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Review of the 2008 Lexus ES 350

2008 Lexus ES 350

Starting Price $34,120

suitable for: Diapers
School
Teens

19
City MPG

27
Hwy MPG

5 Seats
2 Rows
2 Latch Connectors
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Interior

The incredibly quiet interior of the ES 350 is a serene haven from the chaos of life with kids. The perforated leather seats are heated and air conditioned and adjust in 10 ways, including a power lumbar support. Both front seats have three memory positions, so once you set your preference, you don’t have to worry if the guys at the carwash mess with it. 

The leather on the steering wheel and gearshift is buttery soft and lovely to hold on to. One feature that never grows old for me is a power-retracting steering wheel. The wheel retracts up and away from the driver when the engine is turned off, making getting in and out a breeze. When you turn the engine back on, the wheel returns to its previous position. How helpful is that? All the controls are easily within reach, and the color touch-screen makes everything simple. Dual climate control means no fighting over the perfect temperature, and the available Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package means the soundtrack of your life happens in your own personal concert hall, even if it is just the Wiggles playing.

The backseat is roomy, with plenty of legroom for grown-up people, and it’s wide enough for three kids to buckle up without anyone getting squished. Carpool day was no hardship; even with three backpacks on the floor, everyone was happy. Perhaps the kids were just mesmerized by the giant panoramic moonroof. My test car came with two, count ‘em, two sunroofs. One, over the front seat, tilts and slides open, while the other is just for the view. Both have retractable covers so you can create shade whenever you need to. For even more weather control, a power sunshade slides up the rear window at the push of a button. Of course, when the car is put into Reverse the sunshade automatically slides out of the way for an unimpeded view. Who thinks of these things? Amazing.

shopping around: At cars.com

key interior: Features

  • Curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags
  • Cell phone pre-wiring
  • Cruise control with steering wheel controls
  • Express open/close sunroof
  • Radio steering wheel controls

available interior: Colors

  • Black
  • Cashmere
  • Light Gray

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