Spacious, quiet and comfortable; excellent hybrid fuel economy; up-to-date technology; perfect crash-test scores; Lexus build quality
As exciting as a nap on the couch
As if the ES wasn't quiet enough already, changes for this model year include additional sound deadening. The front and rear have some minor styling tweaks (with the spindle grille growing more assertive), as does the cabin. The panoramic sunroof has been separated from a previous options bundle to become available as an individual choice. Active safety features have been updated to include things such as lane-departure warning and radar-based intelligent cruise control. Bi-LED headlights also join the options list.
The 2016 ES 350 is a pretty good deal right off the showroom floor. Try to keep the price around $40,000, not much more than some upper mainstream family sedans, and you'll have Lexus cachet and strong resale value added into the bargain. Find a Lexus ES for sale
The 2016 Lexus ES is offered in two forms: the ES 350 with the conventional V6 and the hybrid-powered ES 300h.
The ES 350 ($38,000) comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/start, three selectable driving modes (Normal, Eco and Sport), a sunroof, heated side mirrors with puddle lamps, a rearview camera and LED low beams, running lights, fog lights and taillights. The cabin sports synthetic perforated leather upholstery (NuLuxe), piano-black trim, 10-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Tech toys include Lexus Enform Remote smartphone app compatibility, a 3.5-in color driver information display, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free iPhone voice control, a 7-in touchscreen, an 8-speaker sound system with iPod/USB connectivity, a 6-CD changer and satellite radio. Also included is a universal garage-door opener.
The ES 300h ($40,920) has 17-in alloys of a different design, a concealed exhaust outlet and hybrid-specific gauges, information displays and badging.
Stand-alone options include a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure alert, a collision-mitigation system with adaptive cruise control, heated seats (NuLuxe upholstery only), a heated wood/leather steering wheel, bamboo trim, a power trunk lid, parking sensors, a power rear sunshade and 18-in wheels.
The Navigation package includes voice recognition, a hard-drive-based navigation system, an 8-in central display and the mouselike Remote Touch controller. This package can be bundled with the Mark Levinson audio system, an 835-watt surround-sound setup with 15 speakers and DVD audio/video, but the Levinson system is also available by itself.
The Premium package brings driver's-seat memory settings, a power adjustable steering wheel and wood trim. The Luxury collection adds heated/ventilated seats, a powered rear sunshade and leather upholstery. The Ultra Luxury package throws in a heated steering wheel, automatic wipers, ambient lighting, a power trunk lid, a driver's-seat cushion extender, front passenger seat memory and a panoramic sunroof.
Trunk space in the ES 350 is 15.2 cu ft., dropping to 12.1 cu ft. in the ES 300h due to its rear-mounted battery pack.
| Sedan | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 350 4dr Sdn | $38,100 / N/A | 6 Cylinder | 268 | 21 / 31 | 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic | FWD |
The 2016 ES comes with standard stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and 10 airbags. The Safety Connect telematics service includes emergency roadside assistance, a stolen-vehicle locator and more.
The ES scored a perfect five stars across the board in government crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also gave the ES its highest Good rating in all categories.
A pre-collision system, dynamic cruise control, intelligent high beams and lane-departure alert are all part of the optional Safety System+ package.
| Basic | 4 Years/50,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 6 Years/70,000 Miles |
| Corrosion | 6 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Maintenance | 1 Years/10,000 Miles |
2016 Nissan Maxima -- The Maxima is generous with space but leans toward the sportier end of the driving-experience spectrum.
2016 Toyota Avalon -- Priced lower than the ES, the roomy, stylish Avalon offers the same powertrains and many of the same features.
2016 Hyundai Azera -- With all the bells and whistles, the Azera stacks up well against the ES 350 and costs less.
Used Lexus LS -- An LS with low miles could be bought for the price of a new ES. It will probably be a few years old, but the rear- or all-wheel-drive, V8-powered LS is swifter and smoother than its smaller sibling.
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