2002 Lexus ES300 Review – The Outstanding Luxury Lexus You’ll Love
If you’re looking for a luxurious, comfortable car that is perfect for every occasion, the 2002 Lexus ES300 is the perfect choice. With superior quality and features, this car will make you feel like you’re in a more expensive wherever you go. Whether you’re cruising down the freeway or out on a date night, this car will make you feel like a million bucks, just for a few thousand.
When the 2002 Lexus ES300 was launched, it made the other manufacturers of luxury vehicles stand up and take note. It offered considerable increases in interior space, well-defined and quality fittings, and technological innovations supported by a very refined and quiet ride.
The 2002 launch of the Lexus ES300 was a lesson in business disruption. With the 4th generation, the company converted the previous entry-level model ES300 into a vehicle that actively challenged its competition. This fact was born out in the first year’s sales figures almost doubling.
The History Of The Lexus ES300
The Lexus ES300 was first launched in 1989 as an entry-level Lexus, which is the luxury car division of Toyota.
The 2002 model of the Lexus ES300 was the first year of the fourth generation which included a complete redesign of the vehicle. At the same time, Lexus introduced the luxury-sports IS sedan, which replaced the ES300 as the entry-level car and allowed the company to reposition the Lexus ES300 as a more upmarket model.
The 4th generation was designed with a more aerodynamic shape and reduced the drag coefficient to 0.28.
The Lexus ES300 was rebadged in Japan as the “Windom,” launched in Japan in August 2001.
The Lexus ES300 is still produced and sold in the US. It has proven a valuable platform for the company as between 1989 and 2020; the company has sold over 1,6 million vehicles in North America alone.
When the Lexus ES300 was launched in 2002, the sales volume almost doubled from 44.847 units in 2001 to 71,450 units in 2002.
Apart from a few years, the annual sales have trended around the 2002 increase.
What Is The 2002 Lexus ES300 All About?
The Lexus ES300 is a mid-sized, four-door luxury sedan that successfully competes with well-known German brands.
The 2002 Lexus ES300 was positioned distinctly more upmarket than the previous generations.
Every reviewer commentated about the upmarket move and was generally complimentary about the resultant car.
Its main competition was.
- 2002 Mercedes C Class.
- 2002 BMW 330i.
The 2002 Lexus ES300 is longer, wider, and higher than its competitors, translating to more room for the occupants.
| Dimension | 2002 Lexus ES300 | 2002 Mercedes C Class | 2002 BMW 330i |
| Length | 191.1 in | 178.3 in | 176.0 in |
| Width | 71.3 in | 68.0 in | 68.5 in |
| Height | 57.3 in | 55.1 in | 55.7 in |
What Is The 2002 Lexus ES300 Like To Drive?
Lexus worked very hard to build the Toyota reputation of solid reliability and nowhere is this more apparent than the structural solidity and quietness of the ride.
The subframes are isolated by rubber and effectively separate the cabin from the engine and suspension vibration. In terms of NVH (Noise, vibration, and harshness) scores, the Lexus ES300 took the game straight to its German competitors.
Cars fitted with the adaptive variable suspension could switch on an even higher level of quietness by varying the shock damping rates based on surface conditions, vehicle speed, driver steering, brake inputs, and body movement.
The steering is precise and responsive, with the turn rates being adjusted according to speed.
The 2002 Lexus ESS300 is stopped by brake discs installed on each wheel.
The 2002 Lexus ES300 does not offer the same performance levels as its bigger engine competitors, but it also cannot be described as being a slouch.
With a 0-6pmph acceleration time of 8.15 sec, it easily remains with the traffic and is faster than most SUVs of the day.
The MPG around town is 18 miles per gallon, and the highway is 27 miles per gallon, meaning the fuel consumption falls in the middle of the Merced and BMW competitors.
- 2002 Mercedes C Class – Town 17 MPG, Highway 26 MPG
- 2002 BMW 330i – Town 19 MPG, Highway 26 MPG
The traction control is standard.
The Interior Of The 2002 Lexus ES300
The interior is a tastefully conservative design that is almost flawlessly executed.
It has California walnut trim embalmed in a cranberry/raspberry stain on the steering wheel, dashboard, center console, and doors.
The wood trim is accented by leather upholstery on the seats, the bottom half of the dashboard and doors, and bright chrome door handles. These trims make the car be precisely as it was aimed to be, which is cosseting and luxurious.
The one criticism of the 2002 Lexus ES300 was the number of optional features rather than standard. These included.
- A power rear sunshade.
- A navigation system.
- Mark Levinson premium audio
- Dual-zone climate control.
- Two-level heated seats.
The pockets in the back of the front seats are hidden behind a rigid panel that’s gently curved and covered to match the seat leather. Previously you only found this level of detail in vehicles with higher price points.
The increased length over its competitors (The Mercedes and BMW are almost 1 foot shorter) translates into a roomier interior and excellent trunk space.
There is sufficient room to pamper 5 adults over long trips.
Safety equipment includes.
- Two-stage front airbags can be adjusted depending on the driver’s distance from the steering wheel.
- Pre-tensioning seatbelts
- Side-impact bags for front passengers
- Inflatable curtains against all side windows.
- The vehicle Skid Control system (VSC) helps the driver maintain control in a skid or slide.
The 2002 Lexus ES300 Engine
The only engine offered on the 2002 Lexus ES300 was 3.0L DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing.
It is based on the equivalent Toyota Camry unit; however, it has been developed to provide an incredibly smooth 210 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque.
The throttle is activated by a drive-by-wire unit that obtains instructions for the central computer unit to deliver noticeably crisper responses while lowering the emissions.
The 2002 Lexus ES300 engine uses variable valve timing technology and a redesigned exhaust system that reduces noise at certain engine speeds. A three-stage variable intake system optimizes fuel consumption and improves the torque curve.
The engine’s power is transferred to the road via a five-speed automatic gearbox which delivers power very smoothly.
Having five gears closer to each other than the previous four-speed box makes acceleration crisper on more accessible.
The engine is in the2002 Lexus ES300 and produces an ultra-smooth performance that matches its role as a luxurious cruiser. It’s still the smoothest, most unobtrusive engine available in its class.
| Model | Engine | 0-60 mph time | Horsepower | Top Speed |
| 2002 Lexus ES300 | 3.0L V-6 | 8.1 | 210 @ 5,100 RPM | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
| 2002 Mercedes C Class | 2.6L V-6 | 8.5 | 168 @ 5,500 RPM | 140 mph (225 km/h |
| 2002 BMW 330i | 3.0: I-6 | 6.2 | 225 @5,900 RPM | 154 mph (248 km/h) |
What Will You Pay For A 2002 Lexus ES300?
The table below includes the MSRP for the 2002 Lexus ES300 and its competitors.
| Model | Year | New MSRP | Current 2nd Hand Value |
| Lexus ES300 | 2002 | $31,505 | $7,995 |
| Mercedes C Class | 2002 | $30,550 | $7,995 |
| BMW 330i | 2002 | $33,990 | $8,995 |
Owners’ response to the 2002 Lexus ES200 is positive, and most people comment about its quality finishes and reliability.
Our Verdict on the 2002 Lexus ES300
The 2002 Lexus ES300 proved something of a dream for Lexus and Toyota. The initial launch reviews were overwhelmingly positive, but in its first year, it blew out the sales target by almost 50%.
The combination of highly refined quality, luxury, technological innovations, interior room, and reasonable power made the 2002 Lexus ES300 highly desired.
