Making changes to a best-selling model involves the utmost care, precision and delicate consideration.  The new 2010 Lexus ES has benefited from the attention of some of the most skilled designers and engineers in the entire automotive industry, and, as a result, has had its status as the premiere entry luxury sedan firmly cemented through their expert polishing.

The 2010 Lexus ES has held on to its premier position by being quietly competent at almost everything it does. From the outside, it resembles a more mature and larger version of the company’s sporty, youth-oriented IS – a well-defined step up the premium ladder. The company’s L-Finesse design vocabulary has been expanded for 2010 through subtle tweaks and massaging of the sedan’s lines.  The vehicle’s front end receives a makeover with the headlights, bumper, grille and grille surround being gently accentuated and brought into sharper focus.  The sedan’s taillights are also new for 2010, and Lexus has chosen to up the automobile’s safety quotient by integrating turn signals into its side passenger mirrors.

The Lexus ES 350 makes use of an ultra-modern 272-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine mounted just ahead of the driver. With 254 lb/ft of torque on tap, this all-aluminum powerplant is not only powerful enough to stand up to any competitor in its class, but it also qualifies the ES as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). EPA fuel mileage estimates are 19 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg during highway cruising. An electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission helps the front-wheel drive sedan hustle to 60 mph in just under seven seconds with minimum drama.

In fact, “quiet” and “smooth” are the catchwords when it comes to describing the Lexus ES drivetrain with acceleration rising like a swelling wave once the gas pedal has been depressed. The sedan’s suspension system does a good job of isolating driver and passengers from potholes and other asphalt insults, and electronic stability control is always ready to step in to help keep the ES pointed in the right direction.  The sedan also features a body that has been designed to cut through the wind at highway speeds with the least amount of turbulence possible, further calming passenger compartment noise levels.

The interior of the 2010 ES 350 has seen a refresh that both brightens and warms the cockpit.  Heated and ventilated leather seats, attractive new wood trim options and a more practical center console are some of the sedan’s highlights.  The vehicle’s steering wheel controls for the entertainment and cruise control systems have also been updated, and they serve as a convenient interface with the improved 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Audio System that is available as an option.  The vehicle’s touchscreen navigation system now benefits from the ability to respond to voice commands, making it much simpler to use while driving.

Perhaps the most impressive change to the Lexus ES driving experience has been the addition of the Lexus Enform and Safety Connect systems.  These state-of-the-art telematics options connect Lexus owners to a 24-hour a day network of operators standing by to handle their every need in terms of personalized directions, restaurant and tourist recommendations or even just the general questions that can crop up during a road trip or a simple night on the town.  Safety Connect in particular assists vehicle occupants by notifying emergency teams in the event of an accident, providing them with roadside assistance if necessary and even locating a stolen car through built-in GPS tracking.

This extra layer of safety combines with other technologies such as optional HID adaptive front headlights that move with the turning of the steering wheel, as well as radar-monitored cruise control.  The 2010 Lexus ES is also well outfitted with 10 separate airbags designed to handle a wide variety of different crash situations, which in tandem with its optional collision detection system help to make the sedan one of the safest options available from Lexus.

The 2010 Lexus ES is as finely honed a luxury instrument as one can find in modern vehicle showrooms.  With a flair for excellence and a strong desire to cater to the every need of driver and passengers, the ES 350 confidently leads the pack for yet another promising year.