2012 Lexus ES 350 Review and Performance Comparison

Lexus ES Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is a powered by a Petrol V 6. This variant of the Lexus ES 350 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out around 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Black Edition R35.

This particular Lexus ES has a 3456cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Lexus Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 6's include the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The ES shares its Petrol V 6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2024 Maserati GT2 Stradale.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the ES's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1610 kgs (3549 lbs) places the Lexus ES 350 in a similar weight category as the 2024 Audi A3 S3 Sedan and the excellent 2024 BMW 1 Series M135 xDrive, give or take 50kg.

The Lexus ES shares the same bhp with the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 3456cc 24 valve, V 6 engine produces around 268 bhp (199 kW) @ 6200 rpm which is comparable to the 2024 Toyota Yaris GR (276 bhp) and also the 2023 Toyota Supra GR 2.0 (255 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 6 throws out 248 lb-ft (336.2 Nm) @ 4700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2023 BYD Seal Design (266 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2012 Lexus ES in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1993 Aston-Martin DB7 3.2 V6 (191.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus ES.

The Lexus ES has a power to weight ratio of 166.4 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2012 ES 350 means you're competing with the 1993 Aston-Martin DB7 3.2 V6 (191.4 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 1986 Ferrari Mondial 3.2l V8 (191.4 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Lexus ES 350 generates around 154.0 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra (178.8 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (178.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Lexus ES 350 can accelerate 0–60mph in 7.10 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 7.3 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Lexus ES 350 include the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs).

The V 6 engine of the Lexus ES 350 ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) and the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Lexus ES 350 and the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2012 Lexus ES can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.95 secs with a trap speed around 91.1 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (14.96 seconds @ 91.0 mph) and a close race between the Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (14.96 seconds @ 91.0 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2012 version of the Lexus ES 350 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 ES equals the Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2012 Lexus ES 350 then there's the slightly slower the Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (129 mph) or how about the impressive Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 (129 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2012 ES Rivals List.
• 2012 ES: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Lexus
• Compare the 2012 Lexus ES