The engine is silky smooth and whisper quiet. The 3.3-liter V6 engine produces 225 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque and delivers responsive performance in everyday driving situations. The ES 330 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, according to Lexus. The ES 330 has an EPA City/Highway fuel economy rating of 21/29 mpg and is certified by the government as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV II).

The transmission shifts very smoothly. Upshifts in normal, everyday driving are almost invisible. Yet it delivers responsive shifts when driving aggressively. The gated shifter allows manual shifting and an indicator displays the selected gear on the instrument panel, but shifting manually is a clunky proposition due to the gates and we preferred leaving it in Drive.

The ES 330's suspension is tuned for a smooth ride. It filters out vibration and contributes to the ES 330's exceptional quiet and smoothness. The four-wheel independent strut suspension gives it precise handling with minimal body sway. The speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering has a very nice touch: light, but with good feel, effortless around town. There is very little, if any, torque steer. Overall, the ES 330 handles well, but it is tuned more for ride quality than sporty handling. Its front-wheel-drive layout and front-heavy weight distribution (61 percent front/39 percent rear) limit its cornering potential. Serious driving enthusiasts may prefer the similarly priced IS 300 with rear-wheel drive, but the IS 300 doesn't offer the smooth ride quality, amenities, and overall refinement of the ES 330. Most drivers will be happier with the ES 330. The standard 16-inch wheels come with all-season tires (215/60VR16). The ES rides very smoothly with the optional 17-inch wheels, which provide sportier handling with slightly lower profile sidewalls (215/55VR17); a choice of all-season or summer tires is available.

The optional Adaptable Variable Suspension ($620) is worthwhile for drivers interested in adjusting handling and ride quality to suit conditions or mood. The system automatically and continuously changes the shock absorber damping rate at each wheel in response to road conditions, vehicle speed, and steering and braking inputs. Overall, the system is tuned very nicely, and provides a great ride under all conditions. The driver can switch among four stiffness settings by moving a thumb wheel on the center console. The firm setting is relatively firm, but not as firm as a sports suspension: It tightens up transient response (quick lane-change maneuvers) but transmits more vibration into the cabin when driving on rough neighborhood roads; it works best when driving at high speeds or when whipping along mountain roads. The softest setting works very well at low speeds in the neighborhood, filtering out all of these undulations, and we liked using it for that, but it's on the squishy side for other conditions. The middle two settings were just right for everyday driving conditions.

The brakes are very smooth and effortless, yet sensitive. They require little effort to generate good stopping power, but are easy to modulate. In other words, it's easy to brake very smoothly in everyday driving, wrapping your passengers in a velvety experience, yet the car will stop quickly in an emergency braking situation. The ES comes standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS), which help the driver to maintain steering control in an emergency stopping situation; just remember to maintain pressure on the brake pedal and to look and steer where you want to go. It also comes standard with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which distributes braking force evenly to the tires with the best grip for excellent stability and braking performance. Brake Assist is optional, but a good idea as it helps the driver maintain maximum braking force even when he or she makes the mistake of relaxing pressure on the brake pedal when the system detects an emergency stopping situation.

Optional Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) includes traction control and Brake Assist and is integrated with ABS and EBD to help the driver maintain control of the car in slippery corners or even in dry corners when the tires lose grip. VSC retards the throttle and/or applies braking to individual wheels (something the driver cannot do) to help the car track along the path intended by the driver, and it can help drivers avoid accidents. It can help drivers avoid accidents and we recommend it highly.