Overview & Reviews

Lexus polished up some of the details on the ES 330 for 2005. Revised exterior styling includes a new front and rear appearance with updated lighting and trim. Inside, color revisions and new wood availability keep things fresh. New 17-inch wheels are available in either chrome or alloy finish. A memory function now applies to both the driver and front-passenger seats, and heated and ventilated front seats are a new option. A revised steering wheel with auxiliary audio controls debuts, as does voice activation technology for the optional navigation system.

• Comprehensive array of luxury and convenience features, superb ride quality, silent cabin, advanced safety technology, excellent reputation for reliability.

• Bland driving characteristics, many of the most desirable options are expensive, no split-folding rear seat.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 161.00

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  My Opinion - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By William Galarneault - April 7 - 2:06 am

  Not as good as previous Lexus autos I have owned. One major problem causes me to never recommend this car. The transmission. It jerks, slows down differently when one lets up on the accelerator. Even acts like you are braking when you are not doing so. In itself, this could be adapted to by a driver, but it is not consistent. Sometimes it does these things, other times it acts like a normal car. Friends have assigned the knickname "Lurch" to this car.

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  My first non GM vehicle - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By charlie - March 31 - 9:40 pm

  I bought the ES330 for the ride comfort, and it does the job. The fuel economy is not as expected (sticker ratings). The engine/transmission function is not smooth, but lots of jerk when shifting. Too soon (13K miles) to speak to quality, trusting the market over the years to be right. If the comfort was NOT my main need, I would not buy another. Just not a performing vehicle as I am used to.

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  1st time Lexus Owner - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By NJ Owner - January 24 - 8:03 am

  Overall, a very nice car. Cost of operation is very good. Oil change charge is the same as a regular Toyota. Not like Mercedes or BMW where its $30 for the filter alone. MPG is 26. Good highway performance. More of a cushion ride, not a tight ride like BMW or Mercedes. Purchased pre-owned with 20K miles for $19K, with 6 months of original warranty. My only dislike is wind noise coming from moonroof. Great value!

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  TCM, ECM Problems - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Henry Casimer - December 12 - 11:06 pm

  My wife is principal driver but in January 2006 I drove the ES330 4,000 miles from northern IN to Key West and return. The engine and transmission fails to respond to throttle commands and the vehcle does not downshift to third gear when needed. With the pedal to the metal at 60 mph it takes forever to get back up to 70/75 mph. Same problem on entrance ramps. Trying to merge in 4th or 5th gear at 2,000 rpm will not get you out of the way of 18 wheelers. Car is at the dealer now. Have reported this to NHTSA as a safety issue. 25 mph not too impressive. GM can do 30 mpg with 3.8 L.

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  Disappointed - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By thresher - December 7 - 6:40 am

  The car has a very bad shifting which the dealer says is normal. Very jerky motion like something from a 10 year old car. Not what I would consider luxury. Engine revs way too high. The ac is fine the controls are good but still not what I would consider luxury

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  2005 ES 330, My Impression - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By alboy - November 4 - 11:06 pm

  Overall, this seems to be a very comfortable and smooth vehicle with one major exception, the transmission hesitation and lurch. When slowing down and then accelerating without stopping, there is a brief hesitation and then a jerk or lurch. I understand that Lexus has issue a Technical Service Bulletin to the dealers about this. It involves installing a software update for the transmission. The Service Rep at the dealer adised me that sometimes it makes things worse and, once installed, they cant undo it. I therefore choose not to do it at this time. Otherwise, its a very good car with many nice features as long as youre not seated in the back, poor legroom.

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  Navigation system needs update - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Timothy Rossiter - July 31 - 10:16 am

  The 2004 ES 330 is an outstanding car. The major problem and I mean major is the navigation system. It is not accurate and reads from the bottom up not top down. It is extremely annoying while driving and limits your choices while driving the car. The car must be completely stopped to change anything with the system. If you are in sales and need accuracy especially at night this is not the navigation system for you.

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  My ES 330 2005 - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By RRD - June 28 - 10:46 pm

  After 3 weeks and 700 miles the transmission had to be replaced. It seems to be a great car but I am nervous about the overall quality of the vehicle.

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  Very quiet and comfortable to drive - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Stenogrfr - April 19 - 3:56 am

  This car is very quiet, as far as road noise. Rides very smooth. However, it is hard for truckers to see you. Also, there is quite a large blind spot with this automobile.

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  Likeable but not Loveable - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By MJL - March 25 - 4:53 pm

  Ive had my ES 330 for a bit over 2 months. Traded in a 2002 Acura TL. While the Lexus has a more upscale interior (i.e. wood trim steering wheel) the handling is not nearly as nimble as the TL, nor is it as quick as the TL (notwithstanding that both cars have the same HP rating). I also find that the double-wishbone suspension of the TL makes for a slightly more comfortable highway ride that the rack & pinion ES. All in all a nice car, comfortable and competitively priced with the likes of Acura TL, Infiniti G35 and Cadillac CTS. That said, I find it a likeable car, but not a car that can be characterized as a "drivers car". Only averaging 23 mpg combined city/hwy using reqd premium.