What’s it up against?
This one’s tough to answer: The ES doesn’t really have many direct rivals aside from the Ford Fusion-based Lincoln MKZ, the Cadillac CTS , the Acura TL and the Volvo S80 since the segment is all-but ignored by the default German luxury carmakers – and even those four really take on different roles.
The redesigned MKZ has a capable chassis and a nice V6, but it trails the competition in terms of interior appointments. The CTS has wowed us over and over by being so, well, un-GM, but its rear-wheel-drive sportiness might turn some shoppers off. The controversial TL abandoned its conservative roots for 2009, but like the ES, it offers a lot for the money. The S80, also fresh off a makeover for 2010, might be the ES 350′s most direct rival thanks to its sophisticated and quiet demeanor, but we’d be surprised if there’s truly much cross-shopping between the two brands.
Any breakthroughs?
Lots of luxe for the cash – that’s the ES’ promise. You won’t find much that’s truly groundbreaking, but you will find the coddling of the larger LS in a less expensive package.
See also:
Correct driving posture
Drive in a good posture as follows:
1. Sit upright and well back in
the seat.
2. Adjust the position of the seat
forward or backward to
ensure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed t ...
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the parking brake pedal
with your left foot while
depressing the brake pedal with
your right foot.
(Depressing the pedal again
releases the parking brak ...
Seat position memory (front passenger’s seat)
Your preferred front passenger seat position can be memorized and recalled with the touch of a button.
Two different seat positions can be entered into memory.
Entering a position to memory ...