 What's up, you guys? Welcome back to another one. If you're new to the channel, I am Gold Pony, adding new car chalk SUV reviews on YouTube. And today we are in the brand new 2023 Lexus ES 350 courtesy of Bobby Ray, how Lexus and mechanicsburg PA for more information on their inventory. Please feel free to check out the link in the description box below. And so we are in this one today because there are actually plenty of changes for the 2023 ES 350. Not only that, this is probably the most reliable luxury sedan built, probably in existence. So that is pretty impressive. Just take a look at Consumer Reports Magazine for that. But ultimately in this video we will be testing out and going over everything about this one from acceleration to braking, steering feel, ride quality, sound system, exhaust clip, all that fun stuff. So having said all that, what do you guys say? Let's just go ahead and jump right into it. And as always, let's start with pricing. And so as you can imagine, there are several different trim levels for the ES 350. First one being the base starting at $42,490, luxury for $47,660, ultra luxury for $51,280, F Sport design for $47,075. In case you're curious what the heck that is, that is a new trim level for 2023. So we'll get more into that as the video goes on. But then the F Sport handling for $48,950. But regardless of trim level that you go with, power plant on the ES 350 is going to be the same. Powering the beast is a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6, putting out 302 horsepower, 267 pound-feet of torque. Power is going to be sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, which we will be testing out here in a little bit. Zero to 60 time, approximately 6.6 seconds. Top speed, in case you were interested, 131 miles per hour with MPG numbers coming in at 22 in the city, 32 on the highway, taking regular, unleaded fuel. But before we do any kind of fun acceleration or paddle shifter tests here in the ES 350, I did want to mention the drive modes. And so there's going to be a little stalk kind of a shooting out just above the gauges on the right side. It's kind of a interesting placement. I always say that for the Lexus drive modes, but I will say it is kind of in your line of vision. So I guess for that reason it's not too bad, but drive modes will include Eco, Normal, Sport. And if you go with one of the F Sport trims, you will get Sport Plus as well. So ultimately adjusting things like the shift points, throttle response, and the steering sensitivity. And so now having got all of that out of the way, what do you guys say? Let's go ahead and find a straightaway. Let's put the paddle shifters to the test first just to see how quickly they are going to react for us here. All right, you guys. So before we do this paddle shifter test, I did just put it in sport driving mode. It did adjust the digital gauges to a kind of a white and red hue. And we'll get more to those in a second here. But I am going to put the shifter all the way to the back and to the left. That is going to give me full manual shifting kind of full control over the shifting and the gears there. So having said that, we found her straightaway here and the air is blasting. Let's turn that down. Third gear, second gear, first gear. Let's test it. Oh, we're spinning. Big time spinning. Okay, there is a slight delay. Honestly, it's not bad. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. But there's a slight delay to the paddle shifters. I'm thinking most people are not going to be using the paddle shifters in an ES anyways, but they are available to do some engine braking maybe when it's snowing out so you don't have to actually hit the brakes and we're sliding off the road. So they're there for that reason. And honestly, they were bad. They're just definitely not the quickest paddle shifters that we've ever experienced. And we'll also say the quality of the paddle shifters is definitely quite nice as well. A lot of manufacturers will use a cheap matte black plastic for the paddle shifters, but these actually feel like a high quality paddle shifter. So we'll say that. I do like that. But now let's go ahead and find one more straightaway. Let's put the acceleration here to the test with the ES having full control. And let's see how quickly this thing is going to get us up to speed. And actually, here's our straightaway right now. Let's go ahead and come to a standstill in three, two, one. Don't slip. Little slip. It's definitely plenty quick though. I like it. Yeah, definitely not going to have any issues in marching on to the highway. Like I said, all that power being sent to the front wheels though, that is something I probably change. I wish Toyota slash Lexus would add an all wheel drive availability to the ES 350. Now we'll say if you wanted the ES and you just maybe wanted that all wheel drive 100%, there is the ES 250. So you got that availability. I just wish they would have put the all wheel drive on the more powerful engine setup because that is really where you need it quite honestly. So that is a little bit of constructive criticism. I would have loved to have seen all wheel drive availability on this thing just because there's a little bit of slippage. But again, having said that, you're 100% not going to have any issues merging out to the highway. This thing is plenty quick. Anyways, to go along with that acceleration as always, braking is equally important. So upfront, you will find 12 inch ventilated front discs at the back, 11.1 inch solid rear discs. As far as that six easier stopping distance goes, it's going to differ slightly. 119 feet for all of the trim levels, but the F sport handling, S sport handling is actually going to put you at 114 feet. Honestly, both of those numbers are ridiculously impressive. A lot of times for sedans, you're usually going to get in the 120s, usually around mid 120s. So anything in the one teens is 100% on point without a doubt. So as far as braking feel goes since it's fine. Yeah, it's definitely not the firmest braking feel, but it's not a soft braking feel like you would typically find in SUVs either. So it's pretty much right where the ES350 should be. So I definitely don't have any issues there. I'm going to put it back in normal driving mode there. But now let's go ahead and touch on suspension and handling a little bit upfront. You're going to get an independent McPherson strut front suspension in the back independent multi-link rear suspension. Front stabilizer bar is going to come standard. If you go with the F sport handling, you're going to get front and rear stabilizer bar. So a little bit of differentiation there. But also with that F sport handling, that is going to add an addition to that since it is F sport handling, you're going to get an F sport tuned adaptive variable suspension with performance damper. So I love adaptive variable suspensions. Essentially monitors each shock individually, not only adjusting to the road imperfections, giving you a smoother ride, but also tightening up the suspension during heavy cornering. So a little better handling there as well. So like I said, like it says in the actual name of it, so that is definitely going to be your smoothest ride and better handling as well. If you were to go with that specific trim level. But having said that, I think the ride quality is perfectly fine. As expected, we are driving a Lexus. You just get better ride quality with the F sport handling. But this is perfectly fine. I have no issues with this whatsoever. Steering feel. One of the first things I noticed Lexus typically does an amazing job with their steering feels, not as heavy as the IS 350, but still plenty heavy steering feel, which I personally prefer. It's definitely not a loose steering feel. So I am perfectly fine with what they did with that. Touching on cabin noise. I'm driving right now. You guys could probably tell there isn't a whole lot of exterior wind noise whatsoever. We're even road noise coming into the cabin. So quite honestly, cabin noise is driving like a luxury vehicle. I just put it that way. And touching on visibility as this Ford comes up on my butt, I can see perfectly fine out the back. So that is definitely not going to be any issues. Brainsensing windshield wipers though, we're going to come standard on the luxury trim level and up. They're actually going to be optional on that base trim level as well. And there is going to be a 10.2 inch head-up display for the ultra luxury. And essentially that is going to be optional on all the other trim levels, but that pretty much rounds out the performance segment of this review, you guys. Let's now go ahead and take a look at the exterior of our brand new 2023 Lexus ES 350. All right. So here she is, you guys, the new 2023 Lexus ES 350 finished in cloudburst gray. If you were curious where this one is made, since the wind starts with the number five, this one is actually built in the US, specifically Kentucky. So do want to mention that to go ahead and get started here, but new F-sport design trim for 2023. Let me actually start with that. Essentially that gives you all the aggressive looks that the F-sport traditionally has given you, but without the performance aspect of it. So without the adaptive damping suspension and the other performance aspect. So do want to mention that if you want the F-sport looks without the added handling, there is an F-sport design trim for 2023. So that's going to change that up for you. But as always, let's go ahead and start up front here. Lexus spindle front grille, of course, coming standard. You do have the chrome surrounds to that front grille as well. At least if you go with the non F-sport trims, if you go with the F-sport trims, you're going to get some dark chrome surrounds. So I did want to mention that front air curtains down to the bottom corners, helping direct air around the wheel and tire combination. Of course, you will also get a unique grille design with a unique front fascia for the F-sport trims. Like I was just saying there, a little more aggressive appearance up front to the sides by LED headlights do come standard for every single trim level across the board. They will get LED daytime running lights as well. And the automatic feature, meaning when it starts to get dark at night, those headlights will turn on automatically for you there. Automatic high beams though, also coming standard. So if you have your high beams on at night and it senses a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, it's going to automatically bounce that back to low beams. Then when that vehicle is gone, it's going to automatically bounce it back up to high beams then. So that is pretty convenient as well. But anyways, that pretty much rounds out the front end of the ES. Let's now go ahead and make our way to the side. All right. So now since you are around to the side of this one chrome windows surrounds, of course, we'll come standard. We'll also though get some F-sport badging on the front fenders. Of course, if you go with one of those F-sport trim levels, take a look at the side mirrors, they are body colored slash gloss black side mirrors. So kind of a two tone finish there, but they will be heated. And if you go with any of the trim levels, but the base, they will actually also be power folding then as well. So that is pretty cool. But then take a look at the wheel setup. They of course will differ 17 inch alloys coming with the base, 18 inch alloys coming with the luxury and ultra luxury. And then 19 inch gloss black alloys are going to come with those F-sport trim levels. So very good side looking profile here. Let's now go ahead and make our way to the back. All right. So now since we are around to the back of this one, all the way to the top, body colored shark fin antenna, just below that rear spoiler for the F-sport. Otherwise, it's going to be optional for $200. So that is what you guys of course are looking at right now. You do have some ES 350 badging back there on the trunk itself. Of course, you will actually get LED tail lights coming standard. So big fan of that as well. Just below it all. I love this look. You guys integrated dual exhaust outlets into that rear bumper surrounded by satin chrome tips. So having said that, I do believe you guys know what we have to do next as always here is that exhaust clip. All right. So now since we are around to the back of the ES, when it comes to opening that rear trunk, it is a power trunk. If you were to go with the ultra luxury. And by the way, that comes with a kick sensor as well. So it's a hands free power trunk. So that's even better. But anyways, once opened up cargo capacity comes in at 13.9 cubic feet. LED cargo lighting also coming back there. So not just the regular halogen bulbs, but LEDs. So that's pretty cool. Do you have a couple grocery bag hooks back there? There is some chrome plated tie down anchors. This is stuff that you typically find on SUVs, but not usually on sedan. So I want to emphasize that if you were to lift up then underneath of that cargo floor, you are going to find a spare tire and all of those tools, of course. But one thing is though, the rear seats don't fall down, but there is a pastor. So if you had like some two by fours or some skis, maybe I don't know, but you could probably put that through the pastor. So I did want to mention that. But anyways, then make our way up to the rear legroom that is going to come in at 39.2 inches for reference. I mean, even six feet tall. This is how much space I have back there. Rear ventilation does come standard dual rear USB charging ports as well. But not only that, there's also a 12 volt power outlet back there, which you don't usually find on sedan. So I just did want to emphasize that power rear sunshades coming then with the luxury and ultra luxury trim levels. And of course, as well, you have the samurai sword door handles that Lexus is now known for, which I am a big fan of. So did like that as well. But so then making our way up to the front seats, 10 way power adjustable front seats do come standard 14 way power adjustable front seats coming with the luxury and ultra luxury then new lux finishes is going to come with the base and F sport trim levels quilted leather, however, it's going to come with the luxury and ultra luxury trims heated and ventilated front seats for the luxury trim level and up and that's going to be optional on the base memory settings then coming with the luxury trim level and up and again optional on the base and that's for up to three different drivers. In case you were curious there, we have that F sport bolstered seats then for the F sport trim levels, of course, and these are the most comfortable seats in existence, the F sport seats that is not necessarily the ones we have today. Although I will say the ones we have today are quite comfortable, but the F sport seats I've always said this are better than any other seats in existence. So didn't want to mention that. Anyways, let's take a look at the steering wheel is tilt and telescoping and is finished in a new lux finish. But there is a wood slash leather finish kind of a combination for the luxury and ultra luxury trim level. So what did I mention that and it will be heated. Again, if you go with the luxury or ultra luxury and it is optional on the other trims like we have today. So I do have the heated steering wheel on right now because it is in the 30s today here in Pennsylvania. So it's cold, man. But anyways, they make our way to the startup. Let me start by showing you guys the key here. You got your Lexus logo on the one side. Then when you flip it over lock unlock and the button to pop the power trunk there. But it is essentially all keyless entry with a push button start. So all I'm going to do here is simply put my foot on the brake and press that silver engine start button located just by the driver's right knee. And so when it comes to the gauges, Lexus always does an amazing job with the gauges. I will say that. So you kind of have this F sport style gauges and they do adjust dependent upon the drive mode that you put it in as I mentioned earlier. So if I would have put it in eco driving mode, it's going to kind of give me some of those blue hues. If I would have put it in normal, it's kind of going to be black and white. Then if I would have put it in sport, it's going to be white and red and very bold kind of numbers there. So it definitely will change up dependent upon the drive made that you put it in. And of course you can display other things as well. There are steering wheel mounting controls found on the left side of the steering wheel. Gives you different things like your radio settings or safety information when you need your next oil change. How many miles you'll have left until you hit empty. There's of course your digital speedometer up there as well. So that pretty much has everything you could possibly want on the digital portion of the gauges then. But then make your way to overall interior quality. Power Mooner is going to come standard on all trim levels. Dual zone climate control also standard on all trim levels. Wireless phone charger coming with the luxury trim level and up. Optional on the base is going to be located directly behind the shifter there. Wood trim is going to be found on the luxury and ultra luxury trim levels. And again optional on some of the other trims. We do actually have that. It's found on the doors as well as kind of just behind the infotainment screen. So I'm a big fan of that. Ambient lighting, luxury and ultra luxury. Going to be optional on some of the other trim levels there. You got the samurai sword door handles of course as I was just mentioning to you guys. I absolutely love those. Just to the right of the shifter you do have dual cup holders. I like the finish around the cup holders in the shifter as well. So it's not just a regular matte black plastic. There's some design to it. So I'm a big fan of that. Within the center armrest you have a 12 volt power outlet, two phone charging ports and a decent amount of space in there as well. So as expected interior quality is 100% perfectly fine. Also like kind of that it's dual color. So going up the A pillar here you have the black finishes and then when you get to the upper portion you got the light finish. So I like that. It's different. You don't usually see that. You also have home light control throughout the three different garage doors found just underneath of that rear view mirror as well. So again overall interior quality was perfectly fine but it gets even better for the infotainment screen because there is some new features for this infotainment. So 8-inch color touchscreen display is going to come standard on all trim levels but the ultra luxury. Now we don't have that one. We have a 12.3-inch color touchscreen display that is going to come on the ultra luxury but it's going to be optional on actually all other trim levels. So we do have that option and it is stinking cool because one of the new features is uh you can say hey Lexus what do you want to do turn on the radio turning on the radio that's pretty cool. I know Mercedes-Benz has had that for a while. You say hey Mercedes but I like that Lexus now has that because that was pretty cool. You saw how easy that was. You could better focus your attention on driving and all you need to do is talk to the freaking system. So I like that. Anyways Bluetooth and audio streaming of course Android Auto Apple CarPlay as well. You can check out some of your car statistics up there. You can adjust your climate control information up there. Of course there is a factory navigation system that comes standard with this screen. You also get some weather information up there as well and you can check out your radio information and it makes that little noise when you change things up as you guys can probably hear but radio information touching on the sound systems here you get 10 speakers for all trim levels across the board but you guys are probably wondering what about the Mark Levinson sound system that is optional and it is pretty insane. So 17 speaker Mark Levinson sound system is available with 1800 watts. That is absolutely ridiculous. We don't have that sound system though unfortunately we got the 10 speakers so let's go ahead and turn on the radio see what we got playing today and let's test out the 10 speaker sound system that we have with us here today. All right couple things. Obviously the Mark Levinson sound system is absolutely amazing but for the size of the ES those 10 speakers did a damn good job. Plenty of bass plenty of clarity. Obviously for me personally I would be perfectly fine with that. The 10 speakers but having said that I've heard the Mark Levinson before that's just absolutely amazing but the 10 speaker really isn't that bad that's dang good as well. Honestly it is. Test it out. Anyways last thing I want to mention to you guys on the infotainment screen is when you do put the ES in reverse you will find a rear view camera of course coming standard across the board but there is also a panoramic view monitor giving you that bird's eye view that is going to come on the ultra luxury trim levels letting you know what is completely all around you which is always is going to lead us into safety. Let's sort of start the ES is an IIHS top safety pick plus which by the way is the very highest designation given by IIHS that pretty much says it all right there. Front side side current airbags do come standard driver and passenger knee airbags as well. In the back you're going to have latch aka lower anchors to tethers to children for the rear car seats, rear child door locks, temperature monitoring system but also coming standard Lexus safety system 2.5. This is going to include a pre-collision system with the pedestrian detection, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, dynamic radar cruise control, the automatic high beams I mentioned earlier and a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert letting you know who is in your blind spot but the luxury and ultra luxury trim levels are going to add in addition to that intuitive parking assist and automatic braking then as well. So ultimately when it comes to my final thoughts here of the ES you got the incredible reliability. I don't think I said it yet but my dad actually had an ES he took a 200,000 miles and then he traded in nothing was even wrong with it at that point so it definitely is going to last you a long time if you wanted to. The Mark Levenson sound system like I said is honestly among the best but the 10-speaker sound system that we had today is incredible as well so both sound systems are great I love that. F-sport seats are the most comfortable seats in existence we didn't have them today but I do want to just mention that because it is the truth as far as room for improvement goes the rear seats don't fold down which is kind of a bummer so if you're maybe buying a big screen TV from Best Buy or something and you needed them to you might just have to buy maybe a Lexus GX or something like that instead but anyways also the all-wheel drive that would just absolutely crush it on the 350 if they put all-wheel drive on the 350 that would just sell the living crap out of this thing I'm just saying because there's a lot of power being sent to the front wheels if they put all that power to all wheels not only would it increase that zero to 60 time it would also provide a lot of driver confidence here in Pennsylvania because it does snow quite often so don't want to throw that out there but anyways that is about it for this one you guys thank you so much for watching feel free to follow me on social media at the bottom of the screen if you want to see what's coming next on the channel before it gets to YouTube be sure to hit the subscribe but the bell notification button if you're in a new car reviews that is what we do here on this channel after all do appreciate you guys watching more than you know and I will see you guys all in the next video stay gold