2002 Lexus ES300

Everybody remembers going to school with one particularly shy, mousy somebody who shows up at your 10-year reunion transformed into a successful, confident knockout. The 2002 Lexus ES300 reminds me of that late bloomer. Although some surely found the previous ES300 to be lovely, elegant and luxurious, it never moved me, especially in the looks department. Nice, but prone to disappear. Its 2002 remake changes all that. Just as you were likely to ogle at the reunion, “Who is that?”, the new ES300 sparks a momentary “What is that?” every time I see it. A very good sign. But the changes for 2002 aren’t all cosmetic, as you’ll see here. The Good News
There are many highlights here, but the best news is the ES300’s stunning new style. Available only in four doors, it is as pretty as a coupe and prettier than comparable sedans from most of its competitors. In fact, it will likely even catch the eye of those disposed towards more expensive rides.

Adding a nudge in that direction is its increased size. Based on the new Toyota Camry platform, the ES300’s dimensions encroach on the upper class Mercedes E-class and BMW 5-series sedans. While only a tad longer than before, it is almost 2.5 inches taller with wheelbase stretched to 107.1 inches. Best of all, these changes afford noticeably more room inside for heads, shoulders and hips (front and back seats), as well as two more cubic feet of trunk space.

The ES300’s new slick shape and raked hood are not all for show, however. The aerodynamic slant also helps cut wind noise and improve the hush inside, a Lexus hallmark that only gets better. This whisper is a fitting complement to a cabin rich with luxuries. Lexus buyers expect real pampering and they get it here in fabric (lush leather), impeccable finish and, in my case, a boatload of gadgets. Fancy, fancy.

Under the hood is a buttery smooth 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 producing 210 horses and wasting 0-60 in 8.1 seconds, says Lexus. That makes it a hair quicker than its predecessor. It is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission unique to Lexus that doles out the power effortlessly.

Indeed, “effortless” applies to most every aspect of this ES300’s performance. Despite its rather menacing new design, the personality remains thoroughly compliant. Sport defers to luxury, spirit bows to insulating driver and passengers from anything remotely unpleasant. It’s a pussycat.

As a nod to more enthusiastic intentions, however, there is the $620 option that allows you to adjust the suspension to one of four settings ranging from sport to comfort. While it’s a nice gesture, I found the sport setting much too abrupt and the others somewhat vague. Leave this ES300 to its own suspension adjustments, I say, and you get the best ride of all.

The Bad News
Any grousing about this Lexus likely stems from the fact I had just gotten out of a Volkswagen Beetle I adore for its pared-down, yet perfectly satisfying, simplicity. By comparison, the ES300 comes off as a bewildering array of overcomplicated systems I didn’t need or want. Even something as basic as wiping mist off the windshield is programmed beyond my control. I hate this.

I’m sure once you master the owner’s manual, the ES300 becomes like this fabulous personal valet, ready to respond to your every whim with comfort and convenience. And I know all your friends are really, really impressed with all the touch-screen graphics, blinking maps and stuff. But for short –termers like me, such electronic overkill only adds up to irritation.

Besides, the Beetle had heated seats. This $40,000 Lexus did not.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 21 mpg city/29 highway. Noteworthy economy despite increased muscle and weight.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $31,505;
Price as tested, $40,655

Is it worth it?
Running up the price on my test vehicle quickly was (among other things) $1,700 for all-season tires and chrome wheels and almost $5,000 worth of leather trim and navigation/audio system that included both in-dash and in-console CD changers. Like I said, overkill.

But responsiveness, roominess, luxury and looks combine for this ES300’s winning hand, and you don’t have to ante up the extra $8,000 or so to get those. They come standard and provide this new ES300 with considerable ammunition for its price.

Having shelved the entry-level uniform for head-turning fashion, this ES300 struts into the class of 2002 a winner. Like that shy adolescent-turned-bomb, here’s betting it draws a crowd like never before.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.