2016 Lexus ES 350 review from Family Wheels

The refreshed 2016 Lexus ES is smooth, refined, efficient and surprisingly fun to drive. But can a mid-size luxury sedan work for family life, too? Take a look.
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[@JuniorLexus6692]

I am young and i love the ES models they are classy, reliable, great on gas.....quiet comfortable smooth ride.

[@gusrui]

Does the ES350 require premium fuel only?

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

Gustavo Ruiz regular

[@anthonyrivs1024]

I have to agree I have a 2018 es I’m not all myself and I love the car what a smooth ride

[@costantineyoussif6679]

@@anthonyrivs1024I’m looking to get either 2016 or 2018 model !! Do you recommend the 7th gen which the 2019 with the new 8 speed Tran. And new engine 2GR-FKS

[@vinrave]

I have to disagree on what you said, that this car is for old people. This car is beautiful and sexy. I would rather say, that this car are for people who has great taste when it comes for being class. I am 28 and I would definitely look professional, if I would own this red ES350.

[@nicholaspetre1]

Totally agree with you , man

[@cherylgrace2279]

Totally Agree

[@VincentScales]

In the APEAL study, responding Lexus ES owners were older (average 67 years old vs 57 for the segment), more likely male, and had higher annual household income ($165,278 vs $150,146 for the segment) than premium sedan buyers in general!

[@mathewellison6110]

i’m in my 20s and i’m getting a Es 350 next week it’s beautiful

[@debbiejohnson2789]

Congratulations!

[@n71itrer]

I'm 34 and own 2 Lexus ES Sedans. 10 and 17. They are affordable, comfortable and offer solid reliability. The 2010 is more comfortable to me but I like them both.

[@alanhumphrey4198]

I have the 2017 Lexus ES 350. It has been a great ride so far...

[@ThinkOutsideTheCube]

Great video! Our 2016 ES Luxury package has been problem free since new.

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Bought a 2014 one of these over a newer Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger, figured I was gonna own it for at least 6-7 years and put 100,000 miles on it. The compelling reason to own one of those cars was the HEMI V8, which in my price range meant something a bit ragged out/wrecked for a V8 car, plus the fuel economy penalty. V6 300/Chargers/Challengers, you can find those dirt cheap all day long, like 2019 cars with 20,000 miles for the same prices as my 2014 ES with 50,000 miles. Figured the Lexus was the better buy despite having 4-5 more years of age on it, Toyotas hold up a lot better than anything else if you keep them long term.

[@TheBlooRayChannel]

ES= Executive Sedan.

[@GS250Premiun]

You do know what the holes in the front seats are for, right? Peltier thermoelectric cooling or normal heating... Air is "blown" in, whether with the PTC unit, or a simple fan that uses the cooler or warm air that an air conditioner would provide for the cabin. By the way, you can solve your yoghurt problem by avoiding eating it in the car, or using a napkin if you insist on eating in there.

[@livefreeordiehard8898]

RX 450h Executive ikr. He keeps doing those nonsense yogurt tests. 😂

[@squilla8956]

I’m 35 and I love this car. Maybe I have an old soul? 😂 Not just for old people anymore

[@FamilyWheels]

Cars are like art and, therefore, totally up to the individual!

[@squilla8956]

Family Wheels agree. Good video btw

[@costantineyoussif6679]

Same age here :) and I’m digging the look of it

[@2402zia]

This dude is awesome. Excellent review and zero ego.

[@on-site4094]

Good old reliable dependable Lexus even after 10 years of ownership

[@FamilyWheels]

That’s a great endorsement for the brand!

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Or 20+ years. Had a 1992 SC300 I daily drove from 2012 to 2018, put 40,000 miles on it in that time, only once did it not start and that's cause my dumbass ran it out of fuel.

[@bretmelton7116]

Great video. I really like this model.

[@MrJef051171]

great review

[@singhgurjit8614]

I love lexus ES 350

[@IsaiahLexus]

Great review i really enjoyed it keep making videos and i agree i wish Lexus would make a wagon es, gs, and is

[@FamilyWheels]

+IsaiahLexus Thanks for watching. Would love to see this, and especially the IS in a wagon.

[@ansarishariff]

Nice review, would had been more nicer to see some action on the road and 60 seconds stuff and all. I wonder why you said its for gray hair people. I am 32 and I love the looks of the car. And this will be a treat for my wife if she wanted to take spin on a sunny day. This solves the problem of having a second car.

[@DocX36]

Nice review! Looks like Lexus did a decent refresh for 2016. I recently bought a 2013 ES, good information about the seats, I made sure not to get those, but got the NuLuxe ones; also there is no good place put sunglasses...

[@FamilyWheels]

Thanks for watching, Glenn.

[@oldtwins]

Tuned out when you did the yogurt smearing and try to make people think perforated seats are some kind of evil idea. They functionally assist cooling by allowing for air circulation. In the ES there is also a fan providing forced air, but even on lesser cars perforations allow for passive cooling, which makes a huge difference when you drive a car for hundreds of miles without stopping, which many of us do. This is why you see taxi drivers use car seats that do the same thing, and even mesh office chairs. Also, a side feature is the perforations provide surface friction area so you slide around less on these type of leather seats that don't have a lot of bolstering.

[@FamilyWheels]

+oldtwins Thanks for watching. Absolutely, ventilated seats are great for big drives on a hot day. We're just pointing out one of the down sides for daily life with a family. This is a concern that many family viewers who own cars with perforated seats have appreciated me mentioning because they didn't realize how hard it would be to keep seats like these clean.

[@shaikhfahad870]

I love this one

[@jackmark93]

the ride comfort is fucking epic

[@alechappy2070]

'If you don't eat your Yogurt, You don't get your meat.' One of the worlds best port injected motors and 6 speed gearboxes that have a certain long lived 'Excellence' to them. It will take you to the Grave on pennies while the others will cost you both arms and a leg. My Neighbour continually asks 'can you pick me up from the M-B dealership at 9.00am.. It just stopped !

[@c3piano]

The seats are perforated because they are ventilated, allowing a flow of air to circulate through the holes. It's very comfortable on hot days, but not with yogurt. A wagon is too exposed during a trip. A conventional trunk keeps the cargo hidden from prying eyes.

[@gregtwogood9442]

Great review. I have the Acura TSX wagon and love it. Too bad they don't make it anymore. What's your top 3 2017/18 wagons?

[@FamilyWheels]

Oh, yeah! Great car. Favourite wagons: Volvo V90 Cross Country Audi Allroad VW Alltrack Subaru Crosstrek

[@sultan32u]

Thank you.

[@humbertogonzalez7505]

Have you done any reviews on full size SUV’s such as the Expedition or Suburban?

[@FamilyWheels]

Yeah, it's interesting... we just don't get those size of vehicles to test. But I imagine we'll be in the Expedition/Navigator at some point this season.

[@tigerrx7]

"Given it the beans?" Nice expression sir

[@FamilyWheels]

Ha... thanks very much. Gotta find new ways to say the same things in this business.

[@robertbrandywine]

I think it is a northern U.S. expression.

[@michaellackie6274]

What wagon do you recommend for good gas mileage and rainy weather?

[@UrbanCastle]

I walked into a Lexus dealership to check out this car. Went with my dad, who was asked by three different people if they could help. And after 20 minutes of never having been asked to help, I walked away concluding Lexus really very badly doesn't want my business. Lincoln and BMW were exceptional in their attention to care of potential new customers, and that's where I spend my money.

[@Uluhbek97]

Brett West Not all dealership are same..

[@GreatDrums.]

Same thing happened to me. They come across as a bunch of dicks

[@jayc4715]

So youd buy a lesser car just because of treatment by some car salesmen

[@parisbentleyjackson9672]

U compared a e class wagon to a es wagon?

[@AndyAand]

Good review. U did not say anything about the ride quality. Those are 17 inch wheels. I am thinking of getting the 18 inch wheels that consumer report did not like from the previous lexus (2015) as the ride quality was worth. Also, you did not like the front seats, but you liked the rear seats. What's the difference?

[@FamilyWheels]

+andreybeci Thanks for watching. I thought ride quality was great in this car. Wheels and suspension were smooth and quiet. As for the front seat comfort, I found they didn't hug me as well as I'd like a driver's seat to. The bucket is flat and I didn't feel well bolstered. However, you wouldn't expect that same kind of bolstering in the back and rear legroom was great.

[@EngSultan01]

I'd prefer white or black leather interior for this red exterior !

[@jesseatwater393]

It actually stands for "Executive sedan" officially, though insiders at Lexus say it really stands for "entry sedan." LS is "Luxury sedan" and SC is "Sports coupe." I have no idea what GS stands for (if anything).

[@FamilyWheels]

+John Grabowski I pulled that tid bit straight from the Lexus press kit, John. Must have some crossed wires! Thanks for watching.

[@jesseatwater393]

+John Grabowski Maybe they've changed their minds!

[@RobertWorthLexus300]

+John Grabowski I have an ES and was told it stands for Executive Sport.

[@Cinoism]

+John Grabowski GS= Grand Sedan, IS = Intelligent Sedan, LX= Luxury 4x4.

[@benjaminsurf5235]

Thanks for the video, is having an extended warranty worth it for the this one thanks

[@FamilyWheels]

We don't do long-term tests so any advice on extended warranty would be a guess. But JD Power three-year ownership surveys indicate Lexus is reliable. Thanks for watching.

[@High61Way]

ty

[@killerXover707]

Literally perfect except for that odd infotainment navigator… just make it touch screen

[@FilmScape4K]

Did you get the yoghurt out?

[@janidak]

definitely a ES wagon would be great like a toyota venza..

[@ILC-eo6vk]

I'm debating on a 16 like this or a 2019. Has anyone owned both years and are there big differences?

[@costantineyoussif6679]

Same here what did you end it up getting ?

[@mattjbg7025]

​@@costantineyoussif6679 I recently went with the 2016. Better value for the price point

[@jackmark93]

to add to what i said i run over rocks on purpose to see if i can actually feel them

[@jesseatwater393]

All those cool features...my 2015 Hyundai Sonata has them. More comfy seats, too.

[@jesseatwater393]

Oh, plus a bigger sunroof, side sunshades, more storage, and an "intelligent" power trunk. Oh, yeah, and of course paddle-shifters!

[@aram1098]

You cant compare a Lexus to a Hyundai..there not even in the same class. But enjoy all those trips to the service department with your Hyundai.

[@rifleman542]

lol I was thinking the same, no comparison at all there between the two, having owned both a Lexus ES 350 and a Hyundai, ES350 is supremely quiet, has a soft suspension and is incredibly quick 0-60, the Sonata doesn't even come close to what the ES 350 offers in terms of ride comfort and quiet cabin its like riding on the clouds, I might have believed they are equal if I had not owned them before, but not anymore, Hyundai just entices you with their gimmicks of offering you all not so important things in a vehicle, but things that do really matter are of subpar quality i.e. transmission, engine, ride comfort, cabin noise, etc. are lower quality than luxury brands

[@imkevinhoff]

Lipstick on a pig. Sorry there's more to it than just the features. Engineering and build quality are something you certainly don't get with the Hyundai.

[@samsonokoro5036]

You couldn't have said it better, i have driven several Hyundai and Kia's. They are all a joke compared to this, this car is even quieter and smoother than the new e class. People think comfort and luxury means optional equipment alone, the ride quality in this ES is just superb. The only quieter cars are the LS Lexus, the Mercedes s class and cars in that category of which very few surpass it and they are way more expensive.

[@nicholaspetre1]

Executive Sedan actully

[@stevewise1656]

It boggles my mind why 1) Lexus doesn't offer a touchscreen 2) offers Apple CarPlay. That little mouse is a nightmare to operate during a test drive.

[@alanhumphrey4198]

Touchscreen will come on 2022 ES...

[@stevewise1656]

@@alanhumphrey4198 Good to know! Seriously, I want to buy a Lexus, though being distracted while driving and their overall lack of design creativity has held me back.

[@JB-ou4fu]

Just bought an es350 with premium, luxury package and panaramic sunroof. Bye-bye Acura -- never again. You can keep all of your torque converter issues that date back to 1999, your oil consumption issues due to bad piston ring design. Oh yeah, and now you've got engines with the gasoline and oil mixing together in the cylinders. Haha. My advise to Honda is, please follow the K.I.S.S. principle because you're FAILING.

[@on-site4094]

J B you made A great choice you cant wrong with a Lexus you see them running around with 250 300 thousand miles on original motors and transmission mat Farrah in the USA did a test let all his friends drive an old Ls and got it to a million miles I have an is for 5 years bought it used just maintenance great driving experience 👍

[@worldlinerai]

You know, I was very close to getting the Acura TLX before I learned about the problems with those vehicles. We have purchased many Honda’s in the past. I went with the ES at the end after reading consumer reports where they recommended the ES as a better alternative.

[@checkerslane]

Lexus skews older....I dont think so. Definitely younger

[@FamilyWheels]

+Checkers Lane That's what Lexus told me... but with this model in particular.

[@zhaoguanyugary]

the price is in cad right？

[@FamilyWheels]

+gary zhao Yes, it is.

[@Gauthamag23]

Where's roger ? ...:)

[@curseknight5]

how are the base speakers?

[@FamilyWheels]

It's been quite a while and I can't remember the quality of the sound system. If you take one out for a test drive, feel free to post about it below. Thanks for watching.

[@robertbrandywine]

I just can't get by the grille on the Lexus models.

[@desmondmilner9945]

Comments by Desi. The 2016 ES350 is my 3rd base Lexus and the worse redesign Toyota ever made. It has no place for sunglasses, it is NOISIER than my pass sedans, memory seat positions have been removed from the base model, outside rear mirrors do no tilt down as in previous base models, the center information screen is difficulty to use and I do not use it, and the cigarette lighter which I use to attach my GPS to is in the most awkward location. I like the rest of the refinements.

[@Silversmith68]

You say your a tall guy. I would think you could reach into the trunk.

[@1AEROSOL.1PUFF]

No! Station wagons are horrible, suv's are the way to go.

[@senaddor]

ES = executive sedan

[@djraulcee]

no touch screen is the deal killer for me

[@minhtamducnguyen3070]

The front of the car looks scary! "Shark jaw". Is it ugly?

[@chesterchan2005]

japanese people don't like wagons much.

[@thejunkyardmechanicwilliam7848]

It's not a sports car You want that by a LC 500

[@dorranrobinson6207]

This stick is bashing the king of autos..its for old ppl like real? Germans autos are crops.

[@ILC-eo6vk]

That front plate ruins the look.

[@rockslide4802]

How many times are you going to say "older demographic"? Some day when your youthful skin problems have cleared up you'll understand that age is not as relevant as you seem to think it is. And please convert liters and kilometers to gallons for the rather large market of 320 million plus Americans who use gallons/miles per gallon as a barometer of fuel economy. And finally, it's Lexus, not "older" people that think a analog clock is classy and elegant. I much prefer an digital clock and I'm twice your age.

[@olasek7972]

I disagree about comments about its sportiness, the car has very poor, undefined and mushy steering, no way I would take it on windy country road, at least not to have any fun, frankly my old 2006 Toyota Corolla has better, crispier steering. I watched this and other ES reviews and I was almost convinced to get this car (the car has some great interior finish options) but a test drive quickly dashed my expectations. I am getting IS 350 instead and this one handles superbly. Interesting what the dealer told me - you are too young for the ES (and I am 63).

[@sploekgriffy1402]

how about giving the miles per gallon as well you metric elitist

[@FamilyWheels]

That's the system of measurement here in Canada - which is our target market. Hardly elitist.