engine access and engine start -up system. Panoramic roof made of glass. AFS turning headlights. Well, the Mark Levinson audio system with an amplifier of 300 watts, 14 speakers and CD/DVD changer. Packed to the ES 350 tie in America costs exactly 40 thousand dollars. And we, Russians, as you know, are rich people, and the demand is different with us.
With comfort and dignity
Before discussing the running qualities of the machine, it is necessary to say a few words about its positioning. In the Lexus production program, the ES 350 model is now patroness with the athlete IS, which is even more expensive in the IS 350 version. This means that both of the mentioned cars occupy one step, but are intended for completely different audiences. According to Lexus marketing research, the average age of the buyer of the IS 41 year, while for ES this indicator is 61 years. In other words, the target group of the ES 350 model of retirement age. In general, the last couple of years 40% of Lexus cars in North America have been buying customers over 60 years old, and the loss of youth audience for the Japanese is now becoming a very serious problem, but this is a topic for a separate conversation.
Surprisingly, with this orientation, the ergonomics of the Lexus ES 350 senile is difficult to call. One could expect a high landing, soft chairs and light controls, but the car was in the best tone. The acceleration dynamics are excellent, the braking is effective, except that the pedals are sorted out, so as not to provoke the car to sharpness in case of careless handling of them. In the settings of the automatic box, preference is given to smoothness than rate of fire. Yes, there is a manual mode, but its frequent use is strictly conflict with the character of the car, in general phlegmatic. This Lexus loves the tracks, but does not like a serpentine at the entrance to the turn, the car rests and rolls, although it does not lose stability for a moment. In addition, the steering wheel with its 3.75 turnover between the extreme provisions forces to part with the thought of high -speed maneuvering. But for some reason, a sense of irreparable loss does not arise. Probably because you get pleasure here not from the assault on the bears, but from the flight in a straight line. Two -layer glazing guarantees fantastic silence in the cabin, the suspension smooths out a road profile. For long trips just right. However, in the city of ES 350 it remains on top. What is the only system for suppressing the engine vibrations at idle! As a result, we have a powerful and fast car for those who prefer to rush with comfort and dignity. Moreover, both at the wheel and in the spacious rear seat.
Is such a car in Russia in demand? Given the undoubted success of the LS 460, which significantly strengthened the image of the Lexus brand in the sector of representative machines, you can predict a positive reaction of corporate customers and to a more affordable model of this format. Is the company ready to sell ES 350 with us? Honestly, it is difficult for him to choose the right niche. If you follow the logic and put this model a step above IS, it will inevitably compete with the GS family. It is pointless to take it even higher, since GS already looks more attractive in many ways. Still, the Lexus ES 350 is too American in spirit. In the event of an official entry into the Russian market, it will need to adequately perceive both sellers and customers. Otherwise, he is doomed to remain a stranger forever among his own.
Leonid Klyuyev
Photo by Vitaly Usova

  
 
 
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine