2009 Lexus ES Sedan

What Changed for 2009:

• Matador Red Mica replaces Royal Ruby Metallic on the paint palette

Overview
The Lexus ES 350 is a midsize luxury sedan that offers a 272-hp V-6 engine, automatic transmission, and a load of standard luxury features. It is similar to the Toyota Camry, although a more luxurious version (Lexus being Toyota’s premium division). Redesigned for the 2007 model year and receiving a handful of updates for 2008, the 2009 model year sees no major changes for the Lexus ES.

Model Lineup
The 2009 Lexus ES 350 has one trim level, a single V-6 engine, and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes real wood accents; dual-zone automatic climate control; trip computer; power tilt and telescoping steering wheel; keyless entry and remote vehicle start; stability and traction control; 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS; 10-way power front seats; sunroof; one-touch up/down windows; 8-speaker audio system with single-disc, in-dash CD changer and auxiliary input jack; sunroof; and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Optional equipment includes leather seats; heated/ventilated front seats; front-seat memory system; Bluetooth connectivity; park assist; adaptive cruise control; adaptive Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlamps; power rear sunshade; voice-activated navigation system; and chrome wheels.

Powertrain
The 2009 Lexus front-wheel-drive ES 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter, V-6, 24-valve, 4-cam, dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) engine that delivers 272 hp at 6200 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. of torque at 4700 rpm. Power is transferred through a 6-speed electronically controlled sequential-shift automatic transmission. Stability and traction control, and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, are standard. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 3.5-liter V-6 engine are 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway, classifying the ES 350 as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV-II).

Safety
The 2009 Lexus ES 350 carries a full complement of standard or available safety features. These include standard dual front and front knee, front-seat side and full length side curtain air bags. Rear-seat side air bags are optional. All ES 350 models also include: seat belt pre-tensioners for all seating positions; child restraint seat (CSR) tether anchor brackets for rear seating positions; child safety locks; electronic park assist; anti-theft protection; optional pre-collision system and backup camera; 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS; stability and traction control.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2009 Lexus ES 350 receives a 5-star rating (the Administration’s highest score) for all occupants in frontal and front-seat, side-impact crash tests, and a 4-star rating for rear-seat occupants in side-impact tests. In NHTSA rollover testing, the ES 350 receives a 4-star rating. Though it has not tested the 2009 model, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the seemingly identical 2008 version “Good,” the Institute’s highest score.

Technology
A Lexus premium sound system with automatic sound levelizer, single CD player, auxiliary input jack and 8 speakers is standard on the ES 350. A premium Mark Levinson 14-speaker surround-sound audio and video system, and a voice-activated navigation system, are both optional. Bluetooth connectivity is also available. Remote vehicle start is standard. An ultra luxury package is available that includes a panorama glass roof, navigation system with voice recognition (and a rearview camera), and steering-linked headlamps. Satellite radio via Sirius or XM is optional.