2012 Lexus ES 350 Review
2012 Lexus ES 350 Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Powerful, velvety-smooth V6
- plush ride
- sumptuous interior.
Cons
- Price increases quickly with options
- unimpressive handling and braking.
What’s new
For 2012, the Lexus ES 350 is unchanged.
Edmunds says
As far as entry-level luxury sedans go, the 2012 Lexus ES 350 remains a top choice, but it's not the only choice.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$169/mo for ES 350 Base
ES 350 Base
vs
$170/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Judging by most of the advertisements you see for luxury cars, you'd think that most folks shopping these brands moonlight as stunt drivers, what with the power slides and flat-out attacks on curvy mountain roads. But the reality is that plenty of premium-badge buyers aren't driving enthusiasts and are just looking for a well-built car that'll provide them with the latest convenience features, a comfortable ride and isolation from the noisy and harsh outside world. For this majority, the 2012 Lexus ES 350 is a worthy choice.
Favoring luxury over outright performance, the ES 350 entry-level luxury sedan offers a coddling cabin furnished with high-grade leather upholstery, rich wood accents and enough insulation from noise and vibration to please most anyone demanding some peace and quiet. Its V6 engine is smooth and will likely strike most drivers as strong enough for a luxury-themed sedan with no sport-sedan pretenses. This is apparently a winning combination, given the sustained popularity of this Lexus. As it stands, the ES continues to have just one main drawback: It gets pricey as options are tacked on.
We'd count the Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Genesis as the ES 350's closest rivals in terms of features and levels of comfort, though they are a bit more responsive in terms of driving dynamics. You could also check out the Acura TL and Volvo S60, which are sportier still. It's worth considering all these models, but overall the 2012 Lexus ES 350 continues to be a fine choice for a luxury sedan.
Performance & mpg
The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard for this front-wheel-drive car.
At an estimated 7 seconds flat, the 0-60-mph acceleration of the Lexus is average for this segment. EPA fuel economy estimates are 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.
Safety
Standard safety equipment for the 2012 Lexus ES 350 includes stability and traction control, antilock brakes, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Optional features include a radar-based pre-collision system and the Lexus Enform and Safety Connect emergency telematics system.
In an Edmunds braking test from 60 mph, the ES 350 came to a stop in a longish 133 feet -- some 18 feet longer than a Hyundai Genesis sedan took in the same test.
In testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the ES 350 was awarded the highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side crash tests. The IIHS notes, however, that these ratings were based on results for the Toyota Camry, which shares a platform with the Lexus.
Driving
The 2012 Lexus ES 350 delivers a refined and serene driving experience. The V6 engine is smooth and sufficiently powerful, and if you're not particularly interested in sporty handling dynamics, the ES 350's isolated and soft ride will be to your liking.
But if you do find yourself on a curvy road, know that the ES's wallowy handling and numb steering will be notable drawbacks. At highway speeds, the cabin remains remarkably silent, mostly devoid of wind, road or engine noise. Bumps and ruts in the road are absorbed with barely a hint of their presence reaching the passengers.
Interior
Luxury is the name of the ES 350's game, and for the most part, Lexus has succeeded in constructing one of the most comfortable and inviting interiors in its price range. Materials are impressive all around, with supple leathers and real wood trim. The ES 350 is also stocked with features that we're more accustomed to finding in much more expensive luxury sedans.
Space is plentiful throughout the ES 350, with roomy rear seats and a trunk that can accommodate up to 14.7 cubic feet of cargo. Folding rear seats and a cargo pass-through also allow for the transport of longer items.
2012 Lexus ES 350 models
The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is a midsize luxury sedan that is offered in a single well-appointed trim level.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated exterior mirrors, a sunroof, automatic wipers, cruise control, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats, driver memory functions, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, leather upholstery, wood interior trim, an auto-dimming mirror, Bluetooth phone and music streaming capability, and an eight-speaker sound system with a six-CD changer, satellite radio, an iPod interface and an auxiliary audio jack.
The ES 350 options list is extensive, with many features grouped into packages. These options include xenon adaptive headlights, parking sensors, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control with a pre-collision system, heated and ventilated front seats, front passenger memory functions, upgraded leather upholstery, a power rear sunshade and a wood-trimmed steering wheel. The optional hard-drive-based navigation system includes a back-up camera, voice commands, real-time traffic updates and the Lexus Enform telematics system. A 14-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo can be added to the navigation system.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Lexus ES 350.
5 star(79%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(0%)
48 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
2011 Lexus ES350
howard42, 02/25/2015
2011 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
bought this car new in late 2010. Having owned the car over 4 years now, it has been a mechanically PERFECT automobile. Other than changing oil, filters and battery, NO repairs. Not even a light bulb. Updating this review: Have now owned this car for 7 1/2 years and has about 78k miles. Nothing has changed. Just standard maintenance only. No repairs, not even a light bulb. Still … has original brakes!!! Perfect car!
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great highway mileage
cuongn, 05/08/2012
2012 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Last weekend my 2012 ES 350 actually exceeded the advertised MPH (19 city, 28 hwy).
I drove from New Orleans back to Houston, setting cruise at 70mph.
After arriving at Houston I calculated the miles-per-gallon and 33 MPG is what I got out of my car !
5 out of 5 stars
2011 ES350 review
garsarno, 10/06/2011
2011 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Traded in an Ultra 2007 ES350 on new 2011 ES350.
Received $1,000 loyalty rebate, factory rebate of $750, 2.9% / 60 months finance rate plus nice dealer discount and appropriate trade in value for my car.
Drives smoother and quieter than my '07.
Noticed more bling type trim on the interior.
Miss the Mark Levinson sound system but the premium sound system is good.
Has navigation system … that is a lot more complicated than the '07.
Like everything so far on the car as it rolls past the 100 mile mark.
5 out of 5 stars
Sweet and Smooth ES
dmac27, 02/29/2012
2011 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Purchase one of the last new 2011 ES 350's before Christmas so have had it about 2 months.
I do a lot of out of town driving so have 5000 miles on the car already.
On the highway it is quiet and smooth.
Around town it is responsive if you have to move quick.
Interior fit and finish is outstanding.
No complaints whatsoever.
Previously owned a 2004 ES 330 and the new one has more back seat … room.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Lexus ES 350, so we've included reviews for other years of the ES 350 since its last redesign.
2012 ES 350 Highlights
Base MSRP | $36,725 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $169/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
3 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall2 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall2 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat4 / 5Back Seat2 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover10.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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