A degree in engineering or a history in computer hacking is often needed to decode the complex electronic interfaces found in some of today’s luxury vehicles. Such systems can be paralyzing to the pre-digital demographic. For them, Lexus has an appealing answer.
Elegance less flamboyant
Some luxury cars are showy and flamboyant, not so with the conservative ES350. Its soft lines are smooth, sleek and attractive from all angles. Apart from exterior colours, nothing has changed visually for 2009; perhaps that’s because nothing needed changing, especially inside this roomy sedan.
Flowing lines and simplicity define the warm surrounding one finds within the ES cabin. I’m a fan of the interior design mainly due to its “easy on the eyes” character and its uncomplicated functionality.
My tester was not equipped with a navigation system, and hooray to that. Instead, what greeted me was a straightforward array of instruments and controls that were situated where I expected them to be and that did what I expected of them.
The only improvement I can suggest is to replace some of the HVAC buttons with easier to use rotary dials. But hey, doing so may spoil the clean, symmetrical centre-stack design, so I’m good with the buttons, which are of decent size and easy to manipulate.
The unpretentious yet elegant cabin is tightly constructed of materials that have a quality look and feel to them. Seating is spacious with plenty of head and legroom front and rear. The heated front seats are comfortable and supportive.
These perches don’t offer quite as much side bolstering and thigh support as do some competitors in the field, but those rides are generally pricier. Upgraded heated & ventilated seats are optional for those serious about where their butt rests.
Of all the good that is cabin-bound in the ES, there’s one significant disappointment. Unlike most sedans in production these days, the rear seatback does not fold forward to expand cargo space. The trunk alone is of adequate size but without the extra volume, much Costco potential is lost. A small ski passthrough is all that’s supplied.
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| The ES350 is polished pleasure for those who like their miles to silently slide by unnoticed. |
Elegance less flamboyant
Some luxury cars are showy and flamboyant, not so with the conservative ES350. Its soft lines are smooth, sleek and attractive from all angles. Apart from exterior colours, nothing has changed visually for 2009; perhaps that’s because nothing needed changing, especially inside this roomy sedan.
Flowing lines and simplicity define the warm surrounding one finds within the ES cabin. I’m a fan of the interior design mainly due to its “easy on the eyes” character and its uncomplicated functionality.
My tester was not equipped with a navigation system, and hooray to that. Instead, what greeted me was a straightforward array of instruments and controls that were situated where I expected them to be and that did what I expected of them.
The only improvement I can suggest is to replace some of the HVAC buttons with easier to use rotary dials. But hey, doing so may spoil the clean, symmetrical centre-stack design, so I’m good with the buttons, which are of decent size and easy to manipulate.
The unpretentious yet elegant cabin is tightly constructed of materials that have a quality look and feel to them. Seating is spacious with plenty of head and legroom front and rear. The heated front seats are comfortable and supportive.
These perches don’t offer quite as much side bolstering and thigh support as do some competitors in the field, but those rides are generally pricier. Upgraded heated & ventilated seats are optional for those serious about where their butt rests.
Of all the good that is cabin-bound in the ES, there’s one significant disappointment. Unlike most sedans in production these days, the rear seatback does not fold forward to expand cargo space. The trunk alone is of adequate size but without the extra volume, much Costco potential is lost. A small ski passthrough is all that’s supplied.
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| The rear seatback does not fold forward to expand cargo space. |