Overview & Reviews

Although unremarkable in styling and personality, the Lexus ES 300 occupied an important place in the Lexus lineup during its 12-year run from 1992-2003. While the company's high-tech LS flagship enjoyed greater fame, the relatively affordable ES sedan was the car most consumers test-drove when they arrived at Lexus dealerships. It was the epitome of the entry-level luxury sedan -- and the sustained success of the Lexus brand likely has much to do with all the good first impressions the ES 300 made.

While Lexus sold three generations of the ES 300, those initial impressions remained remarkably consistent: Pick any year and you'd find a roomy, well-built midsize sedan that felt uncommonly luxurious for its price point. A quick drive would have revealed an astonishingly serene cabin, a supple ride quality and a refined, if uninspiring drivetrain. As such, the Lexus ES was close to the ideal car for harried commuters pulling down a comfortable salary. When it turned out to be extremely reliable as well, the ES 300's reputation as a low-maintenance entry-luxury sedan was assured.

Most Recent Lexus ES 300

The third and final generation of the Lexus ES 300 lasted only two years, 2002 and '03, as a midcycle refresh brought a larger V6 engine, necessitating a name change to ES 330. Like the ES 300s before it, this one was a midsize, front-wheel-drive sedan, heavily based on the Toyota Camry.

The two shared most basic components, but the Lexus had a more potent version of the 3.0-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque (compared to 192 hp and 209 lb-ft in the Toyota), as well as a five-speed automatic transmission instead of a four-speed. Suspension tuning was also a bit different, and only the Lexus could be fitted with optional adaptive shock absorbers. More obvious to most buyers were the ES 300's unique styling cues, higher-grade interior materials and longer list of amenities.

Major standard equipment on the Lexus ES 300 included 16-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a seven-speaker CD/cassette audio system, faux walnut cabin accents and a full set of auto-dimming mirrors and one-touch up/down windows. Also standard were front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags, but you had to pay extra to get stability control.

Leather upholstery was technically optional, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a used Lexus ES 300 with cloth. Among the other available extras were HID headlights, a premium-grade Mark Levinson audio system, a DVD-based navigation system, heated front seats and a wood/leather steering wheel. A CD changer was also available and could be located in the dash or the center console, depending on whether it was ordered with the nav system. The only equipment difference between the 2002 and '03 models was the possibility of ordering adjustable pedals on the latter.

In road tests of the ES 300, editors noted that it was a refined and elegant car well suited for those who wanted a focused luxury sedan, rather than a sport sedan. "There is tremendous value to be had in the Lexus ES 300," we wrote. "The interior makes the owner feel like he spent $70,000 rather than $35,000. It's roomy enough, powerful enough and comfortable enough with a suspension that can tame a winding road as easily as it can a potholed parkway. No, this is not a direct competitor to the BMW 3 Series. But the ES sure makes for a convincing argument to pass over a Mercedes-Benz C-Class."

The only significant complaint you'll hear from our editors and Lexus ES 300 owners involves transmission performance. The five-speed automatic shifted smoothly in normal traffic situations, but when the car was driven more aggressively, it responded with harsh upshifts and delayed downshifts.

Past Lexus ES 300 models

Consumers shopping for a used ES 300 will find plenty of examples from the previous generation, sold from 1997-2001. This was the first ES sedan to distinguish itself from its workaday Camry sibling, and it did this with an extra dose of horsepower, sleeker styling and additional luxury content.

Initially, the ES 300's all-aluminum 3.0-liter V6 offered 200 hp; however, in 1999, Lexus installed a heavily revised version of this engine equipped with variable valve timing. In addition to 10 more hp, the new V6 delivered more torque and lower emissions. A four-speed automatic was standard throughout the run, but Lexus changed the gearing in '99 to take advantage of the engine's broader power band.

Judged by today's standards, this Lexus ES 300 will undoubtedly seem light on amenities, though all models came with alloy wheels, power front seats, automatic climate control and full power accessories. Leather upholstery was optional, as was a CD player. Safety-minded buyers will probably want to skip right to the 1998 model year, as this was when the ES received side airbags and reduced-force front airbags. A premium Nakamichi audio system joined the options list that year, followed by stability control in 1999 and HID headlights in 2000.

Like its successor, the 1997-2001 ES 300 was a comfortable, capable entry-level luxury car with no sport-sedan pretensions. "If your daily commute is primarily straight-line freeway travel, and you're looking for the most luxury for the least money, the Lexus ES 300 scores top marks," we wrote at the time. "But if you're the type of driver who not only uses curvy roads, but also seeks them out, the Lexus will leave you unimpressed. It's not that the car can't go around corners. It actually does quite well when pushed. But nothing about the car, with the possible exception of its killer brakes, inspires performance driving."

The original Lexus ES 300 was sold from 1992-'96. It was a more obvious Camry clone than subsequent ES 300s but was quite popular with consumers nonetheless. Early models had a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 185 hp. In '94, Lexus fitted the car with a new aluminum-block, 3.0-liter engine good for 188 hp and a significant bump in torque. Although a five-speed manual was standard on 1992 and '93 models, the vast majority of ES 300s from this generation were sold with a four-speed automatic.

Standard equipment included antilock brakes, automatic climate control, an eight-speaker cassette stereo, full power accessories and walnut interior trim. A passenger-side front airbag was added for '94. Leather upholstery, a moonroof and a CD changer were optional throughout the run.

If you encounter an ES sedan built before 1992, it's the ES 250, sold in 1990 and '91 only. A hasty rebadging of the Camry from that era, this car didn't really live up to its luxury billing.

User Reviews:

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  My third lexus and very happy - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By jss - September 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought my first lexus in 1992 (es300 - first year). I alway liked the look and feel but alas, it was a standard and my wife didnt want to drive it in traffic. I had fun on the winding roads though. Ended up giving it to my son. My second was a 1996 LS400. Eats gas and its much wider then the es300. Smooth ride but couldnt get past the size and gas cost. Never got so much door dings. Gave it to my other son. Now 1999 ES300 coach. To me, rides just as smooth and as quiet as the LS. Does not feel as heavy. Great fit and finish. A little more boxy than the 1992 model (which I loved). Would buy another 1999 in a heart beat. Its great.

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  One good feature - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By Raven00b - September 7 - 2:00 am

  My car is in really good condition, in spite of the mileage it had when I had intially bought it (over 100,000). Ive had some problems such as the presence of some burned rubber smell in the car when I turn up the heat, but other than that and a few other problems, Ive had had no real trouble with the car so far.

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  Exceeds our expectations - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Suzanne Swetnam - September 7 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has exceeded our expectations in all arenas. We have put over 6000 miles on it in 3 months. It has had zero defects. On acceleration, it has more than enough power for us. We drive 70 miles per day on the interstate and it makes the drive seem short. On long trips, it has gotten 28 to 30 mpg. In town 25 mpg.

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  Luxery with Style and Fun. - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By jackpet1 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a somewhat basic ES300 for a year and love the vehicle. Opted only for leather & five CD changer, this package is dealer standard for this area. Fit and finish is superb and dealer experience is the best I have ever experienced. Previous cars: Porsche, Alfa, Camero, Maxima and a few dogs, this is the best! Now that the engine is broken in, power is enough to impress me. Maxima was quicker off the mark but not worth the rough edges and reliability issues.

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  A Car Built Correctly - 2001 Lexus ES 300
  By w, clay - August 30 - 9:23 am

  I bought this car in June of 2002 it had 26K miles on it. Today in Nov of 2009 it now has 189235 miles. I have only had two repairs the trans and the idle control sensor. The ride is extremely smooth and road noise is low. The sound system is great. I am amazed by the power when you want to get up and go the car responds great. It is a pleasure to drive with the sun roof open and the sound system cranked up. I will continue to buy Lexus products.

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  Awesome Car - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By msbehavn - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Very pleased with this car. Bought it with 95k and its been great the past 5k miles. No problems.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By Johnboy - July 22 - 5:13 am

  I purchased my 96 ES as it was coming off a 3-year lease (with 35k miles on it) in early 99... 11 years and 70,000 miles later, it still purrs like the well-oiled machine it was intended to be. Ive always used premium unleaded gas in the car, and change the oil every 4,000 miles or so -- both of which are critical in extending the engines life. Except for replacement of an alternator and an antenna motor, regularly scheduled maintenance is the only other work thats been performed. In my 45 years of driving American, European and Japanese cars, nothing matches the satisfaction of owning a Lexus. This baby is only worth about $5,000 now, but what could replace it for that price? Nothing.

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  My 2nd Lex - 2001 Lexus ES 300
  By lexusk8 - July 10 - 10:00 am

  As the title says, this is the 2nd Lexus I have owned, and so far the best (I previously owned a 1996 ES300). I bought this 2001 car with 64000 miles on it, all highway, and this was originally used as a business/company vehicle. This is a big improvement from the 96 in all aspects (exterior, interior, comfort, performance, you name it). I have always viewed the ES300 as the "perfect" daily driver for all seasons. Right now, the car has over 76000 miles, and I use the ES300 for everything (work commute, short/long trips, weekend drives). This is and has always been the budding example of Lexus quality.

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  Its worth your money - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By pp - June 26 - 10:00 am

  quiet, smooth and comfort drive; convenient features. much more...

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  After 145,000 miles - 2000 Lexus ES 300
  By thomas - May 17 - 5:33 pm

  Bought my ES300 at 83,000 miles. No troubles, absolutely no troubles at all. Never been to the shop at all except for regular maintenance oil changes. At speeds above 75, wind noise gets appreciable higher through the window. The car has lots of pep only when floored. The tranny thinks for about a second before shifting and then the car flies. A very smooth ride and smooth steering. Absolutely disgusting cup holders. I have given up on the floor mat after numerous spills. There is a noticeable body roll during cornering at high speeds, but thats due to the soft suspension bug - again the ride is magnificently soft. If you are looking for a soft, plush, trouble free ride. This is not a sports car.