Wednesday, June 25, 2025
62.1 F
Roseville

Lexus ES 350 looking for sales bounce back

Japanese automaker shifts focus

Roseville, CA- Lexus decided to bid farewell to the GS sedan this year, a move that puts more focus on the more affordable ES 350 sedan.

While the ES has never generated tremendous sales, it has been a steady producer for Lexus since it was introduced in 1989 along with the flagship LS model. Together, the pair helped establish the Lexus brand, the luxury division of Toyota.

- Advertisement -

2025 Placer County Fair in Roseville!

Placer County Fair

Now in its seventh generation, the Japanese automaker is hoping the 2021 Lexus ES 350 rebounds from a year ago when sales were 43,292 – it’s lowest since 2011. Believing it will exceed its best year in 2007 (82,867) would be too much to ask. However, the absence of the GS sedan could bolster sales.

AT A GLANCE – 2021 LEXUS ES 350

  • Performance: – 3.5-liter, V-6, 302 horsepower
  • Mileage estimate: 22-32 mpg
  • Price estimate: $40,100 to $49,100
  • Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; drivetrain: 6 years/70,000 miles; roadside assistance: 6 years/60,000; corrosion: 4 years/unlimited

Available Models

The ES lineup features four trim models (ES, F Sport, ES luxury, ES ultra luxury) and the new all-wheel-drive-equipped ES 250, a 2.5-liter, inline-four with 203 horsepower. The ES 250 (not reviewed here) is less powerful than either the standard ES 350 or its hybrid version.

We drove the upgraded F Sport model for a week and enjoyed the sportier appearance and more engaging ride. With that said, the F Sport shares the same engine as the standard ES 350 and is not dramatically different. The F Sport trim has larger wheels and its suspension tuning adds to the performance. Yet it has a way to go to be more athletic than competing models like the BMW 5-series.

Other than adding the FS 250 to the lineup, there’s nothing exciting that greatly differentiates last year’s ES 350 to the 2021 model. Lexus made minor revisions to the midsize sedan’s standard and optional features, and added a new Black Line Special Edition that really is nothing all that special.

Confident handling

The ES 350 has a solid performing engine, a 3.5-liter, V-6 that produces 302 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. The engine delivers good overall performance in a smooth fashion and combines solid fuel economy. It travels 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds (5.9 seconds in F Sport) and gets 22-32 mpg.

What we enjoy regarding the ES 350 is it’s a nice car to drive around town that can also provide smooth acceleration and up its game when the challenge arrives, like a steep grade or a trip into the mountains. It provides composed handling, good steering and road grip, resulting in a true feeling of confidence for anyone behind the wheel.

Safety

As one expects from a luxury sedan, the ES 350 comes standard with a multitude of safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, lane keeping assist that minimizes road wandering, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

Interior

Interior of Lexus ES 350

The ES 350 interior has a smart cabin that offers lots of comfort for the driver and passengers. Seating is firm and supporter in both the front and back seats, and gives its occupants plenty of head and leg room. The 17 cubic feet of trunk space allows plenty of room for multiple golf bags or luggage for several people. One downside is the rear seat does not fold down, so forget about transporting any over-sized items.

The interior has an 8.0-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, a terrific 10-speaker sound system and standard SiriusXM satellite radio. The complaints continue regarding the touchpad controller that is difficult to master and distracting to the driver.

Overall, the 2021 Lexus ES 350 is a solid midsize luxury sedan that is offered at a reasonable price. While it doesn’t match some of its competitors, who typically have more performance, the appealing price and its overall quality makes it worth purchasing.

- Advertisement -

2025 Placer County Fair in Roseville!

Placer County Fair
TICKETS HERE! - Placer County Fair

In Roseville starting June 26th!

New Summer Menu!

Support local sports!

🍎 Gravenstein Apple Fair

Trending

Six decades of madness: Ozzy Osbourne’s sonic legacy

Roseville, Calif.- Today, we're celebrating the musical legacy of Ozzy Osbourne. For those interested peering beyond his "Prince of Darkness" persona and bombastic entertainment stagecraft he built for his audience, you'll discover

Diabetes is not destiny: Take control today

Sacramento, Calif. - Type 2 diabetes (T2D), now epidemic in the United States, is a national tragedy. One in three Americans born in the 21st century is expected to develop diabetes-including young children.

87th Annual Placer County Fair this weekend in Roseville

Roseville, Calif. - More and new heart-racing carnival rides and games, a better-than-ever entertainment lineup, deep-fried food favorites, the popular livestock area and auction, Blue Ribbon-winning exhibits, the return of the adorable All-Alaskan racing pigs, and wine tasting are all part of the 87th annual Placer County Fair.

Big Batteries, Clean Future: SMUD and DESRI Unveil Dry Creek Storage Deal

Sacramento, Calif. - DESRI and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District today announced that they have executed a long-term power purchase agreement for the Dry Creek Energy Storage project. Dry Creek is a 160 megawatt/640 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system

Bluesdays free concert series returns to Palisades Tahoe for 16th season

Olympic Valley, Calif. - The sixteenth summer of Bluesdays in the Village at Palisades Tahoe returns this June as Lake Tahoe's must-see summer music series.

Topics

Six decades of madness: Ozzy Osbourne’s sonic legacy

Roseville, Calif.- Today, we're celebrating the musical legacy of Ozzy Osbourne. For those interested peering beyond his "Prince of Darkness" persona and bombastic entertainment stagecraft he built for his audience, you'll discover

Diabetes is not destiny: Take control today

Sacramento, Calif. - Type 2 diabetes (T2D), now epidemic in the United States, is a national tragedy. One in three Americans born in the 21st century is expected to develop diabetes-including young children.

87th Annual Placer County Fair this weekend in Roseville

Roseville, Calif. - More and new heart-racing carnival rides and games, a better-than-ever entertainment lineup, deep-fried food favorites, the popular livestock area and auction, Blue Ribbon-winning exhibits, the return of the adorable All-Alaskan racing pigs, and wine tasting are all part of the 87th annual Placer County Fair.

Big Batteries, Clean Future: SMUD and DESRI Unveil Dry Creek Storage Deal

Sacramento, Calif. - DESRI and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District today announced that they have executed a long-term power purchase agreement for the Dry Creek Energy Storage project. Dry Creek is a 160 megawatt/640 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system

Bluesdays free concert series returns to Palisades Tahoe for 16th season

Olympic Valley, Calif. - The sixteenth summer of Bluesdays in the Village at Palisades Tahoe returns this June as Lake Tahoe's must-see summer music series.

Royer Park in Roseville, a downtown destination for recreation & exploration

Roseville, Calif. - Tucked alongside a small strip of Dry Creek which runs quietly through Downtown Roseville sits the unassuming Royer Park. Coming in somewhere around 17 acres in size, this downtown location provides

Vernon Street Town Square in Roseville, a focal point of community sponsored events

Located next to City Hall in the heart of Downtown, Vernon Town Square offers a water splash park during the summer, picnic tables and restrooms. With convenient free parking and a centralized location, it's the focal point for many events

Visionary developers sought to transform downtown Roseville lot

Roseville, Calif.- The City of Roseville is seeking proposals for the purchase and development of 1.17 acres of City-owned property at 505 Royer St.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Mobley Pest Services in Roseville serving the community and region for over 20 years

Roseville, Calif.- Fully licensed and bonded, Mobley Pest Services in Roseville has been providing reliable pest control services for well over 20 years. Serving residents and businesses in the greater Placer and Sacramento region, Mobley Pest Services is locally owned and operated in Roseville.

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center emphasizes the use of prevention and natural therapeutics

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is a professional primary care natural medicine committed to helping all people reach their full potential – mind, body and spirit.

California Fence and Patio serving Placer County for over 30 years

Loomis, Calif. - California Fence & Patio is proud of their reputation as the premier fencing and patio cover contractor in the Roseville,, Sacramento and Placer County region.