The Lexus ES330 receives a nice bump in power for 2004. The engine displacement grows by about 10 percent with a nearly equal increase in torque. The result is significantly quicker acceleration, just where the model needed. 

The overall character of the mid-size Lexus hasn’t changed, however.
The company’s overall goal for the ES330 is to closely align the car with its luxury flagship, the LS430—an over-the-top luxury experience. You can call the new Lexus the tired businessman’s or woman’s express. In fact, 
I’d say that the ES330 meets or exceeds most luxury-car buyers’ expectations. The ride is sumptuous and the noise level at cruising speeds is virtually non-existent. The car defines peace and quiet in the lower end of the luxury segment. 

To enhance the car’s refinement, Lexus designers deploy several tactics
to reduce wind noise, including reshaping external mirrors, and a wind-cheating flat underbody. This plus the basic shape results in a very low coefficient of aerodynamic drag—0.28 to be exact. The ES330 also employs additional sound adsorption technology that muffles unwanted noise. And an electronically activated engine mount cancels vibrations on every power stroke. A two-stage muffler reduces exhaust booming at low speeds. If you like the bracing sound of an engine’s growl—and many drivers do—this is not your ideal choice.

On the other hand, the handling is less than inspired, even with the optional Adaptive Variable Suspension, which is supposed to give it a little more rigor. Yes, it’s my job to challenge a car’s ride and handling and in the later department, the result was less than spectacular. I particularly noticed the lack of firm control going around a sweeping curve on a twisty mountain at a fairly fast clip. It was a real whoop-tee-doo moment as I wrestled to restore equilibrium. But most buyers probably won’t notice or be bothered by the ES330’s soft handling.

Lexus has had one of the industry’s best navigation systems and for 2004 the unit is enhanced. The optional Lexus Navigation System uses a single DVD for map storage, containing the contiguous United States, plus major cities in Canada. This system includes multi-language capability and five-second route calculation. The new system features easier to understand graphics and a larger point-of-interest database (increased from 2 million to a whopping 5 million entries). The map mode shows freeway exit information, an intersection guide, upcoming exits, points of interest at the exits and a compass. The database entries for Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York display "building footprint" graphics, which shows a 3D rendering of the building in its location. This is particularly helpful in large cities where it is often hard to find street numbers hidden on the sides of buildings among the gaudy signage and other visual distractions.

I’m not dazzled with the exterior design of the Lexus ES330. It certainly seems to represent what Toyota’s rather conservative designers feel is cutting edge design. But all in all, Lexus has not found a styling groove like the European manufacturers who have discovered a common theme that unites all of their sedan designs, so you can easily recognize any Audi or Mercedes-Benz model, regardless of age or status.

Lexus, however, designs very eye-catching interiors and the ES330 is enhanced with genuine California walnut trim on the dash and door panels. Out test car was equipped with the optional Mark Levinson sound system, which is currently the state-of-the-art for automotive audio and takes full advantage of the quiet offered by the ES330’s cabin.

Safety has become a major factor in the luxury market and the ES330 is no laggard in this area. For 2004, it offers a new larger side-impact airbag that provides a greater protection area that includes the torso. A new automatic front-passenger classification system is designed to help determine whether a child or an adult occupies the front passenger seat and adjusts the air bag deployment to optimize safety.
 

Vehicle: Lexus ES330
Price as tested: $40,219
Engine:
Type: 3.3-liter V-6
Horsepower: 225 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 240 ft.-lbs. @ 3,600
Fuel economy, automatic transmission 
City – 20 mpg
Highway – 29 mpg
Curb Weight: 3,460 lbs.