Test Drive Lexus ES 350 since 2009 Sedan

Lexus ES350. Totalitarian Comfort

Lexus ES350. Price: from 1,850,000 rubles. On sale: since 2010

In the early 90s, the World Success Status of the LEXUS brand began with hit sales of the ES model in the US market. 20 years later, the fifth generation of Executive Sedan finally approached the Russian shores

Test pilot
Mikhail Medvedev, 34 years old, car journalist, driving experience 14 years old, personal car - Mazda3

Everyone, probably, at least once tried to start living in a new way. Who, what is called, has not promised from Monday, first of all to himself, sign up to the library, start walking in a fitness club or quit smoking? Another thing is that the thrust for such exploits is long. You look, after a week, the simulator is inferior to a bottle of beer, thoughtful reading to suites with friends, in whose companies, how do not delay the cigarette! The same, who was bangled, suffered, did not throw the launched halfway and really coolly changed the life, a few units ... to the number of such unicorms can be attributed to Lexus ES350. Starting the life of the model less than the prestigious brand, the Japanese for a long time and stubbornly worked on himself, deserving the right to be considered a real premium.

In general, speaking, in Lexus it is not terribly like when about ES350 and Toyota Camry are talking about relatives. But from the song from the song I will not throw out, and most importantly, the crime in single-platform of these cars is absent. Lexus and its overseas career built on the sale of ledge and pro-pharmaceutical models of Toyota. Yes, and the competitors of such examples in abundance take the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf, Honda Accord and Acura TL, Nissan Skyline and Infiniti G. In short, nothing is a gap in that yesterday's Toyota suddenly turned into Lexus, no and can not. The main thing is that the process of this particular automotive rebranding has not turned into a banal flails of nameplates and branded emblems.

But Lexus ES350 and looks different than Toyota. In the profile, of course, a familiar Abris is guessed by the Peopolitimate Camry, but in front of three hundred and fifties much more than solid. The radiator grille, planted noticeably below the level of the head optics, the corporate element of the Lexus design concept L-Finesse. But even better Executive sedan looks at three quarters from behind. Spectacular blockphs attach to the stern obvious similarity with the representative sedan LS460. While you are going behind and do not see the nameplates, it is not worth a mistake. So, the externally ES350 produces a much more solid impression than the freight Camry.

The law is not harmful for the Eskulapov! Individly fishes in the cabin. An impressive sofa sofa and a huge trunk did not touch. And although, overlooking the interior with a quick glance, you realize that the architecture in related sedans are general, but the execution in Lexus is significantly higher. Where in Camry you saw such a pleasant porous plastic, which Detailed Torpedo ES350! Luxurious already talking about flawless readability and the newest version of the Optitron dashboard. The list can be continued for a long time: Improved leather finish, panoramic hatch in the roof, 10 airbags, including two knees for the driver and front passenger, front seat ventilation, super-duper-audio-audio Mark Levinson with 14 speakers and 10-channel power amplifier providing the surround sound of format 7.1 Agree to pieces and buns the Camry buyer can only lick.

The most amazing thing is that Lexus ES350 driving haggards leave more favorable impression. What is in this strange? So because the power unit and the concept of the suspension did not change. I must say a 3.5-liter V6 with a capacity of 277 liters. With., a steady with a 6-speed automaton, it is difficult to accuse at least in some kind of sakes. Power reserve is enough in most road situations. And even though it is down, when the accelerator is drowning into the floor, the car goes after a tangible pause, there are no problems with overtakers. In this case, the smoothness of the transmissions is phenomenal, and for such a powerful duet and fuel consumption does not seem to be proceeded.

Having pleased the comfort of the suspension even on 17-inch disks with a 55% tires, and noise insulation of the engine compartment and something from the fiction area. You can drive a whole day, but it's not to hear a single sound from under the hood. Only when the tachometer will get up to 5000 min-1, coming from somewhere in front, no, not a roar, of course, and not a roar, but rather a rejected purring of a 3.5-liter V6. For reference: when overclocking the noise level at the driver's seat in Lexus ES350 by 7% or 5 dB less than in Camry.

Of course, the one who is looking for in the business sedan sportiness, aggression and drive, hardly appreciate the typical front-wheel drive chairs of ES350, rather turning the suspension and, alas, not a disabled stabilization system. But so much comfort for less money is simply impossible. After all, the closest in price of Volvo S80 competitors with the similar level of equipment is more expensive than the new Lexus by 20%.

Cool and even cooler
In our market, Lexus ES350 is offered in two configurations: luxurious comfort and depraved luxury lackers. Even the base for 1 850,000 rubles. Equipped with a complete set of security systems, front heating chairs and ventilation, leather interior, electric drives in total, which is possible, adaptive bixenon, 17-inch alloy wheels, a double-zone climate, a music center with a CD changer, an electrolyuk. It is possible for 2,086,500 rubles. Even up to the execution of the lackers, which is fundamentally richer on improved seats, panoramic roof, Mark Levinson audio system, steering wheel and lever, trimmed with wooden inserts, and finally, the rear view camera with built-in navigation.

Love not love
In the rear sofa, it will be convenient to even basketball players, provided that the guys will only two. Spacious
Natural veneer and high-quality skin Inalienable cabin trim attributes. Richly
For many usefulness, you do not need to pay extra, for example, for the electric drive of the seats with the memory of the provisions. Pleasantly


Driving
Power reserve allows you to easily complete risky overtaking, but the ES350 turns inferior to rear-wheel drive classnists.

Salon
Ergonomics at height, but the wooden finish is not too impressive.

Comfort
First-class smooth stroke and excellent noise insulation.

Safety
10 airbags, including knee for the driver and front passenger, about something yes they say!

Price
Not the lowest, but all direct competitors are more expensive.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Universality: Excellent running quality on the highway, good passability on dry ground.
- The quality of plastic in the cabin worsens the overall impression and does not correspond to the price of the car.

Our opinion
The only Lexus in our market with front-wheel drive is the embodiment of totalitarian comfort. The stunning smoothness of the stroke and noise isolation of the ES350, multiplied by the ease of control and the maximum possible level of security, give the car to exit, which makes life more convenient and easier. In all senses, a wonderful introductory ticket to the prestigious business class.


Author: Mikhail Medvedev


 

A source: Journal 5 Wheel [January 2011]