Editor’s note: This Car Seat Check was written in August 2018 about the 2019 Lexus ES 350. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. See what’s new for 2020 or see the models compared.
The verdict: Lexus redesigned its mid-size ES 350 sedan for 2019 with a dramatic new face, modern cabin and updated powertrains. For this Car Seat Check, we tested the sport-tuned F Sport model with sport seats, and it got straight-A grades across the board thanks to ample backseat legroom and easy-access lower Latch anchors.
Does it fit three car seats? No.
Take a look at how the Latch system and each car seat scored below in our Car Seat Check of the 2019 Lexus ES 350.
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A Grade
- Latch: The two sets of lower anchors sit under removable plastic covers for easy access. The three top tether anchors sit on the rear shelf; they’re clearly marked for easy connection.
- Infant: This seat had plenty of room and installation was easy.
- Rear-facing convertible: This seat also had ample room, and installation again was easy.
- Forward-facing convertible: After removing the head restraint, this seat fit well. Connecting to the tether was no problem.
- Booster: This seat also fit well after raising the head restraint. The ES 350’s stable buckles should make it easier for kids to buckle up independently.
B Grade
- None
C Grade
- None
Grading Scale
A: Plenty of room for the car seat and the child; doesn’t impact driver or front passenger legroom. Easy to find and connect to Latch and tether anchors. No fit issues involving head restraint or seat contouring. Easy access to the third row.
B: One room, fit or connection issue. Some problems accessing the third row when available.
C: Marginal room plus one fit or connection issue. Difficult to access the third row when available.
D: Insufficient room, plus multiple fit or connection issues.
F: Does not fit or is unsafe.
About Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks
Editors Jennifer Geiger, Jennifer Newman and Matt Schmitz are certified child safety seat installation technicians.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide Classic Connect 30 infant-safety seat, a Britax Marathon convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a shorter passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.
We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks.
Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.
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