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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  excellent ride - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By john - December 17 - 2:00 am

  wow.what a ride

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  Most Trouble Free Car - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By Jeff - December 8 - 8:46 pm

  I purchased my 1996 Lexus es300 in 1995, used, with 130,000 well maintained miles. I drove all over the southeastern us and put another 128,000 miles on the car. 258,000 miles and still going strong. Just replaced transmission seal but the $550.00 is less then a new car and theres no depreciation at this point. Normal maintenance, Mobil 1 synthetic ( 8000 mile per change) and being alert to changing wear items makes a well built car very dependable. 1mz-fe 6 cylinder engine is powerful and dependable.

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  Poor car to own - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Patti K. - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Came with bad tires out alienment. Turn lamp fell off. Floats on the road. Low to the ground getting in and out. Cruise control terrible, it down shifts and charges when going up the slightest incline. Will not return to set speed on cruise if you come to a stop or slow way down, you have to reset everytime you hit your brakes. Hoped I would like the car but I dont. Back seating cramped for leg. Air to back seat is poor. Windshield is sloped and causes extreme heat entrance into the car, Sunvisor has a light switch that should be automatic. The passenger has to hit the button in the backseat to unlock each door everytime if the passsenger wants out.

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  Not too bad of a choice for the money. - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Roman - November 28 - 11:26 am

  Well... When I bought it four years ago I thought it was a perfect car, and it is close to that. However, I had to change rear bushings, fix brakes, change timing belt, rotors, window motor went down (when driving on highway), stabilizers had to be changed, wheel bearings had to be changed, exhaust, the heater on drivers seat stopped working right before last winter. So... this car always took me from point A to point B with comfort, but its not as perfect as it may seem to be. Lexus is reliable, but far from perfect. The best car I had so far was Civic (but again, it was practically new).

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2001 Lexus ES 300
  By Ted - November 25 - 7:50 pm

  We bought our Lexus ES new in 2001. It is now 6.5 years old and has 79,000 miles. I just replaced the battery for the first time, and other than that, I have done oil, air filters, and one set of tires. This car is the most reliable thing. We paid the ES off 2 years ago and are going to keep it as a second car. We will be purchasing a new 2008 ES 350 and hope it is just as reliable as this one has been. Also nice to know is that the resale value is still approx $13K, after 7 years! We are sold on Lexus!

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  Great , but not like the previousES300s - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By musicman2721 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  1000 miles. Has an erratic transmission shift pattern. Was present in the 2002 models as well, and was suppose to be fixed by a software change, but it isnt. It is actually dangerous. If you release your gas pedal, and press it back to where it was you get a huge thump. You also find it very hesitantif going from say 27 to 40 mph. The delay is very noticeable, dont get into an intersection, and need immediate move. First Lexus says, the fix is delayed (shelved), and now theysay end of 2003. I dont think Lexus knows how to fix this 5 speed problem. It affects power because normal gas pedal pressing doesnt allow the transmission to shift quick enough.

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  Happy ES300 Owner - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Pabster - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this 1998 ES300 as a certified pre-owned vehicle. My style of driving is easy going and the smoother the ride, the better. Aside from that, I want to feel relaxed, at ease, and confident that my car will be very reliable though out the years. Thus, Im not interested in an "aggressive" car to deal with Greater D.C. Traffic. The acceleration is responsive, the transmission silky smooth, and the road noise minimal. I describe this car to my colleagues as a "Gentlemans" vehicle. If you are an aggressive driver looking for sport, then consider the IS.

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  HEY, ITS A LEX - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By KANE - November 14 - 10:00 am

  This is car is a beautiful car. I upgraded from a 1994 Pathfinder XE so all the amenities that this car has are a bonus to have. My Lex is a Coach Edition so it has the nice perforated leather which is great for summer. The car runs as if new and the seats are still intact. The car runs smooth. You cant even tell the car is on. All the safety features are great, like the Traction Control and the engine immobiliser system. I always get stares when I drive by. And although this was the #1 selling car for Lexus I dont see it that often on the streets where I live, which may or may not be a good thing. But hey, its a Lex with Toyota reliability.

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  Worst car ever - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By kelli - November 9 - 2:43 pm

  My third Lexus. First two 96 and 98 ES300s were great. This car has been cheapened up. Most repairs ever. The wheels bend. The aluminum is too soft. It has no power and the tranny shifts when you would think it wouldnt. Sway bar links, struts, wheel bearings, lights, wheels, all replaced. Check engine light comes on and off. It was a older one owner vehicle and it has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Avoid this model. Gonna take my losses and try the ES350.

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  Comforting and smooth performance - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By Eric Hwang - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I have been dring the Es300 for about 3 months and the car gets better and better. It is more quieter than the bmw 300 series and better performance than a volvo 60. I was suprised to see a company with a short history can make this kind of car.Im very satisfied with this machine and planning to purchase more cars from Lexus.