The 2009 Lexus ES 350 is for owners who place their highest priorities on comfort and luxury––but don’t count the ES 350 out on performance. Thanks to a powerful V6 engine, the ES 350 is fast with handling reviewers find “close to perfection” for a midsize, front-wheel drive luxmobile.
For the consumer seeking the utmost in refinement and relaxation, the Lexus ES 350 is the ultimate in commuting and cruising comfort. Perhaps no other vehicle projects such an aura of taste and success as the ES 350. As NewCarTestDrive.com states, “The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan that celebrates smoothness, quietude and sophistication. It doesn't suffer the hard ride of a sports sedan. You can safely sip a cappuccino on the way to work.”
The 2009 Lexus ES 350 is a product of the Lexus L-finesse design philosophy. According to Lexus, L-finesse embodies three essential qualities: Intriguing Elegance, Incisive Simplicity and Seamless Anticipation. Derived from Japanese cultural motifs, these qualities refer to the goals of L-finesse, combining "elegance with simplicity" while "anticipating" owner needs. Whatever Lexus has done with the ES 350, they have found a way to evoke the sensual while conveying a visceral impression of speed and status. 
Car and Driver calls the Lexus ES 350 "the automotive antidote to stress and road rage in one very convenient and comfortable package." We interpret that to mean that even the driver of an ES 350 can sit back and enjoy the ride, but we also wish to point out that driving the ES 350 can be a lot of fun. The reviewers who chose to wring out a bit of performance found the ES 350 superior in handling to luxury sedans like the Volvo S60 and Cadillac STS. If things ever were to get unsettled, Electronic Stability Control and traction control step in to help keep the ES on track. Well done.
Last year, Lexus boosted power in the ES, going with a 3.5-liter 272 hp V6 with six-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. That’s sufficient power to blast the ES from zero-to-60 mph in just 6.8 seconds. Impressively, Lexus was able to improve fuel economy at the same time. The EPA says the ES should achieve 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. TopSpeed.com explains how Lexus does it. "The highly sophisticated engine uses electronically controlled sequential fuel injection, which optimizes the fuel mixture and creates a precise burn, higher output and lower emissions to aid drivability. The result is a substantial improvement in engine efficiency with increased power and improved fuel economy."
Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, rear side airbags and front knee airbags. Lexus' Pre-Collision System, which readies airbags, seatbelts and brakes when sensors detect a skid or imminent crash, is optional. It's paired with adaptive cruise control.
The Lexus ES 350 interior is large for its midsize class, and the roominess makes for a pleasant cabin. As The Family Car notes, "The look and feel of quality materials is evident everywhere. Lavish interior appointments, sound-deadening materials and an excellent sound system combine to give driver and passengers alike a relaxed and comfortable travel experience." With more than 14 cubic feet of space in the trunk, the ES 350 has room for everyone’s luggage.
The interior of the ES comes standard with features like walnut trim on the dash and doors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, automatic dual-zone climate control and a trip computer. Other standards include a HomeLink (garage door and lights) transmitter system and an eight-speaker Lexus premium sound system with single disc in-dash CD player. Ten-way power seats for the driver and front passenger are standard. A sunroof is also standard, and leather upholstery is optional. Other options include the Ultra Luxury Package with a "panorama" glass roof, a navigation system with a rearview camera and steering-linked headlamps.
Another package, the Navigation System/Mark Levinson Surround Sound Audio System, turns the ES cabin into a concert hall with a 300-watt, 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with in-dash six-CD changer and DVD audio playback. This package also includes a voice-activated DVD navigation system, Bluetooth wireless connectivity and a backup camera system.
The total MSRP for the Lexus ES 350 is $34,945, a sticker that promises a lot of car for the money. Now in its fifth generation, the 2009 Lexus ES 350 offers a degree of refinement not found in even some of the full-size luxury sedans. For the driver who appreciates the nicer things in life while eschewing ostentation and flash, the 2009 Lexus ES 350 could not be a better match.
