The Gazette (Montreal) (Enlarge photo)

While on the subject, the modifier "sport" - as in sport-luxury - has no business being used to define the ES either. Leave that for the Audi A4s and BMW 3 Series of the world. The ES 350 is conservative in the manner in which it transports its occupants. The car is smooth, powerful and sophisticated - words often used to describe many Lexus products. However, there is one word that can be added to luxury to describe the ES 350 - affordable. Like many automakers looking to keep sales momentum in a tight economic climate, parent Toyota has dropped the prices on the Lexus lineup - the ES 350 starts at less than $40,000, cheaper than what was then the ES 300 cost in 1995.

And that doesn't mean a stripped-down model, either. The list of standard features, modern conveniences and thoughtful... // The Gazette (Montreal)