Lexus ES350 Review: Just a Camry in a Tuxedo?

[@stephenhills2420]

A Camry in a Tuxedo? I have heard a lot of dumb statements, but this takes the prize for stupidity.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Thank you Stephen. It’s an honor to have earned that award.

[@joelthorne7434]

Not nice. Others have compared the ES to the Camry.

[@tonysterbenc]

As an ES owner, I happen to think the answer is no. But I think it's a legitimate question to explore, and overall I think this video was a fine job.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

@tonysterbenc Thanks Tony. It’s a great car! I don’t think that being closely related to the Camry is a bad thing. I just drove one the other day and oh lord, was it pleasant! Quiet, smooth, roomy. I’m a sedan person and kind of miss the days where the R&D was focused on the sedan of every brand. SUV’s have taken over and I understand their practicality but driving a smooth sedan as is the case of the ES is refreshing.

[@SerendibRider]

Firstly, the ES350 is based on the Toyota Avalon and not the Camry. Camry is a smaller car in every way. Secondly, Toyota is not dumb enough to build both cars alike when Lexus is considered a ‘luxury’ car brand. ES 350 build quality (inside and out), ride comfort and driving characteristics are vastly superior. These two cars are not even close and should not be compared. I know it because I have used them both.

[@zanderg5264]

Thank you for an excellent video. I like your calm delivery so many other car review KZbinrs sound like they are yelling and on too much caffeine haha lol

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Haha I follow Raiti’s Rides since he was way smaller and love the guy but he screams! 🤣. My wife gets annoyed when she hears Joe.

[@encompassvideo5429]

I have the 2019. A criminally underrated, superb car. Compare it to anything German at 30-40k more; you will never go back to Audi/BMW/Mercedes.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

I agree. The Germans are great at over complicating their cars but in my experience they’re unreliable past initial warranty. The RX (and any other Lexus for that matter) are solid, comfortable drivers that last a long time. I’ve owned 3 and will eventually go back to one. I do wish Lexus made a rear wheel drive crossover though; a personal preference. I’m interested in seeing the upcoming Mazda CX70 before I decide my next new car purchase. Thank you for watching my video

[@zanderg5264]

For me there was no comparison I tried the Camry and from the dealership experienceto the finish of the product it was no conteststo the ES to me is a gorgeous car that’s why I purchased that one and the question is not would you wanna spend 7000 more for the es…yes is it worth …it would be like why would you spend $7000 less for the Camry which is not to me a very luxurious ride or look either way it’s gonna last 10 years 15 years even. and it rides like a dream , interior is the best of Japanese design, real beautiful wood, I got it in the cloudburst gray. I got so many complements and I live in Southern California neighborhood where people regularly d buy cars twice the price.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

You’re absolutely right as someone who pays attention to the detailed craftsmanship of vehicles such is my case. Actually, the owner bought hers after she rode in her friend’s which is pearl white with tan interior. The dealership experience is key to me as well. I once bought an Audi and the purchase process was good but the service was atrocious! Lexus usually ranks very high when it comes to the service experience not to mention reliability. Although I claim to having absolutely no brand loyalty, I have had 3 Lexus (2 new). Thank you for your comment

[@joelthorne7434]

I was close to buying a Camry however the cheap interior ultimately was a deal-breaker. Life is too short and I’m considering the ES, which brought me here. Enjoy!

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

The ES is a solid, quiet car. I have owned 3 Lexus and it’s the brand I trust the most. I have only had great experiences with the purchase process and their service department. That’s why I keep coming back.

[@Mattdog45]

Smooth delivery on your commentary. I just wish it was available in AWD like the old GS

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

I don’t think I ever saw a GS with AWD. Sad to see the GS go. One of my favorite sedans of all time.

[@tonysterbenc]

GS's with AWD were common in the Snow Belt, although I'm unsurprised they were rare in sunny California where there'd be no point. Problem is, the GS was a far costlier platform that didn't enjoy the volume efficiencies of Camry part sharing that let Lexus hold the ES's price down. It was the best sedan nobody bought.

[@Heart3433]

You can actually remote start the car with your key fob if you click the lock button three time and on the third time hold the button and the car will start remotely.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

I didn’t know that! I’ll try it next time I get to a chance. Thank you for your comment

[@Handlethispromptly]

It's two clicks then hold the third click for 3-5 seconds the blinkers will blink 5 times and start the engine after.

[@dstreetsr]

Yes, it is worth the extra money because of the service you get from Lexus and the E350 rides and looks much better than a Camry.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

I think so! That’s why we opted for the RX350 vs the Toyota Highlander, similar vehicles, same platform, etc yet I prefer to pay the premium to get the Lexus. Thank you for your comment King

[@Handlethispromptly]

From what I have read this platform is actually based off of the Avalon and not the Camry. Though I think it does share some similarities. When I got my ES I already knew I wanted a Lexus. I went with the ES because I like the wider body and smoother lines. IS was too sharp and thin looking.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

The ES is definitely more practical and more comfortable than the IS. I had an IS350 and it was an amazing, solid car but the rear seat was cramped and the ride was stiffer than the ES. Thank you for your comment

[@anthonyperez5744]

The ES rides on the avalon platform. IS on Camry platform.

[@xxsilver_gamingxx389]

But aren’t the es and Camry both mid size

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

They are both midsize, same FWD platform. The IS is a completely different RWD platform

[@tonysterbenc]

That is not accurate. The ES rides on the Avalon platform, yes, which shares many components with the Camry. But the IS is completely different. It's on a RWD/AWD platform that's a smaller variation of the now-extinct GS, sharing only engines.

[@joelthorne7434]

CVT transmissions are also in Corollas.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Yes, they’re in most 4 cylinder passenger cars. They serve a purpose by helping vehicles achieve higher MPG.

[@tonysterbenc]

Completely different transmission (except the Corolla Hybrid). The e-CVT in the hybrid ES is stiill unpleasant to listen to, but absolutely bulletproof compared to gas-engine cars' CVTs.

[@vblogeoIntenso]

Wow 🤩 calidad de edición ✍️me gusto el título!!

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Uy colega, gracias! este video me tomó como 30 horas de principio a fin… se gana más en el McDonald’s

[@buffalo_wings8224]

You mentioned the 8 speed was "jerky" in the RX but never really commented on the ES350 8 speed. I would be interested in your opinion if the ES350 8 speed was tuned better.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Honestly, the 8 speed is “jerky” on the RX in my opinion but is more perceivable in bumper to bumper traffic which in the RX I experienced for nearly 3 years. I don’t like to make assumptions and that’s all I could do with my short experience with the ES but my guess is that 5 years later, in a sedan application, should have been improved. So, no I didn’t perceive the transmission on the ES to be jerky, but I didn’t drive it in bumper to bumper where the RX sometimes struggled to find the right gear… I was impressed with how refined the ES is. The owner, as I mentioned in the video picked it for being a normally aspirated V6 with a conventional automatic. I wish I would have driven it longer and in bumper to bumper traffic of which we have no shortage in California. The ES does a great job at being what it is: a premium, family sedan with a perception of quality and longevity that comes associated with a Lexus product. Thank you for your comment Buffalo.

[@saumiljariwala6400]

I think the lexus es350 has a remote start using the key fob. Press lock button thrice short-short-long press

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

It does but what I didn’t like about it on my RX350 was that once you opened the door the engine would shut off. I don’t know if it’s still the case with newer Lexus and I’m also not sure that this base ES* had that feature. Thank you for watching my video.

[@tonysterbenc]

@@JuanCarlosLTO Pretty sure all ES's have the feature. There are two ways to start the car keylessly, but the fob method doesn't expire or require a subscription. The KZbin videos of the Car Care Nut are very informative on this.

[@vibras.positivas]

Great information 👍

[@gunnerboss001]

Thank you for the review. Can you plz tell the exterior car colour here? Is it the Sonic Chrome? ( maybe diff name in diff region)

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

You guessed right, in the USA market that color is not named that or it’s not available. This one is called “Cloudburst Gray. Thank you for watching my videos

[@b.c.5502]

Yeh, but what a beautiful tuxedo!

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

It’s a great looking car and IMO one that you can keep way past initial warranty with peace of mind that it won’t be breaking down all the time

[@b.c.5502]

@@JuanCarlosLTO I have a 2004 Avalon XLS with 260k miles and it still drives beautifully, never broke down once. I wanted to get a new one but none is available. So I just ordered a ES 350 which is essentially the same except even better - before they replace that silky smooth V6 with a turbo four.

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

BC: I know! The smooth delivery of the V6 vs the turbo 4… unfortunately most manufacturers are putting turbos in all of their engines. Let’s enjoy these NA’s for as long as we can… and then there are the CVT’s taking over as well… 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ve had that engine twice, once in an is350, and then in our RX… silky smooth, bullet proof.

[@BlackMamba08]

Reliability that’s the reason

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

They’re bulletproof cars, that’s for sure

[@arturoreynoso3460]

Cuando menos los subtítulos, que sean es español

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Ahí le puse subtítulos en español… el cambio verdadero

[@Haqiqa_fy_daqiqa]

🇲🇦🇲🇦👍👍👍👍👍