2005 Lexus ES330 Test Drive

For 2005 Lexus upgraded the ES330's 3.3 liter V-6 to 225 hp and 240 lbs.ft. of torque, the latter at a lower 3400 rpm. 0-60 acceleration is now 7.5 sec. The Lexus ES330 features front-wheel-drive, a 5-speed automatic transmission, drive-by-wire throttle; revisions to the front grille and bumper, integrated fog lamps, projector beam headlamps, rear combination tail lights. A high-quality luxury car at a reasonable base price of $32,625. EPA mileage: 21/29 mpg city/highway.

First Glance

From 1956 to 1978, Detroit couldn't resist making every model larger than the one that preceded it. "Bigger and better" became an advertising cliché. Then various oil-cutback scares plus competition from the imports put an end to this absurdity. Detroit had learned its lesson and even now seems reluctant to increase exterior dimensions (SUVs excepted). The Japanese automakers, I fear, are stealing a page from the Detroit that used to be. Take the Lexus ES330, for example. A "near-luxury" car, it made its debut in 1990 as an ES250; a crisply-styled compact 4-door featuring a 2.5 liter V-6. But the company was tentative then, bringing relatively few to these shores. The first real effort at creating a junior Lexus for the US and Canada was the ES300; perfectly sized, attractively styled, sometimes fun to drive. Since then, Lexus seems to have caught the "bigger must be better" virus. This E-Lexus dwarfs that earlier ES300 and for what purpose? It may have found an inch or two of interior space (as if that mattered in a car that was already roomy enough) but in doing so, lost that cozy, cosseting feel you get in, say, an L.L. Bean fieldcoat.

In the Driver's Seat

Is it luxurious? Absolutely. Forget silly monikers like "near luxury." This is all the luxury you'll ever need, unless you're the head of a state, religion, or computer giant. In which case a chauffeur should be in your employ. Slipping into the driver's seat, as I did, instantly suggested an environment that could have been created by a collaboration between furniture maker Roche-Bobois and Microsoft. With a hint of Buick. In typical Lexus fashion, the ergonomics are excellent. Minimum of buttons and knobs; large and readable instruments; everything falls to hand. The supple cream leather is gorgeous. Real wood grows out of a handsome dash, set off by titanium accents. First thing that catches your eye, however, is the CD-based nav center, which features touch controls and voice-activated mapping. By most standards it is user-friendly and easy to read; still, I have to ask why a driver should willingly be distracted by something that most resembles the computer from which he just escaped.

On the Road

Is it quick? Should be, thanks to the addition of more horses and more torque. And yes, the 2005 Lexus ES330 takes off like a sprinter's explosion from the starting blocks. But is that enough? Colleague Colin Hefferon was in the passenger's seat, urging me to check the acceleration against highway traffic as we emerged from the tunnel under BC's Fraser River. In a similar test of last year's model he had headed into the province's mountainous interior with three hefty male passengers and found the acceleration wanting on uphill grades. With just two aboard it was difficult to make a comparison but my sense is that the increased torque has been dulled by an increase in weight. The ES330 felt heavy, not helped by a transmission that sometimes was a tad slow in kicking down. In the curves the 2005 ES330 seemed to be nicely balanced but the lack of side support in the front bucket seats prevented an analysis. Wind and road noise go unnoticed as extra sound insulation plays its part, helping to make the ES330 quiet and comfortable. I did appreciate the Mercedes-like notched gearchange, enjoyed the responsive steering, was pleased with the tight turning circle. If only those seats offered more support I could be happy here.

Journey's End

Depending on whose side you're on, defining the 2005 Lexus ES330 as a Japanese Buick could be viewed as insult or compliment. I'm on the "compliment" side. Buicks have long appealed to a corporate level just short of boardroom status, where ownership offered neighbourhood image, a pleasant environment, a relaxing ride. Unfortunately the historic GM division has had that image trampeled by marketing missteps, such as slapping the Buick badge on a hideously ugly SUV and thus leaving a wide open gap for Lexus and other quality imports. The 2005 Lexus ES330 now offers everything the Buick deserter demands, then dishes up a vehicle that, all else aside, is tight as a drum and built to last. If only it hadn't been made "bigger and better," because some refinements aside, it isn't better, just bigger. If only it had the tight dimensions of the original ES300. If only... well, you may disagree with these sentiments, so let's bring harmony to the argument by suggesting the 2005 Lexus ES330 is without question the finest Toyota Camry ever made.