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Car Review: 2011 Lexus ES 350 LOCAL PRICING & INCENTIVES 2017
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MSRP $43,300
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POPULAR NOW 2011 Lexus ES 350. 2011 Lexus ES 350. Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News
2011 Lexus ES 350. Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News
Riding into the sunset with grace
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by DEREK MCNAUGHTON, POSTMEDIA NEWS | NOVEMBER 10, 2011
What is the enduring appeal of the Lexus ES 350? Everywhere I ventured with this car, which many pundits consider “dated,” I got the proverbial thumbs up. Mrs. M loved it, as did friends. Neighbours commented
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on its black obsidian beauty. Parking attendants did double takes. A U.S. border guard was way too nice. What the heck? To be sure, the 2011 ES 350 is ripe for a refresh, and a 2013 model is expected to deliver new sheetmetal and an upgraded interior, following on the heels of the 2013 GS and 2012 Toyota Camry. The update will be the first significant redesign since the fifth-generation ES debuted in 2006 as a 2007 model, followed by an update for 2010. But with plenty of stock on Toyota dealer lots, a 2011 or 2012 ES 350 certainly won’t leave you longing. With a good supply of cars, negotiating on one could even mean striking a bargain for a luxury car — one that seems to quietly do its duty without much fuss or frustration. At $42,150 to start, there’s plenty about the 2011 ES to like right out the gate, including a decent leather interior, good eight-speaker sound system, heated power seats, Bluetooth and overall agreeable layout with large rear seat. A sunroof, wood-grain trim (why always wood?) push-button start and auto-
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climate are also included in the base price.
Lexus
Sure the centre consol seems a generation behind the rich graphics and coloured displays of the coming GS, but the trade off is remarkable simplicity
ES 350
— you want more heat, you touch one button. You want to change the satellite radio station, you touch one button, not two or even three like some
Sedan
other more modern systems. So it’s easy to drive and stay focused.
Reviews
On the road, the ES is fairly simple, too. The front seats are comfortable, a six-
Road Test
speed automatic keeps the 268-horsepower, 3.5-litre V6 engine at mostly the right r.p.m., and the engine delivers adequate enough power using only regular-grade gasoline. As expected from a Lexus, there’s not much road noise, and the ride is compliant if not exactly ready to please Jacques Villeneuve. Interior space never feels tight, the same for front seat or rear passengers. The trunk will accept 14.7 cubic feet of stuff. Fuel economy was better than I expected for a large car. I averaged 8.2 L/100km over my week of mostly highway driving (but was mostly at 120 km/h). Natural Resources Canada rates it at 10.9 L/100 km city, 7.2 highway. A $500 Touring package was included on our press car, which added adaptive headlamps, 17-inch premium alloy wheels and a small lip spoiler on the trunk edge. The headlamps alone are worth the $500, but the wheels look good on the car. A navigation package is available, of course, as is an executive edition and premium package with navigation, but the extra packages, which can push the price of the car well past $50,000, seem to defeat the purpose of this car, which is to offer a Lexus level of luxury at a price that won’t disappoint David Chilton, author of the Wealthy Barber. Besides, even the base model will endure with Lexus’ history of reliability; and even when service visits are required, there’s that Lexus gold star treatment to look forward to. Built in Japan, the ES shines when it goes about doing all the things a fullsize sedan ought to do well — hauling family about, heading off to the cottage, scooting about town or long, long drives. No, it’s not the swiftest or sportiest of sedans out there, nor is it the most current; but it remains eminently capable and satisfying over just about any kind of road, and for a not unreasonable price. That’s not exactly over-the-top praise, but that’s probably just what the majority of people attracted to this car want — something that easily compliments their life rather than complicates it. The Specs Vehicle type: Four-door five-passenger full-size sedan Engine: 3.5L V6 Power: 268 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 248 lb.-ft. @ 4,700 rpm Transmission: Six-speed automatic Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS and brake override Tires: P215/55R17 Price: base/as tested: $42,150 /$42,650 Destination charge: $1,895 Transport Canada fuel economy L/100km: 10.9 city, 7.2 highway. Standard features: Leather seats, eight-speaker premium audio system, CD, MP3 capability, Bluetooth, Satellite radio, auxiliary input jack, dual zone automatic climate control with auto air recirculation system, ten-way power adjustable and heated driver and front passenger seats, driver seat memory, woodgrain trim, rear seat reading lamps, LED illumination system, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass, plus dual illuminated vanity mirrors, power door locks with the Lexus Smart Key system with push-button start, power windows with auto up/down on all windows, tinted glass, aluminum alloy wheels, integrated signal lamps and puddle lamps, and auto tilting reverse function, front and rear splash guards, sunroof, projector-style halogen, fog lamps. Options: HID adaptive front lighting system, premium alloy wheels, lip spoiler.
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