2009 Lexus ES Review: The Most Well-Rounded and Longest-Lasting Used Luxury Sedan for 2009

The 2009 Lexus ES isn’t as fast as an Infiniti G and it’s a little pricier than an Acura TL, but it boasts one of the most comfortable cabins in its size class, and it’s built to last, with drivers reporting 300,000 miles and more on the odometer. If any 2009 sedan is worth $9,000, it’s the Lexus ES.

Is the 2009 Lexus ES a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 9/10 – Just an excellent sedan from top to bottom. Competing cars from Infiniti and Acura may be a little sportier, but the ES is built for comfort, not for speed.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – The cabin is about as comfortable as a mid-size sedan gets, and the trunk space is adequate for the size class.
• Reliability 9/10 – A Lexus is just a fancy Toyota, so you can expect the car to last 250,000 miles with basic maintenance.
• Safety 9/10 – Generous safety features and excellent crash test scores make the 2009 Lexus ES one of the safer cars in its category.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – 19/27 miles to the gallon was better than some compacts were doing back in 2009.
• Value 7/10 – Whether or not the 2009 Lexus ES is really worth $9,000 is up to the individual buyer, but if any 2009 luxury sedan is worth it, this one is.

What Do Critics Say About the 2009 Lexus ES?

Consumer Reports found the 2009 Lexus ES exceptionally comfortable, lavish, and spacious for such an manageably-sized sedan. They liked the car’s quick acceleration and lean fuel economy, but note that the car does trade agility for comfort, making it more of a cruiser than a sportster.

Kelley Blue Book praised the 2009 Lexus ES for delivering “affordable luxury” with a comfortable mid-size sedan that feels more expensive than it is. They note that the car’s body design may be considered bland by drivers looking for a more exciting ride.

Edmunds praised the Lexus ES’ “velvety smooth” V6 engine, they liked the plush ride, the cushy interior, and the good crash test scores. Their only real complaint about the ES: The optional features can get very expensive.

What Common Problems Does the 2009 Lexus ES Have?

The 2009 Lexus ES has generated 168 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vast majority of these are for the airbags, with 115 complaints pointing to airbag failure and warning lights staying on despite 4 recalls intended to address various airbag problems.

26 vehicle speed control complaints point to unintended acceleration as a recurring issue. A recall for pedal entrapment was issued in 2009, and complaints have been relatively few since then, but not unheard of.

A handful of structure complaints point to “melting dashboards.” It’s not actually melting, rather, the adhesive used in the construction is bubbling to the surface as a result of exposure to the sun, leaving a sticky film covering the dash.

The 2009 Lexus ES has been recalled 5 times in total, which is average for a vehicle of this age.

How Long Will the 2009 Lexus ES Last?

The 2009 Lexus ES is pretty much a Toyota with more luxury features added on, so it should be no surprise that it can last 250,000 to 300,000 miles with adequate maintenance. Lexus tends to be one of the longest-lasting luxury brands on the market.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $385, which is well below average for a luxury car. Camshaft replacements account for the most expensive common repairs, starting at around $3,664.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2009 Lexus ES is pretty good. You’ve got a CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers as a standard feature, and the car’s interior acoustics are excellent.

Safety technology in the 2009 Lexus ES is good for the model year. Anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control, and occupant sensing airbags all come standard.

Is the 2009 Lexus ES a Good Value?

The 2009 Lexus ES is a decent value, despite being a little pricier than some of its competitors. The ES350 typically lists for around $9,217, with fair market prices ranging from $8,109 to $9,690. If any 15+ year old luxury car is worth ten grand, it’s a Lexus.

That said, the ES’ luxury features are out of date by now, and a 2009 Camry can be had for around $6,500. So you may find yourself wondering if the luxury version of a mid-size 2009 Toyota is really worth the extra cash at this point.

What are the Different Models of the 2009 Lexus ES?

The 2009 Lexus ES is offered in a single trim level, with standard features including:

• 10-way power adjust driver seat
• Cloth seating
• Remote keyless entry
• Steering wheel mounted cruise and audio controls
• CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers and 6-disc CD changer
• Anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control
• Heated mirrors

What Engines Come In the 2009 Lexus ES?

• The 2009 Lexus ES packs a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 272 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 19/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway. The ES can hit zero to sixty in 6.5 seconds.

What Colors Does the 2009 Lexus ES Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2009 Lexus ES?

The 2009 Lexus ES is as comfortable as it gets in a mid-size sedan. You’ve got 55 inches of hip room, ample space for your legs and head, smooth riding suspension and a whisper-quiet cabin. There are really no complaints to be made in this department.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 Lexus ES Have?

The 2009 Lexus ES packs 15 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk, which isn’t bad for a medium sedan from this model year. You might find yourself making more frequent stops on long road trips than you would in a full size, but the ES will pack 5 or 6 medium suitcases no problem.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2009 was the third model year for the 5th Generation for the Lexus ES. The 5th Gen launched in 2007 and retired in 2012.

2007: The 5th Generation ES launched with a 272 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, and a re-engineered cabin focused on limiting road noise.

2008: Exterior mirrors were redesigned for 2008, and interior lights were made a little more efficient.

2009: No big changes for 2009, but the car got some new exterior color options.

2010: New front ends featured sleeker headlights and grilles, a new bumper, and chrome body side moldings.

2011: A host of minor updates included new navigation software, some new Bluetooth features, and some extra buttons for the steering controls.

How Does the 2009 Lexus ES Compare to the Competition?

The 2009 Lexus ES holds a 2009 Vehicle History Owner’s Choice award, so of course it’s getting high recommendations here. But, the Acura TL and the Infiniti G are both worth considering if you’re after a moderately priced, sporty used luxury car.

Crunching the numbers, the Infiniti G37 delivers up to 330 horsepower compared to 272 for the Lexus, and 305 for the Acura. The Acura TL is the most affordable of the three, starting at just under $8,000, and the Lexus boasts the longest life expectancy with drivers regularly reporting 300,000 miles on the original transmission.

You can’t really go wrong with any of these options, but if you have to pick one based on the numbers alone, you’ll probably get an extra 50,000 miles out of the Lexus, and that, quite literally, goes a long way.

Do Owners Recommend the 2009 Lexus ES?