MM Full-Review: 2019 Lexus ES350
10-25-18, 11:42 AM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Granted, your part of Texas is rather flat, but if you want some nice roads in the state, the Hill Country, which stretches from Austin/San Antonio west about a hundred miles or so, has some nice stretches, especially on TX 337 between Leakey and Vanderpool. Also, not too far north of you, there are some nice roads in the Arbuckle Mountains of Eastern Oklahoma, which are an extension of the adjoining Ozarks/Ouachitas across the border in Arkansas.
10-25-18, 11:58 AM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by jrmckinley
Great write-up. Enjoyed reading it.
You'd probably like Alex Dykes even more, though....he is a true review-expert.
The Rumbler is a plus who like the 'vibration' over sound. Where does the Nanny part come from? That's a new term for me. I looked up the Lexus material online and didn't find a reference to a nanny. Pretty sure Fran Drescher does not count.
I wished more of the review contrasted with the previous ES 350 generation. For example, what areas did they make an improvement in (unchanged, or got worse). Perhaps test driving a 18 ES350 before the 19 ES350 on the road test could have revealed some more depth in how the new 300hp+ engine is responding.
I am not a fan of how the previous generation ES350's puffed up balloon interior space and would like to know if that feeling carried over into the new generation. Did Lexus make a worthy upgrade?
10-25-18, 12:07 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I agree. Plus I wished reviewers would start comparing how the car feels in terms of NVH and structural rigidity feel vs prior gen and its competitors, but I think it is beyond the scope of this review. Not a criticism, just saying places Motor Trend or even Alex Dykes would start doing that as a point of comparison.
I agree, BTW, that Alex Dykes is the King of Reviewers, but he keeps a car for testing a lot longer than I do (his test-vehicles are usually loaned to him from the manufacturer), and he has access to a lot more testing equipment as well. I basically just evaluate the car as a basic description of what you, as a customer, can expect for typical daily-driving.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-25-18 at 12:28 PM.
10-25-18, 02:33 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Most of the intended ES customers, though, don't mind going around a corner saying "Oink". Until recently, the ES was not intended to be a sports sedan, and the vast majority of the people driving them simply are not into sports cars. Those who want canyon-carvers can get an IS or RC.
Its not about being a canyon carver, its about being comfortable driving the car in any situation, and in my 2003 ES that was just not the case. If you do wind up on a twisty mountain road, the car felt unsettled and unsafe at times. On a highway at 80MPH the car floated and didn't feel confidence inspiring. My 2010 ES by comparison was no handling pro, but it didn't feel unsettled or unsafe on those same roads. The ride may have been slightly firmer, but the tradeoff in overall driving comfort because of its more sure footed handling was well worth that. The 2010 ES was a much more enjoyable car to drive than the 2003 ES.
I'm sure you test drove a couple of them 15 years ago, but remember I had one and I put 170,000 miles on it, I think I have some insight into its plusses and minuses. The 2019 ES rides almost as well as that 2003 ES did, if not as well, and the handling prowess makes it feel like a much more substantial car.
10-25-18, 03:10 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Its not about being a canyon carver, its about being comfortable driving the car in any situation, and in my 2003 ES that was just not the case. If you do wind up on a twisty mountain road, the car felt unsettled and unsafe at times. On a highway at 80MPH the car floated and didn't feel confidence inspiring. My 2010 ES by comparison was no handling pro, but it didn't feel unsettled or unsafe on those same roads. The ride may have been slightly firmer, but the tradeoff in overall driving comfort because of its more sure footed handling was well worth that. The 2010 ES was a much more enjoyable car to drive than the 2003 ES.
The 2019 ES rides almost as well as that 2003 ES did, if not as well, and the handling prowess makes it feel like a much more substantial car.
Since you apparently drove a new 2019 with the standard 18" 55-series tires (and I didn't), I'll take your word for that part of it. To my tastes, I wasn't impressed with the 17" 45's....but, then, again, I like a Cush-Tush ride, and usually just take it easy in the corners.
10-25-18, 03:16 PM
#21
Originally Posted by SW17LS
Not sure what you mean about "puffed up balloon interior space...
This observation came from being at a car show earlier this year. Stepping into a 2018 ES felt like there was a cavernous interior space. Just different versus than a GS or LS feel. It was as if someone puffed up an enormous balloon within a sedan frame and the car's dimensions adapted to it.MMARSHALL responds later there was more of a normal feel to it this time around for the 2019. They had to do some rear seat engineering with a small trade off of a little bit of head room, which is better in my book.
10-25-18, 03:24 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
I honestly do not understand what the 2003 ES330 has to do with this review. It’s not a comparison. Nor is it a flashback. The new ES rides plenty nice, sharp and precise yet it has just enough softness to make it livable. There is no point having 300+ hp with a soft marshmallow suspension.
Seems like the OP knew going that they would not like the ES.
Seems like the OP knew going that they would not like the ES.
10-25-18, 03:27 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Perpsnally speaking. The new ES seems to have a better interior design than the GS or new LS. Can’t believe how cramped the new LS feels compared to the outgoing one. Forget the back seats. GS has the best gauge cluster as the horns and design of the ES and LS are hard to get past.
10-25-18, 03:34 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Did you drive the version (as I did) with the 45-series 18" tires? Naturally the taller 55s are going to ride softer. But that isn't the purpose of the review. I wanted to see if Lexus could make the 45's ride comfortably. While they might be OK for some people, they are too stiff for me. And, besides, I wasn't just thinking of myself, but of the (many) people across the country who buy or lease the ES.
There is no point having 300+ hp with a soft marshmallow suspension.
Seems like the OP knew going that they would not like the ES.
10-25-18, 03:37 PM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
The rear seat legroom was indeed more than I expected....even for a person my size. Might (?) have impacted a little on the trunk space, though....and the rear seat didn't fold down (that I could see)
10-25-18, 03:43 PM
#26
Lexus Champion
I think this ES is just a massive improvement over the outgoing model. It’s not a car I’d buy for myself but I bet my wife would like it.
10-25-18, 03:46 PM
#27
What lies beneath
The 2019 ES doesn't just wear a more dynamic and self-assured new jacket, it's got more muscle lurking underneath, too. Thanks in part to increased use of high-strength steels, the ES' new platform is stiffer. And while the ES shares much of its body-in-white with the more prosaic 2019 Toyota Avalon, there are a number of key differences, including increased use of laser-screw welding and structural adhesives to further improve rigidity. Notably, the ES receives a V-brace mounted behind the rear seats that improves torsional bending resistance at the expense of being able to fold the rear setbacks for added utility.I guess Lexus had the practical boldness and awareness that for these luxe sedan cars, if you absolutely have to fold seats down -- most of these familes/owners are likely have a SUV or truck to accommodate those needs. Tesla went even further to make it utility as possible to hold bikes and surfboards (and one person camping).
10-25-18, 03:58 PM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, this article goes into some detail about it: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/review...us-es-preview/
I guess Lexus had the practical boldness and awareness that for these luxe sedan cars, if you absolutely have to fold seats down -- most of these familes/owners are likely have a SUV or truck to accommodate those needs. Tesla went even further to make it utility as possible to hold bikes and surfboards (and one person camping).
What lies beneath
The 2019 ES doesn't just wear a more dynamic and self-assured new jacket, it's got more muscle lurking underneath, too. Thanks in part to increased use of high-strength steels, the ES' new platform is stiffer. And while the ES shares much of its body-in-white with the more prosaic 2019 Toyota Avalon, there are a number of key differences, including increased use of laser-screw welding and structural adhesives to further improve rigidity. Notably, the ES receives a V-brace mounted behind the rear seats that improves torsional bending resistance at the expense of being able to fold the rear setbacks for added utility.I guess Lexus had the practical boldness and awareness that for these luxe sedan cars, if you absolutely have to fold seats down -- most of these familes/owners are likely have a SUV or truck to accommodate those needs. Tesla went even further to make it utility as possible to hold bikes and surfboards (and one person camping).
10-25-18, 04:02 PM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Dont remember. All I know, my father and I asked for the model that had noise reducing rims.
10-25-18, 05:14 PM
#30
Dysfunctional Veteran
Probably has to do with noise insulation too. I am sure that if you don't have fold-down rear seating, that you can get more sound deadening insulation back there. Also, to my knowledge, I don't think the ES has ever had a fold down rear seat? I know my 02 doesn't.