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.