2013 Lexus ES 350 review and pictures
The 2013 Lexus ES 350 does not feature the Toyota Camry platform, but it uses the platform that also underpins the upcoming Avalon, the one that attracted a lot of attention at the New York exposition. The model look a lot like a GS model, but it is more refined. Even if it had increased in size, engineers managed to reduce overall weight by 56 pounds thanks to the widespread use of high-strength, lightweight steel in the body. The carmaker managed to add 4-inches of additional rear legroom.
The big news is that there are two ES available. One of them features the naturally aspirated ES 350 and then there is the ES 300h hybrid. The back-lit instrument panel is attractive and bright, it is not over-styled and the buttons and controls are very easy to find. All together, the new 2013 Lexus ES 350 is an elegant and refined vehicle. The carmaker also offers HID headlamps, heated and cooled seats, a trio of sunshades for the rear windows, a premium Mark Levinson audio system, a heated steering wheel, a one-touch power trunk and a lot more. The ES 300h 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four is estimated to achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 40 mpg. The ES 350 features the same 3.5-liter V6 Camry capable of developing 268 horsepower and 248 lb. ft. of torque. All the output is being sent to the wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission with a manu-matic function.
The car is enabled to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. On the center console it features a drive select knob which helps choosing between Normal, Eco and Sport modes. There is also a fourth drive mode, the EV that can move the car on pure electric power at speeds up to 25 mph. The model will be released at the middle of August and then is when the carmaker will reveal the price.
