Lexus ES 300 sedan restructured with more space, plus power
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Lexus, upscale offshoot from Toyota, reorders best-seller ES 300 in a radical move.
Compared to its predecessor, the 1997 edition of this mid-size sedan measures wider in wheelbase and longer in length. It pumps more horsepower but travels more miles for each gallon of fuel consumed, and there are more comfort features installed inside a lush passenger compartment.
Then the price for all of these improvements snips more than seven percent from the bottom line -- down to $29,900.
The deal adds up to far more car for far fewer dollars.
Changes for this new model also represent a clear departure from Toyota's Camry, which in the past compared almost directly to the Lexus despite the fact that the Toyota came out of a Kentucky plant and the Lexus shipped in from the Japanese motherland.
Previous editions of the junior Lexus luxury sedan rode on a platform similar to Camry's. Even the exterior styling appeared alike, although lines seemed smoother on the Lexus due to the visual de-emphasis of side pillars in a fluid design of the window system.
Camry has also been reshaped for 1997 editions, and each model becomes more distinctly defined.
Whereas once the two vehicles shared many common parts, for the new Lexus you'll only find about 30 percent of Camry's comparable components and these appear in subtle places away from a comparing eye.
In past issues, this driver always had a difficult time selecting the Lexus over the Toyota due to similar packaging but disparaging pricing.
With ES 300 for 1997 and its pared price chart, there's no dilemma at all: This is a great car filled with fine features and it's priced competitively against other imports in this narrow class.
What is that category?
It's a relatively rare niche: Mid-size front-wheel-drive near-luxury sedan priced around $30,000.
Since its debut in the Lexus line six years ago, the ES 300 has achieved best-seller status as the dominant Lexus, along the way showing up on every auto expert's "Best Buy" list within its class.
The latest version, previewed in prototypes driven recently on winding Virginia routes wrapping around Charlottesville, reveals a new sophistication in mechanical systems and far more comfort features aboard.
Despite these improvements, the Lexus still retains eye-popping novelties, like electro-luminescent analog instruments which seem to float in front of the driver in magical 3-dimensional glow.
But changes effected for this car appear in subtle ways and take side-by-side comparisons to detect differences.
Start with size -- it's 2.4 inches longer than before, with a wheelbase stretcher of two inches that shows up inside the cabin with increased rear-seat leg space.
It also weighs 78 pounds less than last year's model, thanks to efficient components of less parts or weight. Couple that pared bulk to the power increase and an impressive horsepower-to-weight ratio results.
The Lexus engine, a 3.0-liter V6 with twin cams, 24 valves and multi-point fuel injection, was tweaked to push horsepower up to 200, and torque quotient also rises.
This engine mates with an electronic 4-speed automatic Lexus transmission containing computer intelligence capable of seeking out the smoothest shift patterns.
The action feels quite lively, with crisp acceleration.
Fuel economy figures look better this year, while noise and vibration levels have diminished dramatically -- it's so quiet you hardly hear the idle.
Climb inside, shut all doors and you'll seal yourself in an isolation chamber shrouded in heavy layers of sound-deadening materials.
A unitized chassis produces a stiff platform which helps eliminate sound-intensive rattles of lesser cars.
Ride quality for ES 300 is sheer delight.
That stiff chassis forms a solid platform to attach a fully independent MacPherson strut-type suspension designed to impart a luxury feel to the ride while at the same time permitting sporty action through quick response systems such as the rack and pinion steering mechanism with its variable speed-sensing progressive power effort.
Front and rear suspensions were revised to reduce the body's natural tendency to roll outward in a turn.
As a result, it feels aggressively agile, as proved on too many of Virginia's tight mountain turns, and, for a vehicle pitched for luxury, it's surprisingly fun to drive.
An adjustable suspension for $600 adds a console switch which permits the driver to select four levels of firmness, ranging from downright cushy to firmly sporty.
ES 300 looks slick and sophisticated now in smart stance where all lines flow in concerted streamlined fashion.
Also, the quality of fit and finish for this car will impress the scrutinizing eye, as it rivals that ultimate Lexus sedan, LS 400.
Safety systems also impress, beginning with twin airbags for front riders. A critical safety system, 3-channel anti-lock action, appends four ventilated disc brakes regulated by power controls.
For only $300 more, you can add a traction management device that helps prevent wheel slippage.
With its slant toward luxury, plush comforts are at hand inside ES 300.
Power controls attach to virtually everything. I was able to customize the driver's bucket to a precise fit. Knobs and buttons on driver's armrest, center console and dash seemed ergonomically ideal in revised format, and that console added an armrest which fit just right.
The model I steered stocked optional leather seat upholstery and an audio changer which corralled a six-pack of compact discs in convenient dashboard compartment.
Bottom line: The new sedan packs many of the benefits of LS 400 and now out-classes primary class competitors.
1997 LEXUS ES 300
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| 1997 LEXUS ES300 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size luxury sedan |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size luxury sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
105.1 inches |
| Overall Length: |
190.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
19/26 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 29,900 to $ 34,000 |
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