superchan7

I was a fan of the previous generation of the ES, except the exterior styling was a deal killer. The '07 fixed that, and now it looks much more youthful and athletic. Especially with the rear lip spoiler! That's why I got mine, SGM, looks the best on an overcast day.

AlexusAnja

SOME? It's missing a whole strip across the passenger's side dash. There's just too much black plastic on that side and not enough break up of plastic flow. If they could have even designed "something" like a ridge or another strip of something, it would have broken up that huge top dash.

Design, yes, exterior is much better than previous, but the interior flaws I think blow it for me worse than pervious exterior did.

The GS is always the "middle" kid that just doesn't get much attention. The LS is flagship so you have to make it quiet, while the ES is the big volume mover so you can't neglect that... so the GS gets the shaft. too bad...

superchan7

I'd like to argue that although there's less wood, the interior has crisper lines as opposed to the previous model's abundant wood but anonymous shapes. To me the new interior was give and take.

LexPaul

I certainly would not have bought the previous 06 ES. The 07 redesign did it for me. It's looks like a classy, upscale car and when parked has a magnificent, stately 'stance'. IMO the interior is just right. Wood can be overdone. I like how the wood is 'targeted' to certain areas, rather than being all over the map. I like the black plain look of the dash and the flowing elegant center console and the fat wooded steering wheel, which is a pleasure to hold. Lexus hit a home run IMV. There is a 'subtle elegance about it because it is not overdone, which has always been the common run, too much wood reminds me of the 70's, when you had a whole lot a 'players' (caddy's etc) with no substance. This car rocks in every respect!!

09 ES 350 Level III (nav+ park-assist) Obsidian/black