Lexus ES350 F Sport Review

The Lexus ES350 F Sport: Blending Luxury with a Dash of Athleticism

Are you in the market for a luxury sedan that offers more than just a plush ride? Perhaps you appreciate the serene comfort of a premium vehicle but secretly crave a touch more excitement behind the wheel. Choosing the right luxury sedan can be a balancing act, weighing serene comfort against dynamic performance. Look no further! This comprehensive Lexus ES350 F Sport review will delve into what makes this particular model a standout choice, helping you decide if it's the perfect blend of sophistication and sportiness for your lifestyle.

What Makes the Lexus ES350 F Sport Stand Out?

The Lexus ES has long been synonymous with refined luxury and unwavering reliability. However, for those seeking a more engaging driving experience, Lexus introduced the F Sport line. Launched in 2007, the F Sport badge signifies a performance and trim upgrade designed to inject a dose of athleticism into Lexus's already impressive lineup. Think of the ES350 F Sport as a sophisticated bridge between the standard, comfort-focused ES and Lexus's full-blown, track-ready "F" performance models. It's about enhancing the driving feel and visual appeal without sacrificing the core luxury tenets that Lexus is known for.

Striking Exterior Design: A Sporty Presence

From the moment you lay eyes on the Lexus ES350 F Sport, its intentions are clear. It takes the elegant lines of the standard ES and amplifies them with a more aggressive, sporty aesthetic. Recent refreshes have brought an updated grille, sleek LED headlights, and eye-catching 19-inch wheels that give it a commanding presence on the road.

You'll notice the distinctive F Sport badging, along with unique styling cues such as gloss black accents, a subtle trunk-mounted spoiler, and a sportier front bumper. These elements contribute to an overall edgier look that sets it apart from its more subdued siblings. Colors like the vibrant Ultrasonic Blue Mica further emphasize its dynamic character.

Luxurious and Driver-Focused Interior

Step inside the Lexus ES350 F Sport, and you're immediately enveloped in a cabin that exudes meticulous craftsmanship and premium materials. Lexus's attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the soft-touch surfaces to the precise stitching across the dash and door panels.

The F Sport trim truly shines here with its unique appointments:

• Sport Seats: You'll find aggressively bolstered front sport seats, often available in a striking Circuit Red NuLuxe (a premium synthetic leather) or other leatherette options, designed to hold you comfortably during spirited driving. These seats are typically 10-way power-adjustable and can be heated and ventilated for optimal comfort in any climate.
• Ergonomic Steering Wheel: A thicker, F Sport-specific heated leather steering wheel provides a more tactile grip.
• LFA-Inspired Gauge Cluster: The digital gauge cluster, inspired by Lexus's iconic LFA supercar, adds a high-tech and sporty touch, with the tachometer changing colors when you switch drive modes.
• Advanced Infotainment: A prominent 12.3-inch touchscreen display with Lexus Interface takes center stage, offering intuitive control over multimedia functions, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. For audiophiles, an available Mark Levinson PurePlay 17-speaker, 1800-watt premium surround-sound audio system can transform your commute into a concert.
• Ample Space: Despite its sporty demeanor, the cabin remains remarkably roomy, offering plenty of legroom for both front and rear passengers. Even the trunk provides a respectable 13.9 to 17 cubic feet of cargo space.

Performance and Driving Dynamics: Is it Truly "Sporty"?

Under the sculpted hood of the Lexus ES350 F Sport lies a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a healthy 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. This power is managed by an ultra-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission, providing ample acceleration for daily driving and highway passing. The ES350 F Sport can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.0 to 6.6 seconds.

So, does the "F Sport" badge translate to a true sports car experience? Not entirely, and that's by design. While it offers a performance boost over the standard ES 350, it remains first and foremost a luxury sedan. The ES350 F Sport comes with specific enhancements like adaptive variable suspension and front and rear performance dampers, which help to tighten the handling and reduce body roll, especially when engaging Sport S+ mode. This allows it to handle sharp corners with impressive composure, feeling grounded and confident.

You'll find various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport S, Sport S+, and a customizable mode, allowing you to tailor the car's responsiveness to your preference. The cabin remains exceptionally quiet, even at highway speeds, contributing to the overall luxurious driving experience. While it might not be a hardcore corner-carver, it delivers a confident, smooth, and surprisingly fun drive, especially for a luxury sedan.

In terms of fuel economy, the ES350 F Sport is rated by the EPA at around 22 MPG in the city, 31 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG combined.

Advanced Safety Features for Peace of Mind

Lexus places a strong emphasis on safety, and the ES350 F Sport is no exception. It comes equipped with the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance features designed to enhance peace of mind on every journey.

Key features include:

• Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection: Designed to alert you to potential frontal collisions and can even automatically brake if needed.
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist: Helps keep you within your lane by providing alerts and gentle steering corrections.
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC): Maintains a preset distance from the vehicle ahead, even in stop-and-go traffic.
• Road Sign Assist (RSA): Displays certain road sign information in the instrument cluster or head-up display.
• Automatic High Beams (AHB): Automatically switches between high and low beams based on traffic conditions.

Additionally, available safety features can include a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) for confident lane changes and backing up, and Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking to help navigate tight parking spots. The Lexus ES also boasts impressive safety ratings, holding a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and being recognized as an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Conclusion

The Lexus ES350 F Sport truly offers a compelling package for those who desire the hallmark Lexus luxury and reliability but crave a more engaging and visually dynamic driving experience. It masterfully blends a comfortable, quiet ride with a responsive V6 engine and a sport-tuned suspension that adds a welcome dash of athleticism. While it won't be mistaken for a track car, it provides a confident, stylish, and enjoyable journey, making every drive feel a bit more special.

Is the Lexus ES350 F Sport the right blend of luxury and sport for your lifestyle? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or better yet, visit your local Lexus dealership for a test drive and experience it for yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What kind of fuel does the Lexus ES350 F Sport use?

The Lexus ES350 F Sport is designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane), so you don't need to splurge on premium fuel.

Q2: Is the Lexus ES350 F Sport all-wheel drive?

The Lexus ES350 F Sport typically comes with front-wheel drive (FWD). While some other ES models might offer all-wheel drive, the ES350 F Sport is primarily a FWD vehicle.

Q3: How does the Lexus ES350 F Sport compare to other ES trims in terms of ride comfort?

While the F Sport trim features a sport-tuned suspension and performance dampers, it remarkably maintains the smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride that Lexus sedans are renowned for. It's designed to offer a more engaging feel without sacrificing the luxurious ride quality.

Q4: What are the key differences between the ES 350 F Sport Design and F Sport Handling packages?

The F Sport Design package primarily focuses on aesthetic enhancements, giving the vehicle a sportier look. The F Sport Handling package, however, goes a step further by adding functional performance upgrades such as an adaptive variable suspension and F Sport tuned suspension, providing a more dynamic and responsive driving experience.