What do you all think of this comparison?

In my opinion, these cars are the best versions of themselves. Newer ES models were way too heavy on tech and lost the build quality earlier ones were known for. This generation was perfect. Great features, awesome looking inside and out. Very smooth, very quiet, and has enough power.

What can you say about the 3rd gen TL? I loved it ever since I saw it the first time. The lines running across the body make it stand out much more than any other car! The inside is luxury but not a lot of tech garbage that we don't need in cars! Killer sound system and engine makes a beautiful sound! I LOVE the leather that Acura put in these. I could rub my hands across the seats all day!

09-14 are so ugly and I don't like the inside. Not much else to say there.

I also love how XM radio is built into the unit. If I went with the 330, I'd have to get a tacky little unit installed and it would look bad.

Reliability wise, I would think the ES gets the nod if we're talking 350-400k trouble-free miles. I know the transmission issues were before the refresh of the TL so I wouldn't be too worried. I just think that Lexus overall produced slightly more reliable cars from this time period than Acura, in terms of total cost of repairs/maintenance.

Talk about a tough decision. I was leaning toward the 330 (the 04... engine upgrade but the 05-06 has the nasty mustard wood trim that is disgusting to look at and I'm not a fan of black seats and red wood) until I drove an 07 TL yesterday that had 72k miles. I had so much fun driving it I didn't want to give it back! I couldn't stop looking at it either!

What do you all think? I get it's an Acura forum, but please try not to be too biased.

 

I have actually driven both, the ES being an 05 (currently own an 08 TL-S). I appreciated the ES for what it was, but I do agree that the build quality was lost a bit in newer models. Drove smoothly and the tech wasn't bad; though tech isn't a huge thing for me personally. Interesting point on leather as I actually would lean towards Toyota's more than Honda's; OEM leather in the 3G's aren't great to be honest. Still nice enough though. As far as performance is concerned, I felt the ES had a respectable amount of power for what it was. The 3G is definitely beefier in performance IMO, especially if you opt for a Type-S and even more so if you snag a 6MT. In all honesty I would say it comes down to personal preference between the two and what you aim to get out of a car. They're both great daily drivers.

 

We have both vehicles. 05es330. And 06 base. The Acura is sportier. The es has more torque. Both are hiway queens. The Toyota product is better quality all around including the service from the manufacturer. You can't go wrong with either, I prefer the TL driving experience, but the Lexus owner experience.

 

QFT

 

Don't know if the ES has the same dash cracking issue as the TL. I think both would be reliable drivers, the Lexus may have a slight edge but it really comes down to driver preference. I've been looking around for new vehicles to replace my 08 TLS when the time comes, but I like the TLS so much that may be several more years down the road.

 

Wow. My first post here. Here goes.

I went for the TL and after 4400 miles... I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The TL fits my wants and needs. It comes down to personal preferences. If you got in a 07 and loved it... I don't think you'll feel the same way about the ES. Not saying you'll hate the ES... but you might not like it as much as the TL. I've had my 07 Base for around 2 months now and I've done around 4400 miles. If you have any questions from a new owner's POV, don't hesitate to ask.

 

My wife had an 04 ES330 and an 07 ES350 and I had and am still driving an 08 TL-S. Being that I am driving a TL-S, it is also different from a straight TL comparison.
The driving experience is the biggest differentiator. The Mrs.called both of the ES's, "the cloud." and were very soft, comfortable and provided a quiet ride. In the TL, you are more connected to the road and get a lot more "feedback" (brakes, tires, steering, noise) As others have mentioned the Lexus dealer experience is quite enjoyable but also can be pretty pricey as well. All have plenty of get up an go, but the TL is quicker and in my opinion more stable - meaning less float. Braking in the TL was much better.

As mentioned above - the driving experience is the differentiator. What are you looking for? I personally didn't feel comfortable driving the ES's hard as they didn't feel safe. This is not to say that they aren't safe - but do drive very differently.
Good luck with your choice.