2018 Lexus ES 350

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Rating7.7

Ranked #16 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$38,950
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Cabin insulation.

No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The car has been carried over from the previous year.

Smooth V6 engine.

Distracting navigation controller.

Advanced electronic safety system as standard.

Dull handling.

Specs & Features

$38,950

price

302 hp @ 6600 rpm

horsepower

267 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.5L 6cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Lexus has decided to stick to its elegant design and hasn’t changed much in order to stay in sync with the current line-up of the brand. The 2018 Lexus ES 350 does a great job of keeping the cabin quiet while driving which is essential for a midsize luxury sedan.

The 2018 Lexus ES 350 is offered in two powertrain configurations, the standard variant would carry a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission making 268 hp with 248 lb-ft torque, and the other option would be a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that houses Toyota’s two-motor hybrid system. This segment consists of rivals like the Nissan Maxima, the Lincoln MKZ, and a much more expensive Audi A6. What sets the Lexus apart from the other cars is its cabin space and standard features like simulated leather upholstery, power front seats, and automatic wipers along with a few other gizmos.

Buying Advice

The 2018 Lexus ES 350 undoubtedly is a great midsize sedan and it comes with a premium interior that packs in more space than the competitors. For $38,950, this car is a bargain, and even though there are cheaper rivals in the same segment, the Lexus feels like a much more refined product. The drive definitely isn’t the sportiest but the Lexus ES 350 makes sure that the occupants are comfortable at all times no matter what the road condition is. The only challenge we faced with the car was the navigation control touchpad as it takes time for someone to get used to it.

Trims

    Base
    $38,950 onwards
    • 12-Speaker Harman Kardon sound system
    • Dark exterior trim
    • Four-Speaker sound system w/ CD player
    • Hill holding assist
    • Wood grain interior trim

Compare to similar cars

Price

$38,950

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.65

Horsepower

302 hp @ 6600 rpm

Torque

267 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

Capacity

-

Read Review

$33,000- $45,750

Gasoline

7.39

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$49,700- $61,400

Gasoline

7.27

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$69,700- $130,700

Gasoline

8.37

340 hp @ 5300 rpm

325 lb.-ft. @ 2900 rpm

5

Read Review

$52,650- $73,900

Gasoline

8.81

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$34,895- $49,795

Gasoline

7.54

272 hp @ 5500 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$46,295- $71,095

Gasoline

7.8

268 hp @ 5600 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,750- $59,500

Gasoline

8.19

311 hp @ 6000 rpm

293 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,200- $53,000

Gasoline

7.31

208 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$50,300- $67,600

Gasoline

7.18

330 hp @ 7000 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Lexus ES 350 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.1 sec15.1 sec-
    4.4 sec14.7 sec143 mph
    5 sec13.6 sec-
    2018 Audi A7

    Ranked #3

    5.2 sec14.1 sec130 mph
    5.5 sec--
    5.6 sec14.1 sec-

    2018 Lexus ES 350 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      22 mpg32 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.349.8/508.8 mi.
      51 mpg53 mpg52 mpg13 gal.663/689 mi.
      25 mpg34 mpg28 mpg19.5 gal.487.5/663 mi.
      2018 Audi A6

      Ranked #2

      25 mpg34 mpg28 mpg19.8 gal.495/673.2 mi.
      24 mpg34 mpg27 mpg14.5 gal.348/493 mi.
      23 mpg33 mpg27 mpg17.2 gal.395.6/567.6 mi.

      2018 Lexus ES 350 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        195.9 in.73.4 in.56.9 in.-113 in.
        200.1 in.74.4 in.57.1 in.6 in.120.5 in.
        196.5 in.74.4 in.58.3 in.5.3 in.118.5 in.
        2018 Audi A7

        Ranked #3

        196.2 in.75.2 in.55.9 in.4.4 in.114.7 in.
        195.5 in.72.2 in.57.2 in.6 in.114.6 in.
        195.3 in.72.2 in.57.5 in.5.5 in.111 in.

        2018 Lexus ES 350 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.9 cu.ft.-13.9 cu.ft.
          10.4 cu.ft.91 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.
          2018 Audi A7

          Ranked #2

          24.5 cu.ft.127.3 cu.ft.97.1 cu.ft.
          13.7 cu.ft.97 cu.ft.13.7 cu.ft.
          15.4 cu.ft.96.5 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.
          15.3 cu.ft.107.7 cu.ft.15.3 cu.ft.

          2018 Lexus ES 350 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            13.9 cu.ft.13.9 cu.ft.13.9 cu.ft.-
            16 cu.ft.13.1 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.-
            13.2 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.-
            -15.1 cu.ft.--
            8.8 cu.ft.19.1 cu.ft.8.8 cu.ft.50 ft.
            98.2 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.10.4 cu.ft.67 ft.

            2018 Lexus ES 350 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1050 lbs.3690 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3739 lbs.
              1000 lbs.930 lbs.3505 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3373 lbs.
              --3870 lbs.
              -1166 lbs.3671 lbs.

              2018 Lexus ES 350 Sedan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              5

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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