2021 Lexus ES 350
The 2021 Lexus ES isn't the most expensive vehicle in its family, but it may be the most talented. It's a luxury car; it's a family sedan; it's a high-economy hybrid. It's also sleek-looking, spacious, and on the cutting edge of safety. The 2021 model enhances its appeal with a new ES 250, the name denoting a 2.5-liter, 203-horsepower 4-cylinder model that gets an 8-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. All but the new model now get standard blind-spot monitors as well.
Lexus continues to offer two other powertrains with the ES, one conventional and one hybrid. The latter option uses the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder found in the ES 250 but pairs it with an electric motor and small battery. Output is up slightly to 215 horsepower.
The most popular option is the ES 350, which employs a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Like the ES 250, it uses an 8-speed transmission and comes standard with front-wheel drive.
Of these choices, the hybrid leads in fuel efficiency by a wide margin with its EPA-rated 43 mpg city, 44 highway, 44 combined. The ES 250 is behind it at 25/34/28 mpg; the ES 350 ranks last with its EPA-rated 22/32/26 mpg.
Standard active-safety features include automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control.
Regarding crashworthiness, the NHTSA gave the ES five stars overall and four stars for frontal collision and rollover. The IIHS named the ES a Top Safety Pick+, but the designation only applies to models equipped with the costliest LED headlights; otherwise, the IIHS gives the ES top marks in crash testing but doesn't award it the prestigious accolade.
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The 2021 model enhances its appeal with a new ES 250, the name denoting a 2.5-liter, 203-horsepower 4-cylinder model that gets an 8-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. All but the new model now get standard blind-spot monitors as well.
Lexus continues to offer two other powertrains with the ES, one conventional and one hybrid. The latter option uses the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder found in the ES 250 but pairs it with an electric motor and small battery. Output is up slightly to 215 horsepower.
The most popular option is the ES 350, which employs a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Like the ES 250, it uses an 8-speed transmission and comes standard with front-wheel drive.
Of these choices, the hybrid leads in fuel efficiency by a wide margin with its EPA-rated 43 mpg city, 44 highway, 44 combined. The ES 250 is behind it at 25/34/28 mpg; the ES 350 ranks last with its EPA-rated 22/32/26 mpg.
Standard active-safety features include automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control.
Regarding crashworthiness, the NHTSA gave the ES five stars overall and four stars for frontal collision and rollover. The IIHS named the ES a Top Safety Pick+, but the designation only applies to models equipped with the costliest LED headlights; otherwise, the IIHS gives the ES top marks in crash testing but doesn't award it the prestigious accolade.
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| Engine | 3.5L V-6 |
| MPG | Up to 22 city / 32 highway |
| Seating | 5 Passengers |
| Transmission | 8-spd auto w/OD |
| Power | 302 @ 6600 rpm |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel |
| Curb Weight | 3,690 lbs |
