Lexus ES 300 2002 Review

Lexus has always had a bit of a problem convincing buyers that its mid-sized luxury sedan, the ES300, was anything more than a seriously well-equipped, well built and very expensive Toyota Camry.

It's common knowledge that is exactly what the ES300 was, a premium version of the Camry built primarily for the US market. But that is not to say it didn't live up to the luxury and quality expectations of a $70,000 plus car, its just that in the Australian market especially, the strength of the Camry and its similarities to the Lexus posed many questions about the value of the latter.

For the rest of the Lexus passenger car lineup - IS 200 and now 300, GS 300, LS 430 and SC 430 - no such problem exists for they are either stand alone products or based on Toyota vehicles not sold here.

But while the previous ES 300 models have sat alongside the aforementioned locally-built family sedan with an unmistakable similarity in their exterior looks, the all new model, launched late 2001, finally sits apart from its mum and dad mainstream market sibling.

This is not likely to last long though as the all new Camry is due to hit our shores next year and don't be surprised if it carries a fair degree of the new Lexus with it.

Whether the car shares the new ES300's styling cues remains to be seen but what it will be, like the Lexus, is longer, wider and taller.

In the ES300 this has increased the interior space, particularly for rear passengers, who benefit from more leg and headroom. It has also helped distinguish the car further from the new 3.0-litre IS 300, which is aimed squarely at the smaller BMW 3 series, while the ES300 has the German's 5 Series in its sights.

As expected with a new model, the engine is also more powerful and while it still runs a version of Toyota's 3.0-litre V6, the addition of variable valve timing and some other modifications have lifted power and torque slightly to 158kW and 299Nm respectively.

With a stiffer stronger body and a heap of extra equipment, the car tips the scales with an extra 83kg on board so the extra power doesn't shoot it into sporty territory. However, the 3.0-litre is still a smooth and more than adequate engine for the task and only makes its presence known when really pushed hard.

It is now mated to a five-speed automatic transmission which, like the larger LS 430, offers a gated shift through which you can hold lower gears.

The stiffer body and upgraded suspension offer predictable, if not inspiring, handling with the car definitely set up more for comfortable cruising than cutting lines through mountain passes. And comfort is one thing Lexus does very well.

Noise, of any sort, is almost impercetible at average suburban and highway cruising speeds, allowing you to simply enjoy the superb sounds of your choice emanating from the six-disc in dash CD system. Surrounded by the quality ambience of leather and wood and absolutely everything that opens and shuts, whirrs and blows - all electronically with the minimum of fuss - you could almost forget you are actually behind the wheel of a car.

And just in case that happens, Lexus has filled the ES 300 with a vast array of electronic active and passive safety aids including ABS, vehicle stability control, traction control and six airbags - dual front, front side, and side curtain.

For all that, you will be asked to dig deep, for at launch the car listed at $84,900 with the only option a delete of the satnav system valued at $4950.

If you are not after excitement or Euro badge snobbery in your automotive preferences, but simply quality, comfortable easy transport that is loaded with equipment, the ES300 deserves a look but remember there is a Camry just around the corner that may not be too dissimilar at less than half the price.