Mild styling revisions distinguish the 2005 ES 330 from last year's model. The fog lamps, grille, lower intake, headlamps, and tail lamps have been revised, giving it a fresh look.
The rake of the ES 330 combined with its streaked-back headlamps make a striking statement. The front end seems to slope down in one continuous curve, from the top of the windshield, over the sculpted hood and tidy dark grille, down to the smooth air dam under the almost seamless front bumper. The headlight cluster suggests silvery eyes pulled back at the corners.
Tail lamps trimmed in silver echo the design, stretching around the corners, as if reaching to meet the headlamps. The standard nine-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels complement the styling, while the optional 17-inch alloy wheels use a six-spoke design that gives the car a sportier look. Chromed door handles are easy to grab and do not require awkwardly flipping your hand over as they do on some of the other cars in this class.
When it designed the ES, Lexus set out to make it one of the the safest cars in the class. The passenger compartment is reinforced in critical areas and front and rear crush zones are designed to crumple and help absorb the impact of a crash.
The ES 330 is based on the same platform as the Toyota Camry. The underbody is smooth, nearly flat, contributing to exceptional aerodynamic efficiency (with a coefficient of drag of just 0.28), and the car is constructed using advanced composites and resin-steel sandwiches to further minimize the intrusion of noise.
The Lexus ES 330 presents a warm, inviting interior. Rich wood trim, available in golden bird's-eye maple or red walnut goes well with the brushedaluminum-like trim. All of the trim materials exude a high-quality look and feel.
The standard steering wheel and shift lever are covered with stitched leather-trim and look very nice, and are also available in wood trim that warms up the cabin. The steering column is manually adjustable for tilt. New steering wheel-mounted controls are available that make operating the audio system much easier.
The standard leather-trimmed upholstery is quite nice and the seats are very comfortable. There's lots of front-seat legroom and hip room, though tall drivers may wish for more headroom. Optional power-adjustable pedals are useful for shorter drivers, helping them find a comfortable driving position without sitting too close to the airbag-equipped steering wheel. The seats are relatively flat, without large bolsters, making getting in and out easier. The driver's seat comes standard with 10-way power adjustments. The 2005 ES 330 gets a memory feature for the driver and passenger seats. The shape and construction of the front seats is borrowed from the flagship LS 430. Heated/ventilated front seats are a new option for 2005 models.
The driver's seat offers good visibility out front. The self-dimming outside mirrors offer a good view rearward and seem larger than those on Mercedes-Benz cars. The inside rearview mirror is self-dimming (electrochromic) and features a digital compass. The slope of the rear window doesn't allow a panoramic view, though it fills the rearview mirror. The mirror is mounted so close to the headliner that adjusting it requires an awkward grab at its bottom edge. On 2005 models, both outside mirrors automatically tilt down if desired when you shift into reverse. An optional power rear shade filters out the blazing sun, whether driving or parked, then automatically lowers whenever you shift into reverse.
The clean-looking instrument panel features three round, deeply recessed pods with highly legible optitron gauges. The instrument panel comes in a lighter silver finish for 2005 with color-coordinated light gray buttons. A large speedometer dominates the layout. A digital trip computer at the bottom of the speedometer displays range, average fuel consumption and other functions, controlled by a pair of buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. Similarly, a digital odometer with two trip odometers is displayed in the right pod with big fuel and temperature gauges. On the left is a big tachometer.
The optional navigation system is powerful, with excellent graphics and a huge database (5 million points of interest). Voice activation has been added to 2005 models. It's a good system, but requires some experience and study to master. Once mastered, however, it works well. Input an address or point of interest (restaurant, hotel, airport) and the system directs the driver verbally and visually. Pressing the Map button displays the address of wherever you are at that moment, on the fly, a great feature when looking for an address. To reduce the chance of driver distraction, the navigation system can't be programmed when the car is moving.
Audio functions are integrated into the navigation system (when so equipped) and that's a mixed blessing. To change preset radio stations, for example, you first press the Audio button to call up your presets, which is two steps replacing what takes one step on a standard radio. The good news is that the Audio button is smart: Press it when a CD is playing and you're presented with CD functions; press it when FM is playing and you get your station presets. The bad news is that the system at times left us gazing at a screen that had little or no function. After a few moments, the system automatically redisplays the dynamic map of your location, saving you from having to press the Map button.
The sound quality from the optional Mark Levinson system is fantastic, especially when a CD is playing. Combined with the sound-absorbing measures in the ES 330 cabin, it provides the audiophile with crisp, clear highs and lows and enveloping mid range. While the standard audio system is rated at 0.1 total harmonic distortion, the Mark Levinson system generates just 0.01 THD. If you like technology and music and can justify its considerable cost ($3,120), our recommendation is to spring for the navigation/Mark Levinson option. Satellite radio and a six-disc CD changer are available on 2005 models.
Thankfully, the climate control system is not integrated into the navigation system. Instead, it features separate controls below the navigation display that are clearly marked and easy to operate. It's an elegantly designed system with dual zones and nicely integrated switches for the seat heaters. A small display indicates whether the passenger airbag is enabled, though we confess we grew tired of seeing the illuminated indicators. At the top of the center dash area is a small digital clock that's straightforward and easy to set.
The center console features a split-level storage box with a power outlet, and two conveniently placed cup holders with adjustable rings. The available six-disc CD changer takes up more than half of the lower compartment. There's a purse hanger in the front passenger footwell, and two retractable coat hooks in the rear. Power windows with auto up/down with jam protection are used at all locations. Retained accessory power allows operation of the power windows and power moonroof after turning off ignition, but not the audio or navigation systems.
The rear seats are roomy, making this a comfortable car for four adults. Five is a crowd, but it'll work for short distances, like going to a restaurant, particularly if a small person is sitting in the rear center position. Overall, it's roomier and more comfortable (with more hip room and leg room) in the back seats of the Lexus ES 330 than it is in the back of a Mercedes C320 sedan. The 2005 ES 330 benefits from the addition of pre-tensioners and force limiters to the rear seatbelts, similar to those in front, which can help reduce injuries to rear passengers in an accident.
Trunk volume is comparable to the class, and considerably larger than that of the Mercedes C-Class sedans. A cargo net is available, but costs extra.
The Lexus ES 330 delivers a smooth, refined driving experience with a smooth engine and transmission, a smooth-riding suspension, smooth brakes, and extensive measures designed to reduce noise, vibration and harshness.
The engine is silky smooth and whisper quiet. The 3.3-liter V6 engine produces 225 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque and delivers responsive performance in everyday driving situations. The ES 330 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, according to Lexus. The ES 330 has an EPA City/Highway fuel economy rating of 21/29 mpg and is certified by the government as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV II).
The transmission shifts very smoothly. Upshifts in normal, everyday driving are almost invisible. Yet it delivers responsive shifts when driving aggressively. The gated shifter allows manual shifting and an indicator displays the selected gear on the instrument panel, but shifting manually is a clunky proposition due to the gates and we preferred leaving it in Drive.
The ES 330's suspension is tuned for a smooth ride. It filters out vibration and contributes to the ES 330's exceptional quiet and smoothness. The four-wheel independent strut suspension gives it precise handling with minimal body sway. The speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering has a very nice touch: light, but with good feel, effortless around town. There is very little, if any, torque steer. Overall, the ES 330 handles well, but it is tuned more for ride quality than sporty handling. Its front-wheel-drive layout and front-heavy weight distribution (61 percent front/39 percent rear) limit its cornering potential. Serious driving enthusiasts may prefer the similarly priced IS 300 with rear-wheel drive, but the IS 300 doesn't offer the smooth ride quality, amenities, and overall refinement of the ES 330. Most drivers will be happier with the ES 330. The standard 16-inch wheels come with all-season tires (215/60VR16). The ES rides very smoothly with the optional 17-inch wheels, which provide sportier handling with slightly lower profile sidewalls (215/55VR17); a choice of all-season or summer tires is available.
The optional Adaptable Variable Suspension ($620) is worthwhile for drivers interested in adjusting handling and ride quality to suit conditions or mood. The system automatically and continuously changes the shock absorber damping rate at each wheel in response to road conditions, vehicle speed, and steering and braking inputs. Overall, the system is tuned very nicely, and provides a great ride under all conditions. The driver can switch among four stiffness settings by moving a thumb wheel on the center console. The firm setting is relatively firm, but not as firm as a sports suspension: It tightens up transient response (quick lane-change maneuvers) but transmits more vibration into the cabin when driving on rough neighborhood roads; it works best when driving at high speeds or when whipping along mountain roads. The softest setting works very well at low speeds in the neighborhood, filtering out all of these undulations, and we liked using it for that, but it's on the squishy side for other conditions. The middle two settings were just right for everyday driving conditions.
The brakes are very smooth and effortless, yet sensitive. They require little effort to generate good stopping power, but are easy to modulate. In other words, it's easy to brake very smoothly in everyday driving, wrapping your passengers in a velvety experience, yet the car will stop quickly in an emergency braking situation. The ES comes standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS), which help the driver to maintain steering control in an emergency stopping situation; just remember to maintain pressure on the brake pedal and to look and steer where you want to go. It also comes standard with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which distributes braking force evenly to the tires with the best grip for excellent stability and braking performance. Brake Assist is optional, but a good idea as it helps the driver maintain maximum braking force even when he or she makes the mistake of relaxing pressure on the brake pedal when the system detects an emergency stopping situation.
Optional Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) includes traction control and Brake Assist and is integrated with ABS and EBD to help the driver maintain control of the car in slippery corners or even in dry corners when the tires lose grip. VSC retards the throttle and/or applies braking to individual wheels (something the driver cannot do) to help the car track along the path intended by the driver, and it can help drivers avoid accidents. It can help drivers avoid accidents and we recommend it highly.
The ES 330 comes in one well-equipped model ($31,975), loaded with luxury and convenience features found in higher-priced Lexus sedans.
Handsome, high-quality, leather upholstery with wood trim comes standard. Also standard are automatic dual-zone climate control with interior air filter, power windows with auto up/down and jam protection, and a power moonroof. An AM/FM/CD/cassette system comes standard with 86 watts and seven speakers.
A 240-watt Mark Levinson audio system, a six-disc CD changer, and satellite radio are optional. Other options include Vehicle Stability Control with traction control and Brake Assist ($650); Adaptive Variable Suspension ($620); DVD satellite navigation ($2,220); power-adjustable pedals with memory ($140); power rear sunshade ($210); high-intensity discharge headlamps with rain-sensing wipers ($640); heated and ventilated front seats; wood steering wheel and shift knob ($330); 17-inch wheels and tires.
As always, safety was a top priority when designing the ES 330. Standard safety equipment includes: dual front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. (Curtain airbags are very important for their ability to help provide head protection.) It comes with three-point seat belts for all five seating positions; be sure to wear them as they are your first line of defense in a crash. The front seats are designed to help reduce whiplash. The outboard rear seatbelts are fitted with force limiters and pre-tensioners. To help the driver avoid accidents in the first place, the ES 330 comes standard with anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD); the optional VSC further helps you control traction loss in turns.