2013 Lexus ES
While long the best selling car in the Lexus line-up, the ES has not only had to compete with other entry-level luxury sedans, it’s also had to stay a few notches above the increasingly lavish Toyota Camry on which it was based. Well, now it’s time for an all-new ES, with a new dimension, and some electrifying new hardware. Let’s drive the result!
It’s hard to believe that the 2013 Lexus ES is the 6th generation of the brands entry-level luxury stalwart. And, while it has evolved greatly over the years, never before has it seen such substantial change, as it is now based on the stretched Camry chassis of the upcoming full-size Toyota Avalon. That means a much bigger interior, with over 4-inches of added legroom for the back seat.
While it’s true the Camry itself has gotten more refined and luxurious over the years, it simply can’t match the level of material quality or options you can get in the ES, like a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, semi-aniline leather on the dash, along with Birdseye Maple or Bamboo wood trim. Navigation is not standard, but if you opt for it, inputs are by a much improved, second generation of Lexus’ remote touch system.
NuLuxe fake leather is standard, but most cars will come fitted with the real thing covering very comfortable seat padding. 10 airbags and Lexus Safety Connect are standard, but not a backup monitor. Hi-tech safety options include Lane Departure Alert, Rear Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Trunk capacity is 15.2 cubic feet, while the ES hybrid holds 20% less to make room for its battery. That’s right, after recently dropping the HS hybrid from the line-up Lexus has added a hybrid to the ES family, the ES 300h.
Styling is mostly the same for both the standard 350 and the 300h sedans, with a more aggressive look clearly aimed at decreasing the average ES buyer’s age. The front end is wider, nicely incorporating the Lexus family spindle grille, as well as lots of sharp lines. While the new ES is bigger in every dimension, overall length comes in just 1.6-inches longer at 192.7. There are lots of aero aids throughout, including on the door frames and tail lights. The hybrid adds rear spoiler and a hidden exhaust outlet, replacing the ES 350’s dual exhaust setup.
Powering the ES 300h is the Camry’s 2.5-liter I4-based hybrid system that delivers out 200-horsepower through a CVT transmission. The mainstream ES 350 uses a carryover 3.5-liter V6 that sends its 268-horsepower, along with 248 pound feet of torque through a 6-speed automatic. Both feature a Drive Mode selector with Normal, Sport, and Eco modes, with an EV setting for the hybrid.
The ES 350’s Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 21-City and 31-Highway, a slight bump over last year. While The ES 300h hybrid comes in at 40-City and 39-Highway giving the 300h an Energy Impact Score that’s about as good as it gets with annual oil consumption of just 8.2-barrels per year and only 3.7 tons of yearly CO2 emissions.
There’s a reason many of us use “quiet as a Lexus” when describing ultra-quiet cars, and indeed not much has changed there. But what has changed, is the ES350 has gotten a tiny bit more dynamic, but not at the risk of sacrificing any of the silkiness or extreme comfort that the brand is known for. Think smooth and easy, just like Lionel Richie.
Suspension set-up consists of MacPherson struts up front and dual-link struts in the rear, and the ES remains front wheel drive only. Ride quality is plush, as the ES, unlike the recently revamped GS, makes no pretentions of being a sport sedan; it’s all about wrapping the driver in solid comfort and luxury. Electric Power Steering feels natural and a tad quicker than before. The driving experience of the hybrid is exactly the same, and we put it on par with the Infinti M for power-train smoothness. It’s very pleasant to drive, save for some uncharacteristic- for Lexus-engine noise. Power feels every bit as strong as the V6 too, where a nice hit of electric motor torque gets you up and going.
Pricing for the 2013 Lexus ES 350 is actually down a bit from last year, however, starting at $36,995 for the ES 350. The ES 300h hybrid goes for $39,745 or $2,750 more than the V6. You can tell designers put a lot of effort into making sure the 2013 Lexus ES lands well ahead of its rivals. It is a much better ES, one that should keep current owners happy, as well as attract new ones. With it no-compromise-on-luxury interior, and the addition of a very well executed hybrid, the new ES is a two-pronged approach that will spark plenty of sales.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.5-liter V6
- Horsepower: 268
- Torque: 248 lb-ft.
- EPA: 21 mpg city/ 31 mpg highway
2024 Hyundai Sonata
Updated Sonata Continues To Deliver
Comfort and room to roam used to be core elements for attracting buyers to midsize family sedans. But thanks to SUVs, that’s not enough these days. Now, luxury, tech integration, performance, fuel economy, and even all-wheel drive have become must have sedan ingredients. And one more, value. So, let’s see if the latest Hyundai Sonata gives us all a lesson in chemistry.
The seventh-generation Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan has been on the road since 2020, and as usually happens when vehicles approach the end of their lifecycle, this 2024 Sonata gets a makeover to keep the looks fresh and electronics current until an all-new one arrives.
Standard tech includes a crystal-clear 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Both are now combined into one wide curved housing similar to what we’ve seen from BMW and other luxury brands. This required a complete dash overhaul; a big interior change you can’t miss. Top Limited trim ups the game with navigation, leather seating, 12-speaker Bose premium sound, head-up display, and sunroof. It’s quite roomy inside, though maybe not quite as spacious or as comfy as some rivals with newer designs. On the other hand, rear seat legroom is very generous with long distance comfort.
There are three powertrain choices. The base front-wheel-drive SEL works with a 191-horsepower, naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I4. And for 2024, you can now add all-wheel drive to it for $1,500. The sporty N Line puts a turbocharger onto that 2.5 which boosts output to 290 horsepower, but it remains front-wheel-drive only, as does this Hybrid. The Hybrid is 2.0-liter I4 based with a 39-kW electric motor that combine for an output of 192 horsepower.
The real draw with the Hybrid is fuel economy of course, and the Government Ratings are 44 City, 51 Highway, and 47 Combined. We manage just 42.7 mpg of Regular in our driving loop, but that’s still slightly better than in our recent tests of both the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid. And it earns a much better than average Energy Impact Score, using 6.3 barrels of oil yearly, with 3.1 tons of CO2 emissions.
Minimal body roll and light steering had us whipping in and out of the cones with a surprising amount of speed.
The price for that great fuel economy was paid at our test track with a slow roll to 60 of 8.0-seconds. There was no sense of urgency off the line, and while the engine sounded like it was really working hard, numbers on the speedometer were slow to climb. That meter was reading only 89 mph after 16.0 seconds as we crossed the quarter-mile. On a much more positive note, the Sonata Hybrid’s true six-speed automatic transmission provides a much more enjoyable experience than competitor’s CVTs.
And the experience in our handling course was positive too; minimal body roll and light steering had us whipping in and out of the cones with a surprising amount of speed. We didn’t experience much in the way of oversteer or understeer, and stability systems stayed out of the way. In our panic braking runs, the pedal was soft, and we could really hear the ABS working overtime, but stops were straight and fade free, averaging a fine 114 feet from 60 mph.
The Sonata has always attempted to set itself apart when it comes to exterior design. That meant an awkwardly shaped “Digital Pulse Cascading” grille when this gen debuted; we much prefer the more traditional and sportier take of this update. The rear fascia also gets revised, looking both sportier and more upscale at the same time, with wide H-themed lighting to accentuate the Sonata’s width.
Pricing starts with the SEL at $28,650; adding the hybrid powertrain boosts it to $31,950, Limited comes exclusively with the hybrid engine and tops the lineup at $38,350.
Hyundai’s long-time formula for success, delivering more for less and tacking on a longer warranty than rivals, has done a great job of getting them where they are today. The 2024 Hyundai Sonata’s high value, impressive powertrain options, which now include all-wheel drive, and better than average driving dynamics, will ensure they stay a major player in the midsize sedan segment for years to come.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 2.0-liter I4
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Horsepower: 192
- Torque: 151 lb-ft.
- EPA: 44 City | 51 Highway | 47 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 8.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 16.0 seconds at 89 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 114 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 42.7 mpg (Regular)