1997 - 2001 Lexus ES 300 Pre-Owned Review

Steering effort is on the lighter side, and some drivers will find the ES to be a little dead at center. Such will be seen

If you're browsing for a used ES 300, make sure to keep an eye out for one with the optional Adaptive Variable Suspension system (AVS), it's worth the extra cost. (Photo: Lexus)

as a bonus to some Lexus buyers of course. What was also appreciated is a trait common to Lexus, a tight turning radius. The ES managed a complete circle in 11.2 meters (36.7 feet).

Optional, but well worth paying a little extra for on the used market, is the luxury automaker's Adaptive Variable Suspension system (AVS). Depending on road conditions, vehicle speed and driver inputs it continuously changed each wheel's shock absorber damping rate. It also let the driver select

ABS-equipped four-wheel disc brakes were standard on the ES 300, providing excellent stopping power. (Photo: Lexus)

between Sport and Comfort modes, one for when the spouse is in the car and another for when they're not.

The ES 300 featured ABS-equipped four-wheel disc brakes, offering excellent performance at just over 42 meters (138 feet) from 60 mph (96.6 km/h) to a complete stop, albeit at the expense of some nose-diving. In model year 2000 a few of the car's minor improvements were the addition of Brake Assist, a system that senses a panic braking situation and automatically takes over from the driver, clamping down fully on the binders in the process. The ES braked just shy of 40 meters (131 feet) from 60 mph (96.6 km/h) due to the new feature.