2002 Lexus ES 300 Review

Lexus ES 300
There's a two-prong entry-lux strategy at work here: With the jaunty little rear-drive IS 300 now protecting its sporting flank, the new ES 300 could pursue a more traditional definition of luxury. And it's clearly a bigger, quieter, better-equipped, and more comfortable car than its predecessor. It's still built off the Camry platform, but those roots-themselves more refined than ever-seem less apparent than before. Both the Camry and the ES 300 were completely redone for '02, and the fundamental upgrades gave both cars better driving dynamics as well as greater comfort and isolation. The improvements are especially successful in company with the ES' luxurious appointments.

The first thing you see inside is the dark-cherry finish on the California walnut trim. It is, in fact, red. Not all of us warmed to the look, especially in combination with the multiple shades of beige inside, but it certainly has character. And seems rich. The list of amenities is predictably long: multi-way power adjustments for the seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, even height adjustment on all three rear headrests. The standard seven-speaker 86-watt sound system can be upgraded with an optional Mark Levinson system pounding out 240 watts, and our test car was so equipped. We also had the optional navigation system, which is about as effective and user-friendly as these things get right now.

This lovely interior comes wrapped in sheetmetal that can hardly be termed radical or daring. But it's clean and sweeping in profile, giving the car a long, aerodynamic look. And the face does have some edge, with its aggressive Celica-esque headlamps and the interesting contour that brings an upright grille out of a swept-back surface.

Riding on a wheelbase 2 in. longer than the previous ES', the new one feels bigger in the helm. The MacPherson struts (all around) and rack-and-pinion steering seem tuned for a big-car feel, and the tall-sidewall tires (215/60R16s on 6.5-in. rims) are a conservative choice. Still, the ES is pleasingly direct and responsive to control inputs. Powerful braking comes from ABS-managed discs, 11.6 in. in front, 10.6 in back. And the optional Adaptive Variable Suspension (on our car) offers a range of four damping programs, from Comfort to Sport, that feel reassuringly different.

If there's an area where Lexus aimed a bit low, it could be engine performance. The 3.0L V-6 is a model of smoothness and refinement, and in most traffic situations, it offers adequate thrust, especially with the assistance of its new five-speed automatic transmission. But its 210 hp falls near the bottom of this field, and Lexus will probably have to address that at some point. Realizing that "entry-luxury" no longer means $30,000, the ES 300 will probably be competitive on price. We estimate it'll start at about $32,500 and hit around $38,500 as we tested it.