The 2023 Lexus ES Shows Luxury Sedans Aren't Dead Yet: But Is It Really Better Than the Competition?

The ES Models have always been stone cold reliable machines. Never overdone, just enough power to keep you satisfied and really a perfect example of basic luxury done comfortably.

My Brother is on his 2nd Lexus ES 350 non F sport they will run forever/ superior fit&finish &ride quality.

I'm a 51-year-old guy with a 2006 6 speed GTO and a Miata as my toys, 2 V6 Accord V6 coupes as my dailies. The Accords are now getting up there in mileage, and my 2017 is also quite disappointing due to cheapness with regards to interior fit, finish, and materials. The 2023 ES Ultra Luxury is now my go-to because it has a silky smooth V6, solid build, plush very, very quiet ride, and an excellent Mark Levinson sound system. AND it still has buttons, switches, and knobs! Plus, the classy analog clock!

No one Buys a Lexus for "excitement ". We buy for reliability. That is something a Mercedes and BMW cannot claim.

Right on Nathan. Say it how it is. The sedan is NOT dead. Just because there are more CUVs than ever before, does not mean this class is on the extinction list.

Getting old and still the best in its class.

Ultra Lux version for me, softer rider, quieter with double pane glass on that version and it is not a Camry. Just the doubling of weld points on ES vs Camry is a tell tale of superior build.

Underrated segment. The whole group, especially this, TLX, Genisis, and the Volvo, have a great design so and have character without being gaudy. I ain't real sophisticated-like, but showing up somewhere in one of these sedans instead of an SUV is like wearing a well tailored suit.

Probably the best sedan you can but currently, smooth, comfortable, well packaged… in 20 years it will still be running and driving well, what other current luxury sedan can you say that about? In a world of more and more vehicles on the road that will be unfixable in 10-12 years this thing is the last of a breed.

What’s so funny is that though this isn’t a sporty car, this is far more capable than 90% of SUVs that sedans are cross shopped against and are stealing their customers. I get that “sportiness” is something reviewers are use to talking about with sedans, but try to compare them to what it’s actually being cross shopped with/what is taking its customers along with other sedans.

I drive its now discontinued big brother, the GS350 AWD. Terrific car! I wish it was still being made. 😞

They used to be modeled after Camry's. They modeled them after the Avalon in the 6th and 7th gen series.

Lexus bring back the GS! RWD & AWD!

Reliability is the PRIMARY reason you get the ES 350. Shopped with my step dad this week and looked at the ES 350 (Base and F Sport Handling), CT5 V6, Camry, Audi A6 (big discounts right now), and Genesis G70/G80. He narrowed it down to the CT5 and ES 350. H thought the ES 350 was beautiful and luxurious, but he really liked the CT5 power and acceleration - 405 pound-feet of torque is no joke. That car hauls butt. One issue with the CT5 is their sunroof yields a big bulge in the rear seating area, with an indentation for taller folks. It's tight, and almost every VT5 available in the USA had the sunroof even though way more headroom without it. He also wanted to keep the final price under $55K while well equipped, and that was a bit challenging given what both Lexus and Cadillac was building. Every CT5 we found equipped the way we wanted was $58K+ after tax. He ended up with the ES 350 Base with Premium package, 12.3" screen and 18" wheels all for about $54K total. The CT5 equipped well gives you al LOT more stuff, but reliability is definitely a concern, but let's face it, every major car maker today is super reliable compared to 20-25 years ago. Also, the Lexus dealer by his house is fantastic, though Sewell is as good as they get as well. On his ES 350 I really wanted him to have the heads up display but Lexus refuses to make any of the base models with it, and to get it you had to spend over $5K more on an Ultra Luxury. The multi camera screen setup comes with the Ultra as well but I am not impressed with it and compared to the one from Hyundai/KIA it is downright terrible. The fake leather seats don't feel fake at all. Real leather ones are barely distinguishable from the NuLuxe ones. Oh, my step dad chose the Base over the F-Sport. It was a toss up and frankly I could tell the F Sport had a firmer ride. It saved him $2500 and got him just as good a car.

This car was based on the avalon after I think 2018. While Toyota will discontue the avalon they're still going to produce the es 350

I love my ‘21, nimble, quick and 33 MPG on the highway. Probably the best car I’ve ever owned.

I often wonder how long the ES will last if it’ll ever get discontinued I hope not

Love the previous model ES. The latest model looks awkward in the rear quarter IMO. Build quality and dependability is top notch though. Hope lexus ups the power numbers on the next full redesign. They may get my business

Alex on Autos tested the ES cabin at 69 decibels, the quietest among luxury sedans...not sure what noise you heard..

Return of the Mac! Playa play ON!!!❤