- Refined 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine
- Comfortable, compliant ride
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- High quality interior fit and finish
- Steering lacks feel
- Lacks driver involvement
- Awkward foot-operated park brake
- Centre rear seat lacks padding
Review: Lexus XV30.I ES 300 (2001-04)
Overview
Released in October 2001, the Lexus XV30 Series I (XV30.I) ES was a mid-size sedan. Manufactured in Kyushu, Japan, the front-wheel drive Lexus XV30 ES range consisted of the ES 300 which was powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
1MZ-FE engine
The 3.0-litre 1MZ-FE V6 petrol engine had a deep-skirt aluminium alloy cylinder block, a forged crankshaft, sintered and forged connecting rods, aluminium alloy pistons, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing (‘VVT-i’) and a compression ratio of 10.5:1.
Dimensions
Compared to the XV30 Camry with which it shared its platform, the XV30 ES was 50 mm longer (at 4855 mm), 15 mm wider (1810 mm) and 40 mm lower (1455 mm); wheelbase length, however, was unchanged (2720 mm). Furthermore, the ES 300 had a kerb weight of 1583 kg and a drag coefficient of 0.28 Cd.
Suspension
The ES 300 had MacPherson strut front suspension with L-shaped lower arms, and independent MacPherson strut rear suspension with dual links.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300 | 3.0-litre petrol V6 (1MZ-FE) | 5sp auto | 158 kW at 5800 rpm | 299 Nm at 4400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the ES 300 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Brakes
The ES 300 had 296 mm by 28 mm ventilated front brake discs with twin-piston floating calipers and 269 mm by 12 mm solid rear discs with single-piston floating calipers.
Features: Lexus ES 300
Standard features for the Lexus ES 300 included 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 Bridgestone Turanza tyres, a seven speaker sound system with a CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation, leather seats, power adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a powered rear blind, moonroof, trip computer and an immobiliser. Although satellite navigation was officially standard, it could be omitted for a lower purchase price.
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Review: Lexus XV30.II ES 300 (2004-05)
Overview
Released in August 2004, the XV30 Series II (XV30.II) ES 300 featured improved safety equipment, a minor facelift and improved equipment levels. Visually, the XV30.II ES 300 could be identified by its new radiator grille with five horizontal bars, twin-pocket headlamps with projector-type low beam lights, front air intake, round fog lights, new rear tail-lights and chrome rear garnish.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300 | 3.0-litre petrol V6 (1MZ-FE) | 5sp auto | 158 kW at 5800 rpm | 299 Nm at 4400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to its predecessor, the XV30.II ES 300 was fitted with two-stage front airbags; the rear outboard seatbelts were also fitted with pretensioners and load limiters.
Features: ES 300
Standard features for the Lexus XV30.II ES 300 were extended to include perforated leather seat trim, front seats with heating and cooling functions, memory settings for the driver’s seat and door mirrors, automatically dipping mirrors when reversing, steering wheel audio controls and an electrochromatic (anti-glare) rear view mirror.
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