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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Lexus ES

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Lexus ES

Overview

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2011 Lexus ES Review

By KBB.com Editors

Though now somewhat long in the tooth, the 2011 Lexus ES 350 still effectively competes with the likes of the Audi A6, Acura TL and Infiniti G37. Because the ES 350 continues to share its basic underpinnings with the front-wheel-drive Toyota Camry, it isn't exactly the ideal back-road dance partner, but it isn't pretending to be, either. The distinct lack of sporting character is more than made up for with a cocoon-like cockpit and a velvety-smooth ride, along with one of the highest luxury pedigrees in the business.

You'll Like This Car If...

The ES 350 does well to prove that you don't necessarily have to sell the house and kids to have a sophisticated driving experience. The sedan comes complete with innovative design features, impressive build quality and well-proven Lexus dependability without breaking the bank.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Many buyers are looking for a vehicle that boasts not only smooth refinements, but also a performance-oriented driving experience. Because these traits are usually viewed in conjunction with rear- or all-wheel drive, these buyers may want to consider alternatives such as the BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CTS, Audi A6, Infiniti G37 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

What's Significant About This Car?

Enhancements for 2011 are minimal at best, as the ES 350 received a fresh facelift for 2010. Recent augmentations include new side mirrors with integrated turn signals, revisions to the front and rear ends, more center console storage, new 17-inch wheel options and a stability control cut-off switch. Notable 2010 updates were rain-sensing wipers, the Lexus navigation system with Lexus Enform Voice Command and the Premium Sound system gained a USB port, Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming music capability.

Driving the ES

Driving Impressions Across town or across country, the ES 350 is as luxurious as it is comfortable. Backed with enough power and agility to maneuver out of most unforeseen traffic challenges, the...

ES 350 is a perfect highway cruiser. Superlative descriptions for smoothness, quiet and comfort are perfectly appropriate for the ES 350. The stability control system, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution make their contributions to keeping things under control and helping to prevent an accident before it happens.

Favorite Features

SmartAccess Keyless Remote Entry/Starting
No more fishing for keys in pocket or purse as the SmartAccess system allows the driver to lock and unlock the ES 350's doors and start and stop the engine with a simple push of a button.

Optional Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
Leather-wrapped 10-way power seats help keep the ES 350's front-seat occupants warm in the winter and cool in the summer. During the frosty winter season these seats help keep driver and passenger toasty by providing three levels of warming, and there are three stages of cooling to beat the heat in summer months.

2011 Lexus ES Details

Interior

Refinements to the interior of the 2011 ES 350 include 10-way power seats up front. Although the ES 350 may not be the first thought when purchasing a family vehicle, the 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat leaves more than enough head and legroom to accommodate two average adults or three children. The ES comes standard with leather-trimmed seating, which matches nicely with the real walnut or maple accents. The control and switchgear layouts are ergonomic and easy to use, though the white-on-black electroluminescent main gauges are better seen in bright sunlight than the center stack display.

Exterior

From top to bottom the 2011 ES 350 embraces the division's L-Finesse standard. From a bird's-eye view, the ES 350 shows a tapered front end, moonroof and shark fin antenna. From the bottom up, the ES 350 has signature low-grille positioning, projector headlights and wrap-around taillights. The ES350 sits on 17-inch wheels with a split five-spoke design, and its flanks are adorned with chrome-finished body-side molding. Seamless-tip dual-exhaust outlets finish off the rear. Drivers can also choose between 215/55 all-season or performance summer tires.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The ES 350 comes standard with numerous quality features both inside and out. Some notable enhancements include SmartAccess keyless entry with push-button starting, 10-way power front seats with power lumbar support, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel and a power moonroof. The audio in the ES 350 has eight speakers, an in-dash six-disc CD-changer, MP3/iPod capability, Bluetooth, a USB port and speed-compensating volume control. For the driver focused on safety, the ES 350 is fitted with front, front-side, rear-side, side-curtain, driver and passenger knee airbags. Other vehicle dynamic assists include stability and traction control plus enhanced four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.

Optional Equipment

The 2011 Lexus ES 350 can be easily personalized by selecting option packages or adding stand-alone features. Packages include auto-dimming exterior mirrors, heated and ventilated front seats, HID headlamps and a Panorama glass roof. Stand-alone extras include navigation, Surround Sound, distance-sensing dynamic radar cruise control and a pre-collision system. The Ultra Luxury Package includes Liquid Graphite 10-spoke wheels, semi-aniline leather, adaptive lighting, the heated and ventilated front seats, the Panorama roof, a power rear sunshade, HID headlamps and other items.

Under the Hood

Under its hood, the ES 350 has an all-aluminum 3.5-liter V6 that turns out 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque while delivering an EPA fuel-economy rating of 19/27 mpg City/Highway. The ES also comes fitted with continuously variable valve timing that helps optimize its low and mid-range response. Backed by a computer-controlled six-speed automatic transmission, this free-revving engine helps the Lexus go from zero to 60 miles per hour in seven seconds and through the quarter-mile in 15.2 seconds. To sweeten the deal, the well-proven reliability of this potent powertrain is reinforced by a supplemental six-year/70,000-mile warranty.

3.5-liter V6
268 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
248 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27

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2011 Lexus ES Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.8

Out of 10

Based on 156 Ratings for the 2007 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.9/10

Quality

9.0/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.1/10

Styling

9.0/10

An excellent car overall.

By Carlton (GA) on Friday, May 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 120,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Reliable, Decently Fun, Good Looking, Well Made"

Cons: "Some controls are hard to get to, low headroom"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I've owned this car for about 2 years. My overall satisfaction is very high and I have not had any major mechanical issues. The seats are comfortable but supportive. You don't feel like you are sinking into an abyss, which allows you to have a more connected feel to the job of driving in my opinion. I am tall and headroom is a bit tight, but lowering the seat as far as it will go and leaning it back slightly was fine. I still have to clean my hair out of the headliner though. The seat cooler works but is not overpowering. At times it might not seem like it is even on, really. Lexus service is generally okay. I've put 100k of the 120k miles on my car and I can tell you maintenance by the mileage schedule for me has been terribly expensive. You really get a lot of car in a 2007, but try to look for a slightly newer model. The 2007 has a couple of frustrating "qualities" about it. For one, they redesigned the center console in later years. The one in the 2007 opens with a button on the top front of the console and it is easy to hit that accidentally. Additionally it does not open as wide as newer ones do. Driving a loaner car while mine was being serviced was eye opening in that regard. The seat heater/cooler switches are also located in a spot where I personally have to lean forward and bend my entire body while looking down and away from the road to see if they are turned on or not. After a while I got the hang of how the roller switches feel and it was okay, but this seems counterintuitive for a feature you should just be able to see. Also, the 2007 cruise control indicator is a little spartan. It doesn't indicate it is actually set, just that the system is on. That sounds small and simple but it is better on slightly newer versions of the ES. I've also had issues that have come and gone with the air conditioner blower. No idea what, but it stopped acting up on its own. I can't remember what they call the feature that makes the headlights move based on whether you are turning or going up/down hills, but that alone makes me hate driving any other car. I will definitely need that feature on whatever car I choose to buy in the future. If you have never owned a Lexus before and wonder how it compares to other brands, I would first point out that you need to be aware of what you really want. The ES is not a race car and it is also not intended to be the most posh luxury sedan either. But if you are looking at optimizing the fully loaded cost of owning a car and getting something reliable, this one is not a bad choice for several reasons. Not to diminish any other brand, but the way I look at it, the quality of a 2007 ES 350 makes any Honda look and feel like a cheap toy and the reliability makes it seem foolish to pay for a BMW. You get style, comfort and quality for a fair price with no major repairs for a long, long time. From a performance perspective, the 2007 ES 350 is okay. The engine pulls nice and strong but it is connected via a transmission that really just wants to take it easy. You can drop it into that pseudo manual mode and control it to some extent, but the fact is this is not a race car. Yeah, you can pull 100 on the freeway and not even know it, so it isn't completely inept. It is a front wheel drive car so you go into it knowing your steering control is affected by that. It's not like a Honda by any means, but it is still affected. In all, it is a smooth and comfortable ride with mild performance characteristics that will probably tone down your desire to get crazy. You won't get overly tired and might consider driving rather than flying on some of those long trips. I've been to Florida several times and trips to DC as well. One last thing. Mine is black. It would be worth it to get one of those clear 3M paint protection coatings put on the front bumper and hood area. Mine looks like it has been sand blasted so it has nice white spots all over the front of it that I need to get repaired."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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After 5 straight Nissans, I tried a Lexus.

By Barb (NJ) on Wednesday, May 01, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 47,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Great car. Fun to drive. Smooth and reliable. The only complaint I have is the sound system is not as good as Bose systems I was used to with Maxima and Infiniti."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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powerful, fits like a glove, good MPGs, reliable

By Tinker (MS) on Friday, April 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 47,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "turn by turn navigation, panaramic view"

Cons: "zero"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"absolutely wonderful car: comfort,luxury intelligence and zero problems. It is very quite and the ride is like gliding. Navigation system panaramoic view makes you feel very open. This is the nicest vehicle for anyone. You won.t have any problems and I love the rain sensing wipers. The car takes care of you and I find it can be smarter than me at times. It is push button start and won't let you lock yourself out."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Absolutely Great Car!!

By PBP (AZ) on Saturday, February 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 35,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Comfortable, smooth ride with some pickup"

Cons: "Seats a little hard and maintenance is costly"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"The Lexus drives very smoothly and has a lot of pickup. The steering is great and the ride is so smooth it is hard to keep the speed at the speed limit. Everyone loves to drive it. Only complaint is that the seats are a little hard - probably due to the heating/cooling ventilation system. The repairs are also a little expensive. I had to have the steering system fluid changed and the car only had 33,000 miles. It was not covered by the Resale Warranty Program."

6 people out of 6 found this review helpful

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Best Vehicle Ever

By JW (FL) on Saturday, October 20, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive, great performance and gas mileage"

Cons: "Non"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car rides and handles so well. Even after being on the road all day I am not worn out. The performance is outstanding, I have only replaced the tires and the battery. I have not had any transmission or engine probelms. This is my second Lexus and I will always drive a Lexus."

12 people out of 12 found this review helpful

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Excellent vehicle

By Bobo (TN) on Saturday, July 21, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 15,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Good value, quiet, comfortable."

Cons: "door panels, instrument panel materials"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Although I prefer rear wheel drive and an inline six engine, this is an excellent car. My only criticism is that the instrument panel covering and door panels are substandard for a Lexus. These substandard materials detract from the interior."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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See all 156 reviews