2012 Lexus ES Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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What do you get when you build a luxury car based on the Toyota Camry? Exactly what you’d think. As milquetoast as the Camry has always been, it’s also been a dependable, competent vehicle offering adequate performance, ultimate reliability and continually increasing efficiency. What it won’t do is inspire hooligan antics on twisty back roads or a spirited run between the lights. Take a Camry, add some luxury features and upgraded materials, and you’ve got the Lexus ES 350.
The ES 350 comes in a single trim, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 6-speed shiftable automatic. With 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, the ES 350 scoots away from a stop with plenty of rapidity, making the 60-mph sprint in just over 7 seconds despite its nearly 4,000-pound curb weight. Some vibration is noticeable at idle, but at any other engine speed the 3.5 is smooth and quiet, even when pushed on the highway. Any reluctance to downshift can be mitigated easily via the manual shift gate, and the setup will still return an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city/28 highway.
The suspension really illustrates the character of both the ES 350 and the Camry it’s based on. Ultimate comfort is the ultimate concern, even to the point of sacrificing performance. If you want to make sure your ride is never hampered by ripples or potholes, the ES 350 will give you exactly that. If some sporty performance is what you’re after in a luxury car, it’s best to look to competitors like the Acura TL or the Buick LaCrosse. That’s right – a Buick is sportier than this Lexus. The world has turned on its head. This wouldn’t be a problem if Lexus had gotten it right, but the ES 350 tends toward wallowing at highway speeds, especially when larger dips and crests are covered, and the steering is almost wholly numb with regard to road input. Braking is similar, with a spongy feel in the pedal, although thankfully with no similar penalty to actual performance.
Still, luxury is the highlight here, and the interior materials and features don’t disappoint, with wood trim and grained, padded surfaces throughout. While the options list will fast make the price climb, the standard list is extensive. Dual-zone automatic climate controls, a 6-CD changer with USB, satellite and Bluetooth and a full power package including 10-way front bucket seats, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, heated power mirrors with integrated signals and keyless access and start. There’s also a power sunroof and a memory system that covers the mirrors, driver’s seat and steering wheel. Leather is a given and wraps the multi-function steering wheel as well.
Safety isn’t ignored either, with traction and stability control, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, assisted antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and 10 standard airbags including front knee and curtain-side.
The options are extensive however, with adaptive xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control with pre-collision, heated and ventilated front seats, and upgraded leather available. You can add features like a panoramic sunroof, navigation with real-time traffic and a hard drive, and even additional safety features like parking sensors, a back-up camera and the Lexus Enform telematics system. If the standard stereo isn’t enough for you, a Mark Levinson 14-speaker stereo can be purchased, too.
Published May 31, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2012 Lexus ES
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Anonymous
Aug 02, 2022
Good car overall runs good its quiet and looks good not badAug 02, 2022
by bernard j
Mar 22, 2022
My view on the 2012 Lexus is an excellent automobile !Mar 22, 2022
by David J
Dec 05, 2021
2012 last year of that body style. (very reliable no bugs) Smooth riding and comfortable for long road trips. This is not a car for twisty back roads, but I knew that going in. I expect to get at least 100k out of the car. Dec 05, 2021
User rating:
by Anonymous
Aug 02, 2022
Good car overall runs good its quiet and looks good not badAug 02, 2022
by bernard j
Mar 22, 2022
My view on the 2012 Lexus is an excellent automobile !Mar 22, 2022
by David J
Dec 05, 2021
2012 last year of that body style. (very reliable no bugs) Smooth riding and comfortable for long road trips. This is not a car for twisty back roads, but I knew that going in. I expect to get at least 100k out of the car. Dec 05, 2021
by Anonymous
Apr 07, 2021
This is the 2nd time that I have owned a Lexus ES350. It is the best driving car in the world. I love it.Apr 07, 2021
by Cory W
Mar 22, 2021
Eventho its only been 4 days. I like the smooth ride and the interior. Mileage is great for a 12. Still had to get a smog n registered but overall they cleaned it but it was a few things not explained Mar 22, 2021
by Vasant D
Oct 21, 2020
It is a good car with V 6. Engine and drives well but the price is little high
It also needs alignment and detailing as there are some dings , scratches on the body
For a little better price I would have bought it
Little high mileage too
If the price was at jeast $ 1200 less. Would have bought it Oct 21, 2020
by Phillip G
Sep 06, 2020
Over price, but it has all the bells and whistles Sep 06, 2020
by Anonymous
Aug 12, 2020
Car”s mileage questionable .
Processed stopped due to that fact.Aug 12, 2020
by Andrew B
Apr 15, 2015
Sure...the Lexus is a luxury car! No secret here!!
So if youre looking for power and comfort in a good looking car... you got it.
That said, youre going to sacrifice gas mileage and you clearly wont be able to park in small spaces on some side street downtown, and thats the choice you make.Apr 15, 2015
by Anonymous
Oct 08, 2012
This ES 350 Lexus is easy to handle, has a smooth ride and gets attention! The heated leather bucket seats are so comfortable and the leather/wood trim steering wheel is great to the touch. Two of the best features are the moon/sun roof and the bluetooth.Oct 08, 2012
What users have asked
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2012 Lexus ES Pricing
Original MSRP
$36,725 to $36,725Price range
$11,228 to $12,090Average price on CG
$11,644YoY price change
$12,090 to $11,644Trims & 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 · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Mark Levinson · Mark Levinson premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 14
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Center console trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather and wood · Steering wheel trim: leather and wood
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: accessory hook · Sunshade: rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.68
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Mirror color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Enform
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close · Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Auto height adjusting shoulder belts: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed · Ventilated: front
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Accident Avoidence Systems: pre-collision safety system
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.0 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.2
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): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing