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Chassis/Body/Suspension/Tires/Brakes
The ES 350 owes its
smooth, quiet ride in large part to a rigid unibody structure that allows the four-wheel
independent suspension to be tuned to provide responsive handling agility and
ultra-smooth ride quality. The low 0.28 coefficient of drag (Cd) helps minimize
wind noise while also helping to maximize highway fuel efficiency. Standard 17 x
7-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a split five-spoke design carry 215/55 R17
all-season tires. A full-size spare wheel/tire is available.
Standard
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control system integrates the
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and
the Brake Assist (BA) safety feature. The VSC cut-off switch is useful if it
becomes necessary to extricate the car from deep snow or other difficult
conditions, such as mud or sand.
Safety/Security Features
The ES 350 received a brake override system as an additional measure of consumer
confidence mid-2010 model year beginning with vehicles produced in January 2010.
The braking system enhancement automatically reduces engine power when the brake
pedal and the accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving
conditions.
A reinforced front- and rear-structure passenger compartment
forms the foundation for passive safety in the ES 350. In addition to dual-stage
front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, the Lexus Supplemental
Restraint System includes rear seat-mounted side air bags, side-curtain airbags
that extend from the A-pillar to C-pillar and a knee airbag for both the driver
and front passenger, for a total of 10 airbags throughout the cabin.
The
optional Pre-Collision System (PCS) can help reduce collision damage. The
package includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which uses millimeter-wave radar
to measure and help maintain a pre-set distance from a vehicle traveling ahead.
The multi-information display within the combination meter will show a car icon
with the selected following distance.
If, based on a variety of inputs,
PCS determines that a collision is unavoidable, the system preemptively retracts
the front seat belts and pre-initializes BA so that increased braking will be
applied the instant the driver depresses the pedal. Active Braking can
automatically apply the brakes if the driver fails to react to system warnings.
The optional dual-swivel Lexus Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) helps
illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it. A medium-to-high speed
mode (over 19 mph) allows both the right and left front headlamp bulbs to swivel
toward the direction of the turn at the same time.
Luxury/Comfort/Convenience
Lexus' craftsmanship and attention to
detail provide true luxury by design in the ES 350. Standard leather-trimmed
seating is available in three colors. A one-touch tilt/slide power glass moonroof is
standard, as well as a dual-zone automatic climate control system, 10-way power
front seats (with standard driver memory) and a power tilt-and-telescoping
steering wheel.
The standard multi-information display, located in the
combination meter, is easy to operate. Its main feature is a trip computer that
provides outside temperature, driving range, fuel consumption and average speed
readouts. An Eco Driving indicator helps encourage economical driving. The
display also includes an oil maintenance reminder and system warnings.
The standard leather-trimmed steering wheel integrates easy-to-use controls for
the audio system, trip computer, and multi-information display, as well as voice
control for the available navigation system when so equipped. Heated exterior
mirrors help melt away morning fog or frost, while rain-sensing windshield
wipers help the driver see more clearly.
Convenience details abound
throughout the ES 350, including illuminated front cup holders and an interior
lighting system. An illuminated entry system lights the interior foot wells and
the exterior with puddle lamps. The auto-dimming rearview mirror features an
integrated digital compass.
The SmartAccess keyless entry and
push-to-start ignition system allows the driver to enter and start the car
without needing to remove the access fob from pocket or purse. In addition, when
the system recognizes one of the two key fobs, it adjusts the seats, mirrors and
steering wheel based on the driver settings associated with that particular key
fob. The standard HomeLink transmitter can control compatible garage-door
openers and home-security devices. Using the Lexus Memory System feature, the
driver can tailor numerous vehicle preferences, including lighting, power
windows and moonroof, steering wheel, and door lock control.
The standard
Lexus Premium Audio system includes an in-dash, six-disc CD changer, Automatic
Sound Levelizer, iPod/USB connectivity, Bluetooth hands free phone capability
and music streaming, and an integrated XM Radio receiver (complimentary 90-day
trial subscription included). When connected to the USB port, the iPod can be
controlled through the audio system or steering wheel controls, while
information such as names for the artist are displayed.
Luxury
Options
The customer can "layer" luxury in the ES 350 by adding the
Ultra Luxury Package, or by selecting from a number of standalone options which
include heated and ventilated front seats, HID with AFS, and Intuitive Park
Assist (IPA). The IPA system uses ultrasonic sensors to detect objects close to
the car's front and rear bumpers, alerting the driver and showing distance to
objects in the multi-information display.
The Ultra Luxury Package
includes a panorama glass roof; perforated semi-aniline leather-trimmed seating;
double-contrast stitching for the seats, console and door trim; power rear
sunshade; passenger memory; the HID/AFS lighting system; and a wood- and
leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. Exclusive Liquid Graphite-finish
17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels add a distinctive touch. Vehicles with the Ultra
Luxury Package also have an exclusive Black and Saddle interior.
The
available touch-screen Lexus Navigation System with rear back-up camera allows
the driver to enter a destination using the updated Voice Command
casual-language voice recognition. The system integrates control for the Lexus
Personalized Settings feature and adds Bluetooth phonebook download.
Voice command, a casual-language-based voice recognition feature, is standard on
navigation-equipped vehicles. This technology allows the driver to give fewer
and more flexible, conversational commands in a specific order for easier access
to audio, climate, and navigation system functions to help drivers focus more on
the road ahead.
The optional Mark Levinson Premium Audio System is
available in conjunction with the navigation system. This leading-edge design
uses 10 channels of amplification with 300 watts total output at only 0.1
percent Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). The system plays through 14 speakers in
a 7.1-channel surround sound speaker architecture. The Mark Levinson system can
play conventional CDs and DVDs, and MP3-formatted CDs. DVD movies can be viewed
on the navigation system's color seven-inch touch screen when the parking brake
is engaged.
The Lexus ES 350 also offers a telematics system, Lexus
Enform with Safety Connect, available by subscription. Complimentary one-year
trial subscriptions are included on all purchases of new Lexus vehicles equipped
with these features. Safety Connect is standard on all vehicles while Lexus
Enform with Safety Connect is on all vehicles equipped with the optional
Navigation system. The Lexus Enform and the Safety Connect response centers
operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week-every day of the year.
Lexus Enform
vehicles are factory ready for subscriptions to a variety of innovative XM
services including XM NavTraffic, XM NavWeather and XM Sports and Stocks
services. XM services require separate XM subscriptions. The XM Sports and
Stocks service is included with an XM Radio subscription. All XM services offer
complimentary 90-day trial subscriptions.
Lexus ES 350: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications