Lexus ES 330 Model Overview

During the fourth generation of ES sedans, Lexus replaced the 3.0 with a 3.3 liter V-6 engine, and thus the ES 300 became the 330.  The ES had undergone a total redesign 2002, in the ongoing effort to widen that gap between the Lexus and its Toyota counterpart, the Camry.  While still built of the Camry platform, the ES had been fitted with a more unique exterior, providing the sedan with a bolder look.  Also, the arrival of the new IS series relieved the ES of its entry-level status, and Lexus used the opportunity to build to ES into a vehicle more closely aligned with its GS and LS kin.  The ES 330 also received a minor facelift in 2005.
The new 3.3 liter V-6 provide the ES with 225 horsepower, up from 200.  Torque was also boosted to 240 pound-feet.  Performance improvements were again marginal.  The 0 to 60 time dropped to 8.2 seconds, down from 8.6, and the quarter mile time snuck just under sixteen.  Fuel economy held in the same range at 20/29 mpg.  During the 330's run, Lexus also introduced Variable Valve Timing + intelligence technology.  VVT+i was borrowed from Toyota, and not only increased performance, but also improved fuel economy and lowered emissions.  A five-speed automatic transmission replaced the four-speed during this time.
Despite incremental power increases, the ES was unable to reestablish sports sedan status.  Mercedes and BMW competition left it too far behind.  ES owners had found the sedan to reliable and comfortable, and that was enough to keep it amongst the top-selling Lexus models.  The ES had only been recently replaced as the top seller by the new crossover RX 300 SUV, which was built from the same Camry/ES platform.