2019 Lexus ES 350 First Test: Luxury Sedan Revisited – MotorTrend

Lexus is slowly infusing more emotion into its lineup, first with the introduction of the RC and LC coupes and then the youth-oriented UX crossover. Now it’s attempting to bring some of that piquancy to the ES, which has long been haunted by its “staid sedan” image. Entering a new generation, the 2019 Lexus ES benefits from more powerful engines and a new F Sport variant. After driving the hybrid ES several months ago, we tested two V-6 models, one with the F Sport badge, to find out whether Lexus has successfully reinvigorated its midsize sedan.

The transformation starts with some skillful plastic surgery to the front face. You definitely won’t mistake it for anything other than a Lexus, but the standard grille has changed with more fluid vertical lines that replace the previous model’s boring straight horizontal bars. F Sport variants receive an interesting mesh pattern, and in the rear, a trunk lid spoiler. Look for slimmer headlights and taillights on all models, as well as sharper window trim. Sitting on a new platform, the sedan is longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor. It’s the same length and wheelbase as the Toyota Avalon, and you can feel its large size in tight turns.






We tested two front-wheel-drive versions: the highly contented ES 350 with the Ultra Luxury package and the ES 350 F Sport. Both come with a 3.5-liter V-6 making a healthy 302 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Our F Sport model distinguishes itself with 19-inch wheels instead of 18-inchers. It also has an adaptive variable suspension—available as an exclusive option on this trim—with extra drive modes including Sport, Sport+, and Custom.

The F Sport may have a few extra performance goodies, but at least when you look at the numbers, it performs quite like the standard V-6 model. No matter which option you choose, acceleration will be on target with other comfort-oriented luxury sedans with V-6 engines. In the 0-60 run, the Ultra Luxury hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, and it took the F Sport model 5.9 seconds. The 2018 Acura TLX SH-AWD split the difference with a time of 6.0 seconds in A-Spec guise. Another rival, the 2017 Kia Cadenza SXL, took 6.5 seconds. Even slower, a 2019 Lexus ES 300h tester sauntered to 60 in 7.8 seconds. The difference is excusable, however, as it has a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain making just 215 hp.

The sedans did fine in the figure eight. Each clocking a time of 26.2 seconds at 0.67 g, the two Lexuses rounded the bends more quickly than the Acura (25.8 seconds at 0.71 g) and the Kia (27.6 seconds at 0.63 g). The hybrid Lexus was slower: 28.4 seconds at 0.60 g.



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