2008 Lexus ES 350 Consumer Reviews

Quiet and comfortable

Written by: Craig on 12/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Quietest and most comfortable car I have ever owned. Previously drove an Acura TL. Gas mileage is excellent - average 27 city, 34 highway. Would definitely buy again.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats, nav, Bluetooth, gas mileage, heated and ventilated seats, quiet ride, powerful engine, keyless start and entry, quality materials

Suggested Improvements

Improve standard radio quality (sound is inferior to ELS in Acura TL), replace ashtray with storage, improve placement of seat heater adjustment and access to center console

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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900 miles so far and no regrets

Written by: Don on 12/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I never thought I'd want a Lexus; then I drove an ES350 and it made me forget the competition. The ride is incredibly smooth but still very solid, not floaty. The car is very quiet. I like the standard radio; sound quality is fine for me. Definitely drive a few and drive for a while; I think the seats are very different without the Premium Plus package; w/o the PP package the lumbar support was just painful; PP seats with base extender feel very different; very comfortable for me. Gas mileage is impressive for a V6. Controls seem well placed. I like the power outlet in the glovebox; you plug your phone in to recharge it and use the bluetooth to make calls.

Favorite Features

Smooth, solid ride. Super quiet. Keyless entry and start. Comfortable seats. Bluetooth phone interface. Rearview camera. Big nav screen. Lots of rear leg room. HID lamps/steerable headlights. I get a kick of the steering wheel that moves out of your way automatically when car is turned off.

Suggested Improvements

Needs more interior lighting; the little spotlights are not useful. Needs someplace else to storage the massive owner's manual it takes 2/3's of the glove box. A little more headroom would be nice.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Just over 5,000 miles on it.

Written by: carl on 11/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We purchased our ES 350 new. So far we are VERY pleased. We have nearly 6,000 miles on it and our over-all fuel economy is right at 30 mpg! Highway we will get 34! Very pleased with that. The car is fun to drive and very spirited in acceleration. We opted for the upgraded wheels, pin striping and window tinting. That gives the car a really nice look. Also the all weather floor mats are good looking addition. Gives it a more sporty look.

Favorite Features

Navigation system. Climate controls. Steering. All the bells and whistles.

Suggested Improvements

Move the cruise control to the steering wheel. Seats could be a bit more generous for large bodied people. Console storage is awkward to get to.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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As compared to the Acura TL

Written by: btiger14 on 09/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We just leased an ES 350 coming out of a Acura TL. We have found the electronics, including radio and bluetooth to be inferior to the TL. Disappointing. Also some of the features like keyfob by driver (1 or 2) is not available on ES 350 as it is on TL. Very disappointing that satellite radio was not included nor did the dealers stock cars with the option. Had to have dealer add satellite radio at an exorbitant price. Acura TL has this standard. A car in this price range should have an excellent radio; excellent bluetooth; and include satellite radio. Could be the first and last Lexus.

Favorite Features

Keyless entry & start; has a nice ride. Interior lighting is well done. Backup camera and park assist is nice.

Suggested Improvements

Include sat radio standard. Put a better radio in this car. Improve the blue tooth. Take the center button off the console storage -- it is easy to accidentally hit it which opens the console inadvertently.

13 out 19 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive

Written by: AT on 09/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Very nice car. I will buy another one. The ride is extremely smooth and the gas mileage was surprisingly better than advertised for highway driving. It took me a while to get used to the push button start, I have caught myself a few times just leaving the engine running while trying to exit the vehicle, the engine is that quiet. The memory seat and steering wheel settings don't set, every time I get in the car after my wife drives I have to move the seat back before I get in. Roofline should be higher, I often have to adjust my seat to avoid touching the interior ceiling.

Favorite Features

Cooling seats, rain sensing wipers, no key required for opening the trunk, the rear camera, and the auto darkening mirrors at night.

Suggested Improvements

My wife is spoiled since our last vehicle had a heated steering wheel. She thinks that the Lexus should have a heated steering wheel too. The navigation system could be improved to operate while the vehicle is in motion.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Lots of Luxury!

Written by: Betty on 09/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I've had 6 new cars and this is the most luxurious yet. I love all of the fancy features. It is a joy to drive, gets EXCELLENT gas mileage and is very comfortable for my 40 mile roundtrip commute each day. I did a lot of research prior to purchase and the only other car that beat the LEXUS was the 2009 Jaguar XF. Unfortunately, my budget wouldn't allow that but I'm very happy with my second choice.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth, navigation, rear camera, park assist and heads-up display showing remaining range for gas.

Suggested Improvements

Better paint. I got the Obsidian Black, put on the ClearMask, and still have two HUGE rock chips in the paint on the middle of the hood after only 4000 miles.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Only 700 miles on it

Written by: carl1949 on 09/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have spent a lot of time on this site reading reviews so I thought I would place my own. We shopped and shopped many makes and models. We have had our ES 350 for about a week and are loving it. We are averaging almost 30 mpg!! We live in the country and do a lot of highway driving. Only disappointment is the audio. The brochure and website are misleading. Makes you think if you opt for the navigation you will have the Mark Levinson. Not so. Very pleased overall.

Favorite Features

Cooled seats, navigation, silky smooth and quite ride.

Suggested Improvements

Audio is the weak spot.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Quality, reliable, efficient car

Written by: 2008 Lexus ES 350 on 08/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I've had my car for about 2 months and I love the looks, quality, technology, and the efficiency of the vehicle. This is a very nice car and it has to be. You know this is a Lexus which stands for quality and leadership.

Favorite Features

I like the nav, park assist, sunshade, excellent head lights, tpm, heat/cool seats, interior, comfort and power when you need it. And for the size of the car; get good gas mpg-- 32mpg on the highway.

Suggested Improvements

Repositioned the open/close button for the console compartment. And a better premium sound stereo, adjustable head- rest you can position it @ an angle. And brighter interior lighting.

15 out 17 people found this review helpful

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Best Experience Ever

Written by: Russ H on 06/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Since buying my 1st car back in 1976, this was the most pleasurable buy. Hands down, the test drive sold me this car and since owning it, we look forward to the driving experience and fuel economy. 23 city / 31 hwy.

Favorite Features

Cooling seats, auto telescoping steering wheel, push buttom start....NO Keys! Most of all the quality of leather and wood trim.

Suggested Improvements

Rear deck is too high. Hard to judge when backing up.

24 out 24 people found this review helpful

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Built for comfort AND speed

Written by: Dave on 06/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Lexus ES 350 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This is my second Lexus; traded in my 2001 ES 300, which I also loved. But this is a totally different car; plush, powerful, yet still quiet and reliable. I'm impressed with the fit and finish of the dash and controls, and love the Bluetooth compatibility. This may just be my all-time favorite car (except for the '66 MGB that drove me to the poorhouse when I was young). Plenty of power, yet smooth as silk.

Favorite Features

Never thought I'd say this, but the dual A/C controls have solved my lifelong battle with my wife over climate control (even if it's just a psychological difference, it makes her happy).

Suggested Improvements

The rear window is a bit narrow, but so far I don't notice a significant visibility problem. Cup holders are improved over 2001, but could be a bit deeper.

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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