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Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Lexus ES350
Despite what some luxury brands may be telling us, not all drivers are looking for bucket loads of horsepower and driving dynamics on par with sports cars. Some buyers are really only looking for a comfortable and luxurious ride that isolates them from the outside world. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 was made with these car shoppers in mind.

The ES 350 foregoes driver engagement and excitement and concentrates on a cosseting cabin with top-notch leather upholstery, rich wood trim and silence reminiscent of a bank vault. Its V6 engine adequately propels this entry-level Lexus, giving it performance numbers that are just average in this segment. The ES 350 is easy to drive and can be optioned with as many or as few technological features as buyers want, and this seems to be a winning formula for many entry-level luxury sedan buyers.

This ES 350 formula sees almost no adjustments for 2011. The only notable change is the recommendation to use standard 87-octane unleaded instead of the pricier premium fuel. The V6's rated power has dropped slightly as a result (from 272 horsepower to 268). But assuming that performance is not a primary concern, this should benefit the average ES 350 owner. As it stands, the ES continues to have just one main drawback, which is its tendency to get rather pricey as options are tacked on.

Among other sedans in the ES 350's price range, we count the Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Genesis as the closest competition -- both offer similar features and levels of comfort but are a bit more responsive in terms of driving dynamics. You could also check out the Acura TL and Volvo S60, which are sportier still. It's worth considering all these models, but overall the Lexus ES 350 continues to be a fine choice for a luxury sedan.



INTERIOR
Inside, the ES 350 gains revised steering wheel controls and new interior trim color options highlighted by a new wood veneer. The optional navigation system gains XM Radio's NavTraffic and NavWeather services. Bluetooth will be standard for the new model year. The ES 350 also features an eight-speaker premium sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and USB access.

The ES 350 also has three major option packages, including the Navigation System/Mark Levinson Package which features a HDD navigation system with voice command, XM NavTraffic and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker stereo upgrade. The less expensive pure Navigation System option package includes the HDD navigation system, XM NavTraffic, and Lexus Enform to offer Destination Assist with a subscription basis.

The final option package is appropriately called the Ultra-Luxury Package which features upgraded semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior, wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shit, heated and ventilated front seats, driver's seat power cushion extender, Lexus Memory system, panorama glass roof, power rear sunshade, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, Dual-Swivel Adaptive Front Lighting system (AFS), 17 inch wheels, and a full-size spare tire.

On the safety front, rear seat side impact airbags are newly standard, as are rain-sensing windshield wipers. Lexus' Safety Connect telematics system will come with a one year activation, while the more comprehensive Lexus Enform system is bundled with navigation.

 EXTERIOR
The ES was revamped for the 2010 model year onward. Revised headlamps and a new grille design set the updated ES 350 apart from the outgoing model, while a chrome lower body side molding and side mirrors with integrated turn signals set the exterior design apart. Redesigned rear tail lamps and new wheel designs round out the changes outside.

The Lexus ES 350 comes standard with a wide range of content including push button access and vehicle starting, dual-zone automatic climate control, power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, Lexus Memory system for the power driver's seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel.

After going through some styling tweaks last year, the 2011 Lexus ES 350 gets a new color, Deep Sea Mica, which replaces Black Sapphire Pearl. Other exterior features include standard 17-inch wheels, dual exhaust, rain-sensing wipers and a moonroof. A panoramic glass roof and 10-spoke wheels with “liquid graphite” finish are optional.

 ENGINE
Driving the 2011 Lexus ES 350 is a revised 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 that now runs on 87-octane regular gasoline instead of premium. The result is a slight dip in horsepower (from 272 to 268), but lots of savings at the pump. The engine features dual variable valve timing technology and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. The ES 350 achieves a decent 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which is better than most configurations of the competing Acura TL and Lincoln MKZ.
  
SAFETY

Standard safety equipment for the 2011 Lexus ES 350 includes stability and traction control, antilock brakes, front and rear side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Optional features include a radar-based pre-collision system and the "Lexus Enform and Safety Connect" emergency telematics system.

In recent Edmunds brake testing, the ES 350 came to a stop in a longish 133 feet from 60 mph -- that's 18 feet longer than a Hyundai Genesis sedan took in the same test.

In government crash testing, the ES 350 earned five out of five stars for frontal crash protection and front seat side crash protection. It earned four stars for rear side protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the ES 350 was awarded the highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side crash tests. The IIHS notes, however, that these ratings were based on results from the Toyota Camry, which shares a platform with the Lexus.
reference:www.leftlanenews.com,www.newcars.com,www.edmunds.com