The 2007 Lexus ES has few major competitors in its niche. A luxurious mid-size driving experience at a fair price, the ES is generous with the interior features, it’s reliable, and it rides nice and smooth. Handling could be sharper, but the objective here was clearly to trade sportiness for comfort.
Is the 2007 Lexus ES a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – A high-end, first-class driving experience in a mid-market car. The Lexus ES earned Vehicle History’s 2007 Owners Choice with good reason.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – This is about as comfortable as it gets in a mid-size. It may be a bit small to serve as a family car, but, other than that, it can compete with any big sedan for overall comfort.
- Reliability 8/10 – The engine and transmission are reliable, major repairs are few, and basic maintenance is cheaper than you might expect of a car that leans into the luxury market.
- Safety 7/10 – From category to category, crash test scores range from good to poor. But anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – At 21/30 miles to the gallon, city/highway, the Lexus ES is efficient enough for a mid-size sedan.
- Value 7/10 – The 2007 Lexus ES is priced fairly in the low $8,000 range. The question is whether or not you think any fifteen year old mid-size sedan is worth $8,000.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Lexus ES?
Consumer Reports found the Lexus ES to deliver a comfortable, luxurious driving experience at a mid-range price, offering up a big-sedan feel in a manageable size. They note that the car is fuel efficient, but not a lot of fun to drive, valuing “ride quality over handling.”
Kelley Blue Book were impressed with the ES’ generous interior features and luxurious cabin for the price. They note that the ES isn’t the most stylish car in its class, though, and it’s not as spacious as larger sedans if you’re after a family vehicle.
Edmunds liked the “strong yet quiet” engine, the first-class cabin, and the top-notch crash test scores. They note that the optional packages were overpriced on release, and that the car isn’t as powerful as some of its more affordable competitors.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Lexus ES Have?
Airbags make up close to half of the 2007 Lexus ES’ 650 total National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints, with drivers reporting melting dashboards making the front airbags potentially unsafe. This isn’t actually “melting,” but sunlight bringing plastic adhesives to the surface, making the dashboard sticky.
There are 130 vehicle speed control complaints on file, with drivers reporting sudden unintended acceleration and difficulty in bringing the car to a stop. A recall for pedal entrapment was issued in 2009, but complaints persist as late as 2019.
Engine and powertrain complaints are relatively few, but there are a few reports on file of difficulty shifting past third gear, as well as sudden jerking an deceleration. Where failure mileage has been reported it’s usually past 200,000, so these may come down to simple wear and tear.
There are 5 recalls on file for the Lexus ES, which is well within the median for vehicles of this age.
How Long Will the 2007 Lexus ES Last?
With adequate care, drivers report a typical minimum mileage of 220,000 on the original engine and transmission. You could probably pass 250,000 with excellent care, but it all comes down to how well the previous owner maintained the vehicle.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $380, with the most expensive fix being a new alternator, starting at around $909. New shocks and struts can get pricey, too, starting at around $846.
Very reliable. I have lived with this car in cold and warm climates and it has adapted well to all of them. It sometimes needs a little time to warm up in extreme cold, but all cars do. It drives well in snow and rain.
It is very reliable. Have not given me any problems aside from the regular maintenance, brakes and tires.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Lexus ES is generous for the model year. You’ve got a premium sound system with a 6-disc CD changer, iPod connectivity, and 8 speakers.
Safety features are, likewise, pretty good for 2007. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are offered as standard features.
Is the 2007 Lexus ES a Good Value?
The 2007 Lexus ES is a fair value for the price. The sedan typically lists for around $8,285. Fuel economy is decent, and repair costs are relatively low, especially for something that you might consider a luxury car.
Eight grand might be more than you care to spend on a fifteen year old sedan no matter how luxurious the cabin may be. But, if any fifteen year old sedan is worth eight thousand bucks, it’s this one.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Lexus ES?
The 2007 Lexus ES is offered in just one model, being the base ES 350. Standard features include:
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Fog lights
- Remote keyless entry
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Heated mirrors
- Cloth seating
- 10-way power adjust driver seat
- Premium 6-disc CD changer with MP3 player and 8 speakers
Rather than a series of trim levels, the ES is offered with various optional packages.
With the Premium Package you’re getting:
- Memory driver seat and steering wheel
- Leather seating
- Electrochromic exterior mirrors
The Premium Plus Package adds all that, plus:
- Rain sensing windshield wipers
- Heated and ventilated front seats
Finally, the Ultra Luxury Package adds:
- Perforated leather seating
- Wood and leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Panorama glass roof
What Engines Come In the 2007 Lexus ES?
- The 2007 Lexus ES comes packed with a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 272 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque at an average fuel economy of 21/30 miles to the gallon, city/highway. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2007 Lexus ES Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Lexus ES?
The 2007 Lexus ES is about as comfortable a mid-size sedan as you’re going to find in this price range. The back row stretches 53 inches across, the ride is incredibly smooth, the interior is first-class all the way, and the suspension has held up well over the years.
Your only concern when it comes to comfort: If you’re packing more than four adults at a time, the cabin might get a little tight. As comfortable as it may be, it’s not really a family car.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Lexus ES Have?
You’ve got 14 cubic feet of trunk space in the Lexus ES, which is pretty much dead-average in this size class. That comes out to five medium sized suitcases. It’s enough cargo space to pack pretty much anything you can reasonably expect a mid-size sedan to pack.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2007 model Lexus ES was the first in the car’s 5th Generation, which would run until the 2012 model year.
2005: 2005 was a facelift model for the ES, seeing new front ends, including a redesigned grille and headlights.
2006: There were no big changes the 4th Generation’s final model year.
2007: The 5th Generation Lexus ES debuted with the same V6, front-engine build as previous models, with a round of improvements making for a quieter cabin and a more powerful powertrain.
2008: Changes for 2008 were minor, including sleeker mirrors and improved interior lighting.
2009: The most noticeable difference for 2009 saw Lexus adding a few more exterior color options.
How Does the 2007 Lexus ES Compare to the Competition?
The 2007 Lexus ES’ stiffest competition comes in the form of the 2007 Acura TSX, a Vehicle History Owner’s Choice award winner for that model year.
You’re sacrificing some horsepower with the Acura, but the cabin experience is comparable, the Acura is a couple MPGs more efficient, and it’s a thousand dollars cheaper. If you’re looking for an affordable luxury driving experience, the ES wins on power, and the TSX wins on value.
The Chevrolet Impala is sometimes brought up as an alternative, but 2007 was a pretty lousy year for the car, with lots of expensive engine problems to worry about.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Lexus ES?
Yes! It is easy to drive, while also having some of the more advance features you want nowadays. I haven't had any issues with the car that would lead me to say it is not a good vehicle. It still performs very well even now that it is over ten years old.
Lexus is an excellent car. Very reliable and stylish. I have been driving it for 12 years and I have been happy.