2018 Lexus ES Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$38,950 to $38,950

Original MSRP

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expert review

4.7

avg user rating

(38 reviews)
2018 Lexus ES Preview summaryImage

The Lexus ES is the company’s longstanding midsize luxury sedan that has always been a sensible choice, offering the comfort and technology of the established German luxury brands, if lacking in terms of performance and ‘wow-factor’. In the current Lexus lineup, the ES sits above the sportier IS and is a more comfortable cruiser than the similarly sized GS.

The ES 350 is the volume model in the range which also includes a hybrid model, the ES 300h, covered in another preview. Built on the same platform as the Toyota Camry, the current generation ES was introduced for 2014; changes for 2018 are limited, but include a name change for the midrange model known as the Premium for 2017, now known as the Premier. The top of the range model remains known as the Ultra Luxury. The 2018 Lexus ES 350 starts at under $39,000.

Under the hood of the ES 350, buyers have no choices. They get Toyota’s familiar 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine that creates 268 hp, front-wheel drive, and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The ES 350 will manage 21 mpg city, 30 highway, and 24 combined.

The ES has been praised for having a well weighted-power steering system and handling well enough to be entertaining, if not as overtly performance-oriented as other sedans in this market segment.

The ES 350 has the same handsome, well-thought interior that drivers would expect from a Lexus, with ample backseat legroom for three. Up front, the driver’s seat is 10-way power adjustable (a 12-way version is available); all ES models come standard with synthetic leather seating, 8-inch infotainment display, dual-zone automatic climate control, and power moonroof. The Premier model adds heated and ventilated front seats,memory feature for the steering wheel and driver’s seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel, and wood-trimmed door panels. The Ultra Luxury package comes with semi-aniline leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient interior lighting.

Optional extras for the 2018 ES 350 include a 15-speaker audio system by Mark Levinson and a navigation system. Curiously, neither Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay is available; however, iPhone users can make the most of Siri Eyes Free mode.

As is the case with many luxury sedans, the Lexus ES is a solid choice for the safety-conscious. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given it five out of five stars overall in its testing. For 2017, Lexus made the Safety System+ suite of safety features standard for the ES. It includes adaptive cruise control and lane control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and intelligent high-beam headlights. If that’s not enough, the Premier package includes blind-spot monitors and parking assist feature. Subscription to the Lexus Safety Connect system, which adds emergency roadside assistance, automatic notification in the event of an accident, and a locator service in the event of theft, is also now included for a full decade.

Megan Hennessey
Published May 31, 2022 by Megan Hennessey
Megan investigates common car-buying myths and looks into ways to help shoppers manage car buying.

User reviews for 2018 Lexus ES

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User rating:
by Michael U
Dec 22, 2024
Smooth lines, exquisite styling, and sublime ride. The bullet proof engine make the car one of the best. Highly recommended. Dec 22, 2024
by Elijah O
Dec 08, 2024
Elegant sporty styling in a well designed automobile. Very nice buy.Dec 08, 2024
by Rich E
Mar 16, 2024
2018 for 19k says enough. This car is an absolute a jewel. Mar 16, 2024

2018 Lexus ES Pricing

Original MSRP
$38,950 to $38,950
Price range
$22,749 to $23,612
Average price on CG
$22,823
YoY price change
$23,050 to $22,823

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leatherette · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Drivetrain

Axle ratio: 3.46

Engine

Battery: maintenance-free

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3

In Car Entertainment

Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: tilt/slide

Safety

Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leatherette

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 14.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90

Suspension

Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation app: Scout · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse

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