Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Quick Drive: 2014 Lexus ES 350

      Is the Better Lexus the Buick LaCrosse or Lexus ES 350?

    For awhile, the best Buick you could buy was a Lexus ES. Lexus was able to take the formula that Buick had worked so hard on proving a smooth and comfortable car and just do it better. But Buick is back on the upswing. The recently refreshed LaCrosse shows that Buick is back and wanting to challenge the ES on territory it once held. So which is the better model; the LaCrosse or the ES? I spent some time in the 2014 ES 350 to try answer this.

    The ES 350’s exterior looks awkward as it seems Lexus was trying to make the ES look somewhat sportier, while retaining some of the handsomeness of previous models. The front has the spindle grille with flat bars running across and a set of headlights with LEDs running along the outer edges. Around back, Lexus designers gave it upright and flat look with a new trunk lid. While the ES now has some style, it comes at the cost of looking like a bloated GS.

    Thankfully the interior avoids the awkwardness. Again, there is a bit of GS influence for the ES’ interior, but Lexus made sure to make ES a bit more inviting. That means cream leather for the seats and bamboo trim along the dash and door panels. The dashboard itself is similar to the GS with a flat face and simple layout of controls. Space-wise, the ES 350 is very impressive. Back seat passengers will find plenty of legroom and headroom. Trunk space measures out to 15.2 cubic feet, slightly larger than the Buick LaCrosse’s 13.3 cubic feet trunk.

    Lexus’ Enform infotainment system came equipped on my tester which features a new interface which makes it easier to navigate around. However, the remote touch controller is still makes controlling the system tough since you have to move it and press down on it carefully on the function you want. One wrong move and you’ll end up in a function that you didn’t want.

    Power comes from a 3.5L V6 with 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. This is paired up to a six-speed automatic. The 3.5L V6 is a perfect match for the ES as it provides smooth acceleration throughout and NVH levels that rival Buick’s LaCrosse. The six-speed automatic provided silky smooth shifts and didn’t show any signs of confusion. Fuel economy is rated at 21 City/31 Highway/24 Combined. My average landed around 23 MPG.

    On the ride and handling front, the ES 350 provides a seemingly smooth ride. The suspension makes sure potholes and road imperfections are smoothed out and don’t make their way into the cabin. One downside is the amount of road noise that come into the cabin. I put the blame on the Bridgestone tires that the ES came equipped with. Out on the curves, the ES 350 does show some sign of body roll if you push it. Keep in mind the ES 350 is meant to be a cruiser, not a curve bruiser.

    After a week with the Lexus ES 350, I think it does certain things better than the LaCrosse and vice versa. The ES 350 has a much more potent engine, better NVH levels in the engine, and a larger trunk than the LaCrosse. However, the LaCrosse is a bit more quieter, features a better infotainment control system, and looks much nicer than the ES 350.

    So which is better car? While the Lexus ES 350 is a nice improvement over previous models, the Buick LaCrosse is the better car.

    Disclaimer: Lexus Provided the ES 350, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

    Year: 2014

    Make: Lexus

    Model: ES

    Trim: 350

    Engine: 3.5L DOHC 24-valve VVT-i V6

    Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive

    Horsepower @ RPM: 268 @ 6,200

    Torque @ RPM: 248 @ 4,700

    Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/31/24

    Curb Weight: 3,549 lbs

    Location of Manufacture: Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan

    Base Price: $36,470

    As Tested Price: $43,105 (Includes $910.00 Destination Charge)

    Options:

    Hard Disk Drive Navigation with Lexus Inform: $2,625

    Luxury Package: $1,370

    High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights: $565.00

    Intuitive Parking Assist: $500.00

    Bamboo & Leather Trimmed Shift Knob and Heated Wood & Leather Trimmed Steering Wheel: $300.00

    Power Rear Sunshade: $210.00

    Rain Sensing Wipers with Deicer: $155.00


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Speaking of rail, I hope that California completes high-speed rail.  Southwest Airlines certainly doesn't like it, but it's better for the state.  And DC doesn't support it, which is no surprise.  The Big 3 (one reportedly more so) pushed streetcars and fixed route urban transit off the streets of the Los Angeles area decades ago, with a subway type system not coming back until the freakin' '90s.
    • I'd like to think that the U.S. is capable of a Renaissance of sorts.  It involves both a change in leadership and some of the negative mindsets and qualities of people living in this country, which is harder to do.
    • Sadly the world is already on board with letting the U.S. consolidate into depression, recession, failure on every front and way. As one of just many stories out there from the BBC: Firms will hesitate to invest in US after raid - South Korea president The more you read from around the world the uglier it gets: South Korea says detained Korean workers released from Georgia facility before flight home Fastest way is to have a Narcissist ignorant idiot47 and his administration be too stupid to understand that Americans do not have the knowledge to setup battery plants. Nor is the desire to get the technical degrees by most folks especially in the south based on recent education reviews of states here. So, this leaves companies to bring in temporary outside folks to get things setup so they can train those wanting to get the jobs. Yet the stupidity is so great that the $350 Billion that Korea committed to invest in the U.S. is now probably not going to happen. Presidential Chief: $350 Billion Fund Talks Stalled This is shown by Hyundai now thinking of mothballing the existing plants under construction and just keeping things as is for now. That means no $35 billion investment for Georgia, 10's of thousands of jobs and growth in the auto industry here. No this is Stagnation and death of the Auto Industry in the U.S. Ram has killed already having any type of EV and the Ramcharger EV pickup will now be a copy of what Ford did with a traditional gas truck and electrical to offer using the truck as a generator much like the F150 with pro power package were used to power homes in Texas due to the stupidity of that state leadership with a weak electrical grid. Ram's electric pickup truck is officially dead In other words, ignorant leadership brings death, and the days of the old manufacturing industrial revolution is gone and will not come back. The biggest problem is that neither political party is working for "We the People" they are clearly taking money into their own pocket and letting the 1% have their way, this will destroy what people think America is about.  Idiot47 and his lemmings have no clue about "We the People", they are stupid in understanding the constitution, willing to manipulate to break the laws for their own self entitlement gain and fail to see how they are destroying this country. While CEO Mary of GM says they are still committed to EVs, the pull back and single line manufacturing of all EV models while they invest billions in old tech is not going to save GM in the long run unless they truly make some major changes. Society will move forward, auto industry will move forward the Ford, Stellantis, and GM, America auto industry very well could become a footnote in history books by 2050, though it could get stretched out if America truly becomes a dictatorship state, then look at Russia and their old back assward country as well as Korea and how behind they are. Two 3rd world countries thinking they are 1st world and a 1st world country becoming a 3rd world country due to stupidity. South Koreans face shock and confusion after worker detentions at Georgia Hyundai plant | PBS News Hyundai plant raid: In a quiet Georgia town, the silence is deafening after nearly 500 workers were taken | CNN Here is how modern Korea was willing to go with this plant. I Visited Hyundai's New $7.6 Billion EV Factory in the US — See Inside - Business Insider   Everyone needs to strive to be like this guy, took his first sky diving to celebrate turning 100 years old. WWII veteran celebrates his 100th birthday by skydiving with his son and grandson Never say turning 60 you cannot do something. Live life every day to the fullest!
    • The UK may drive down the wrong side of the street, but ... https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=bCAcdqdqTxQ&feature=shared
    • Join me in wishing @A Horse With No Name a "slightly" belated birthday.  (I'm in another space or another place if I miss these announcements.) I hope you had a great birthday.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search