Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus ES 350 vs. Acura TLX vs. Infiniti Q50 vs. Lincoln MKZ vs. Buick Lacrosse

Posted by Kevin on March 6th, 2019

Motor Trend has produced a curious comparison — an on-paper head-to-head with the new Lexus ES 350 versus the Acura TLX, Infiniti Q50, Lincoln MKZ, and Buick Lacrosse:

After a week in the Lexus I understand why the ES continues to outsell these four competitors by between 40 and 212 percent (Q50 and LaCrosse), and why its rate of sales decrease year-over-year was less than half what the others suffered from 2017 to 2018.

It’s a faithful automotive valet—solicitous, never argumentative, seen but not heard. Toss in a strong record for reliability and resale value, and what non-car enthusiast could resist?

So in a consumer-focused Big Test focusing on packaging, safety, reliability, refinement, and the like, I boldly predict that Lexus would grab the gold. Second place might be hotly contested by a heavily optioned 300-hp Q50 Luxe AWD and Acura TLX SH-AWD. I see a Lincoln MKZ 3.0 Reserve II AWD finishing a close third and Buick’s LaCrosse Avenir AWD bringing up the rear.

ComparisonsLexus ES: Sixth Generation
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Comments
J
Published 0-60 time 6 the gen ES300h was 8.1s, but the 2019 es300h brochure does not mention 0-60 time.
J
Published 0-60 time 6 the gen ES300h was 8.1s, but the 2019 es300h brochure does not mention 0-60 time.
J
Also does any one know if the ESh get the predictive hybrid tech like the UX has?
J
Also does any one know if the ESh get the predictive hybrid tech like the UX has?
Gecko
F Sport in Black looks really sharp:

Gecko
F Sport in Black looks really sharp:

M
^
That does look good from the outside. Inside is completely opposite especially with that bright red tacky leather.
M
^
That does look good from the outside. Inside is completely opposite especially with that bright red tacky leather.
krew
  • krew
    krew
  • September 21, 2018
krew

Video: Matt Farah Reviews the 2019 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT
[​IMG]

"The most comfortable, refined modern car I've driven."
View the original article post
krew
  • krew
    krew
  • September 21, 2018
krew

Video: Matt Farah Reviews the 2019 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT
[​IMG]

"The most comfortable, refined modern car I've driven."
View the original article post
S
The 7ES is indeed, the most comfortable car I've ever sat in, period. Been in the 3LS and the Crown Majesta before, some say these are the best luxobarge but they are so soft I want to puke in the rear seats. I also don't like the completely isolated feel of the old school Toyota luxobarges. Sampled a ES300h, very good ride quality and surprisingly good driving dynamics in class. The 5 series L is a boat, E-class L feels big and unwieldy (very hard to park), and A6L is hard as a rock. The ES gives confidence and I'm certain these low resistance tyres are sufficient for any spirited driving on normal roads. Power is a bit lacking and I hope it had the power-optimized FKS version instead of the FXS. It definitely feels underpowered if you are used to the 2GR V6. Also the hybrid system is a bit lazy in giving electric boost, it comes on instantly but not in a fierce manner I would expect from a hybrid. It almost gives an impression it's slower than a Corolla Hybrid, which has a very aggressive boost deployment strategy, in the city. But I guess that's the compromise to make acceleration less jerky.
S
The 7ES is indeed, the most comfortable car I've ever sat in, period. Been in the 3LS and the Crown Majesta before, some say these are the best luxobarge but they are so soft I want to puke in the rear seats. I also don't like the completely isolated feel of the old school Toyota luxobarges. Sampled a ES300h, very good ride quality and surprisingly good driving dynamics in class. The 5 series L is a boat, E-class L feels big and unwieldy (very hard to park), and A6L is hard as a rock. The ES gives confidence and I'm certain these low resistance tyres are sufficient for any spirited driving on normal roads. Power is a bit lacking and I hope it had the power-optimized FKS version instead of the FXS. It definitely feels underpowered if you are used to the 2GR V6. Also the hybrid system is a bit lazy in giving electric boost, it comes on instantly but not in a fierce manner I would expect from a hybrid. It almost gives an impression it's slower than a Corolla Hybrid, which has a very aggressive boost deployment strategy, in the city. But I guess that's the compromise to make acceleration less jerky.
ThePenguin
Awesome! I've always enjoyed Matt's videos and it's nice to hear him compliment the ES so much. I'm really impressed with this new F-Sport :thumbsup:
ThePenguin
Awesome! I've always enjoyed Matt's videos and it's nice to hear him compliment the ES so much. I'm really impressed with this new F-Sport :thumbsup:
zeusus
Always love MotoMan TV reviews and here here is on the new ES, lots of good things to say.



zeusus
Always love MotoMan TV reviews and here here is on the new ES, lots of good things to say.



maiaramdan
Don't know, I still have mixed feelings towards the ES, maybe something change after adding the AWD
maiaramdan
Don't know, I still have mixed feelings towards the ES, maybe something change after adding the AWD
CIF
  • CIF
    CIF
  • September 21, 2018
So far now multiple reviews have commended the ride quality, with some saying it's better than the 6ES (including on bad roads apparently). This is very impressive to hear, given that the 7ES also has improved handling. I guess it's to be expected though. TNGA platforms are such a massive step forward in so many ways. It also makes sense from a physics point of view. Given how stiff, strong and rigid the TNGA platforms all are, that allows great flexibility in overall shock and spring design, setup, compliance and tuning.
CIF
  • CIF
    CIF
  • September 21, 2018
So far now multiple reviews have commended the ride quality, with some saying it's better than the 6ES (including on bad roads apparently). This is very impressive to hear, given that the 7ES also has improved handling. I guess it's to be expected though. TNGA platforms are such a massive step forward in so many ways. It also makes sense from a physics point of view. Given how stiff, strong and rigid the TNGA platforms all are, that allows great flexibility in overall shock and spring design, setup, compliance and tuning.
S
krew
krew

Video: Matt Farah Reviews the 2019 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT
[​IMG]


View the original article post
he is not exactly taking it slowly, is he :)
S
krew
krew

Video: Matt Farah Reviews the 2019 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT
[​IMG]


View the original article post
he is not exactly taking it slowly, is he :)
Gecko
spwolf
he is not exactly taking it slowly, is he :)
Crazy to see an ES being driven more like an IS 350... there are some points where you can really see how fast he is going - and how well the car is taking it. Super impressive!
Gecko
spwolf
he is not exactly taking it slowly, is he :)
Crazy to see an ES being driven more like an IS 350... there are some points where you can really see how fast he is going - and how well the car is taking it. Super impressive!
S
Gecko
Crazy to see an ES being driven more like an IS 350... there are some points where you can really see how fast he is going - and how well the car is taking it. Super impressive!
he got a little bit confused with gear selection being the max gear, not the current gear... but i know that is something people did not like when it was changed in... was it GS? In the end, setting max gear is actually more useful in traditional automatic, in most cases.
S
Gecko
Crazy to see an ES being driven more like an IS 350... there are some points where you can really see how fast he is going - and how well the car is taking it. Super impressive!
he got a little bit confused with gear selection being the max gear, not the current gear... but i know that is something people did not like when it was changed in... was it GS? In the end, setting max gear is actually more useful in traditional automatic, in most cases.
M


Good review.
M


Good review.
Will1991
The seats are quite a looker... I want to try them just for the experience.
Will1991
The seats are quite a looker... I want to try them just for the experience.

W