2025 Lexus ES 350 F-Sport Handling - Re- Tuned, Newly Driven Review

OUTGOING ELEGANT SEDAN EFFED UP: When the chapter is written about progression of late 20th / early 21st century luxury executive sedan in America, the Lexus ES is certain to figure prominently. Not the least of reasons is that the "Elegant Sedan" sprung the "Radiant X" crossover utility vehicle, which has gone on to outsell it and become the most popular luxury model sold in the U.S..

Never quite an enthusiast's machine, the ES, nonetheless, has provided mile-upon-mile serenity sufficient to satisfy the genteel gentry.

Moot as it may be, after forty years, and with a radically evolved successor waiting in the wings, the Japanese luxury brand dropped some control enhancements into this still relevant contemplative cruiser.

Unlikely to compete on the Fuji Raceway home of the Japanese Grand Prix namesake, sexied up for customers younger than late sexagenarian, the outgoing seventh generation Elegant Sedan returns to Roadblazing.com editors so enhanced as the 2025 Lexus ES 350 F-Sport Handling.

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RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

2025 LEXUS ES 350 F-SPORT HANDLING DIFFERENCES FROM LAST TESTED 2019 LEXUS ES 350:

• F-Sport Handling Package
  • Adaptive e-variable performance damping suspension
  • Sport, Sport Plus drive modes (in addition to Eco, Normal, Custom)
• F-Sport Design elements
  • Revised front bumper, grille frame & rear trunk lid spoiler
  • 19" inch split, five-spoke gloss black allow wheels
  • F-Sport 1st Row bucket seats; Two-tone NuLuxe seating, Simulated carbon fiber, Hadori aluminum cabin accents
  • Electromechanical drive mode varying, sliding gauge cluster, G-forces display
  • Aluminum pedal covers
• full express power windows x 4
• Aluminum pedal covers

2025 LEXUS ES 350 F-SPORT HANDLING CARRIED OVER / SHARED WITH 2019 LEXUS ES 350:

Segment, Style & Finish:

• Luxury four-door executive sedan, 5 occupant seating
  • 7th generation XV70, launched in 2019 MY, built on TNGA-K platform
  • Sleek, parabolic fastback silhouette, layered flanks hood, full height Lexus spindle grille, wrap around lighting, outboard L shaped DRLs, emphatic fender flaring.

Performance:

• naturally aspirated DOHC V-6 petrol engine
• 8-speed automatic torque converter transaxle
• front wheel drive (all-wheel drive available only with 2.5L inline-4 petrol engine)
• Silky power, torque peaks late
  • rated power - 302 hp, 267 lb-ft
• 22 miles per gallon, 492 miles highway driving range
• Fully independent sport suspension + oversized vented four wheel disc brakes
• Quick ratio steering, heavy weighted resistance

Safety:

• IIHS - Top Safety Pick (2024 MY)
  • 10 SRS airbags, rear camera
  • Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 Level 1.5 advanced driver assistance
    • Blind spot warning & avoidance, Forward vehicle, pedestrian & cyclist avoidance, adaptive cruise control - full, lane tracing, rear cross traffic braking
  • Panoramic outward visibility

Comfort & Convenience:

• comfy & supportive F-Sport bucket front seats
• 2.3" Multi-information Display configurable TFT instrument cluster, including panoramic navigation map projection
• 2-zone automatic climate control, automatic heated & cooled front seats, power tilt/ telescoping steering wheel, wing mirrors, wiper de-icer
• Keyless entry, push-button ignition, Digital key (via phone app)
• Power windows, full express x 4

Infotainment:

• 12.3" Lexus Human Interface touch LCD landscape media display (in place of std. 8.0" touch screen)
  • Drive Connected cloud navigation with Google Points of Interest (by subscription)
  • "Hey Lexus" wake-up phrase intelligent voice interaction & Google query
• USB-C , 2 x Rows 1 & 2
• 10-speaker, 500 Watt Pioneer streaming audio, HD radio
• Bluetooth hands-free communication, SMS
• wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection
• Subscription features: ATT 4G Wi-Fi, Sirius XM satellite radio (90 day trial); Safety & remote connect (1 year trial); Drive Connect (3 year trial)

2025 LEXUS ES 350 F-SPORT HANDLING PRICING:

• $56,850 price, as tested 2025 LEXUS ES 350 F-SPORT HANDLING in Matador Red Mica ( Lexus ES 350 from $44,190)
• 4 years / 50,000 miles bumper to bumper; 6 years / 70,000 miles drivetrain, 2 years / 25,000 miles scheduled maintenance warranty

LIKES ABOUT THE 2025 LEXUS ES 350 F-SPORT HANDLING:

• A relatively affordable prestige executive sedan, announcing plushness and luxury amenities at every turn, with a reputation of utter reliability
• As an atmospheric V-6 powerplant the 2GR-FKS is unrivaled for mellowed touring
• Silky in-house eight-speed automatic transaxle
• Super compliant ride
• Adaptive damping in sport mode quells oscillation
• Ample steering road feel with hefty winding
• Ingot Lexus build, waft of aperture action
• Premium finish cabin accenting, generous luxury content
• Traditional knobs for audio volume, selection tuning
• Exquisite switchgear texture
• Impressive accuracy and depth from standard Pioneer audio

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2025 LEXUS ES 350 F-SPORT HANDLING:

• Not available with all-wheel drive
• Lack of low engine speed punch
• Bereft of road surface grip feel
• Still rolls in corners, dives in hard braking
• Infotainment screen lacks multi-window home page