2008 Lexus ES 350

2008 Lexus ES 350's appearance appeals to many, but some reviewers found its lines a little stodgy. Though it shares running gear with the Toyota Camry, Edmunds points out that “the ES doesn't share a single dash panel or material with its less expensive Toyota sibling.”

The shape is vastly improved over the previous entry-level sedan from Lexus; 2008’s ES four-door has “a classy, conservative design,” Cars.com says, while acknowledging its “sharper angles and more defined body panel creases.”

Automobile agrees--the ES 350’s “all-new suit of sheetmetal is considerably more flattering than the ES330's bathtublike shape”—as does Motor Trend, which reports that “from the nose on, the sheetmetal flows into a rakish, aerodynamic body with a bit of the GS and IS sport sedans' flavor.” While Mother Proof describes the exterior of the 2008 Lexus ES 350 as "curvy and sharp,” Kelley Blue Book wonders if it may be "a bit too conservative."

Reviewers had few complaints about the interior. Car and Driver calls out the 2008 Lexus ES 350’s “posh interior.” The five-seat cabin “has a flowing dashboard design” that “looks a bit plain when finished in black,” Cars.com reports, but the controls “are easy to learn.” Edmunds waxes the most about the Lexus ES 350: “Inside the ES is a combination of indulgent shapes and textures that are as functional as they are pampering.”

At Lexus, 2008’s ES sedan is powered by a larger, 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 272 hp, a 54-hp improvement over last year's slightly smaller engine. Cars.com reports the engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission (replacing last year's five-speed) and despite its larger size and increased power, is even more fuel efficient than that of the 2007 model at 19/27 mpg.

© Source: thecarconnection
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