Since its launch more than 30 years ago, the Lexus ES line has stood for unmatched luxury, comfort, and reliability. What began as a “Toyota Camry on steroids” is today one of the industry’s most prominent luxury sedans and a benchmark in terms of technology and driving safety.
You may ask, what tires are up to a vehicle like this? Read on to find out.
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Lexus ES350 Tire Size Overview
Using the correct tire size for your Lexus ES350 is crucial, which is why we list the tire size for each generation below.
- OEM Tire Size(s):
- Front/Rear: 215/60R16
- OEM Tire(s): BFGoodrich and Michelin
- Trim(s): All
- OEM Tire Size(s):
- Front/Rear: 215/55R17
- OEM Tire(s): BFGoodrich and Michelin
- Trim(s): All
- OEM Tire Size(s):
- Front/Rear: 215/55R17
- OEM Tire(s): BFGoodrich and Michelin
- Trim(s): All
- OEM Tire(s): BFGoodrich and Michelin
- Trim(s): Base, F Sport
Choosing New Lexus ES350 Tires
With a car like the Lexus ES350, it is clear that the tires you choose must provide the smoothest and quietest driving experience possible. However, other factors may influence your decision, some of which we discuss below.
What’s Your Weather Like?
In addition to providing you with maximum comfort, the tires on your Lexus ES350 should offer you safety regardless of weather conditions. For this reason, you should pay special attention to ratings related to wet and snow traction, especially if you live in an area where it rains frequently, or winter is harsh.
What Do You Use Your Lexus ES350 For?
The Lexus ES350 is not exactly a sports car, but its 300 horsepower doesn’t make it an ordinary sedan either. What’s your driving style like? Are you a spirited driver? If so, you should consider that you may have to sacrifice comfort for performance, especially if your expectations are to drive the ES350 as a sports sedan.
Comfort, Performance, Budget. Pick Two.
We mentioned a classic trade-off in the previous point, performance vs. comfort. However, this is not the only one. Tread durability can also impact comfort since more durable compounds tend to be less flexible and therefore produce more noise. The following section will explore several options, each focused on a typical use case.
Comparison of the Best Tires for Lexus ES350
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The Best Tires for Lexus ES350
How to choose the best tire for your Lexus ES350? As mentioned above, that has a lot to do with your expectations, your driving style, and the climate in your area, among other factors. Fortunately, we’ve prepared for you a list of the best options available on the market today.
Best Overall
Michelin CrossClimate2
Ratings (out of 5)
Dry Performance: 4.70 / 5
Wet Performance: 4.75 / 5
Overall Comfort: 4.50 / 5
Treadwear: 4.55 / 5
Snow/Ice Performance: 4.60 / 5
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As the Lexus ES350, the Michelin CrossClimate2 uses the most advanced technology available, so it should come as no surprise that they are a perfect match.
The grip offered by this tire in dry, wet, and snow is unrivaled. This is possible thanks to the tread design that enhances the traction and braking power of your ES350, even in adverse road conditions. On the other hand, the next-gen compound used by Michelin allows the CrossClimate2 to be flexible regardless of temperature, which improves grip and smoothness.
In addition to its excellent all-season performance, the Michelin CrossClimate2 is one of the quietest tires in its class, making it the best choice for demanding drivers looking for the best possible ride quality for their ES350.
Other Specifications
UTQG Rating: 640 B A
Directional: Yes
TireRack Road Hazard Protection: Yes
Treadlife Warranty: 6 Years / 60K Miles
Price Range: $189 to $214 per tire
Best Performance Tires for Lexus ES350
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Ratings (out of 5)
Dry Performance: 4.80 / 5
Wet Performance: 4.60 / 5
Overall Comfort: 4.45 / 5
Treadwear: 4.15 / 5
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As mentioned, the ES350 could be considered a sports sedan. That said, if you are a spirited driver, then the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is for you. Think of the Pilot Sport 4S as Michelin’s vision of what a performance tire should be.
Maximum dry grip, excellent traction and hydroplaning resistance in the wet, and a level of comfort envied by many luxury tires. Both the compound used in the Pilot Sport 4S and its tread design are aligned to achieve these goals. Ultimately, this is a tire that is not concerned with durability, only with delivering the best stopping power and performance to your Lexus ES350.
Other Specifications
UTQG Rating: 300 A A
Directional: Yes
TireRack Road Hazard Protection: Yes
Treadlife Warranty: 6 Years / 30K Miles
Price Range: $251 per tire
Best Cheap Tires for Lexus ES350
Vredestein Quatrac Pro
Ratings (out of 5)
Dry Performance: 4.60 / 5
Wet Performance: 4.60 / 5
Overall Comfort: 4.55 / 5
Treadwear: 4.35 / 5
Snow/Ice Performance: 4.25 / 5
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The word “cheap” doesn’t seem to fit a car like the Lexus ES350; however, there are use cases where that may be exactly what you need. If you only use your ES350 on weekends or only use it to drive short distances within the city, then paying the price for a tire like the CrossClimate2 is not justified. Proof of this is the Vredestein Quatrac Pro, an incredible tire that gives you great dry, wet, and snow performance at a reasonable price.
Moreover, in addition to its outstanding grip, the Quatrac Pro also gives you an upscale driving experience. All in all, if you are looking for an economical tire that is reliable and safe, the Vredestein Quatrac Pro is an excellent choice.
Other Specifications
UTQG Rating: 400 A A
Directional: Yes
TireRack Road Hazard Protection: Yes
Treadlife Warranty: 8 Years / 50K Miles
Price Range: $140 to $180 per tire
Best All-Weather Tires for Lexus ES350
Michelin CrossClimate+
Ratings (out of 5)
Dry Performance: 4.70 / 5
Wet Performance: 4.70 / 5
Overall Comfort: 4.35 / 5
Treadwear: 4.45 / 5
Snow/Ice Performance: 4.35 / 5
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If we are talking about alternatives to CrossClimate2, why not consider the CrossClimate+? You can think of this tire as an economy version of the CrossClimate2 that utilizes many of its technologies to give you an outstanding level of traction regardless of weather conditions.
In fact, it would be difficult for the average driver to notice a difference in ride quality between the two tires unless you push your ES350 to the limit. While the warranty is not as generous, the savings you get over the high-performance version offset this. In short, if you’re looking for a premium all-season tire at a reasonable price, this is the tire for you.
Other Specifications
UTQG Rating: 600 A A
Directional: Yes
TireRack Road Hazard Protection: Yes
Treadlife Warranty: 6 Years / 50K Miles
Price Range: $200 to $225 per tire
Best Snow Tires for Lexus ES350
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Ratings (out of 5)
Dry Performance: 4.35 / 5
Wet Performance: 4.60 / 5
Overall Comfort: 4.40 / 5
Treadwear: 4.25 / 5
Snow/Ice Performance: 4.65 / 5
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Our selection would not be complete without including today’s most advanced winter tire, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90. You can think of the Blizzak WS90 as the Lexus of winter tires.
Bridgestone has made sure to use the best materials to create the most sophisticated compound of its kind. That compound, combined with a computer-designed tread pattern to optimize grip on slippery surfaces, makes the Blizzak WS90 the best tire you can use on your ES350 during winter. In this sense, if you live in an area where you require special winter tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 will not disappoint you as it will offer powerful and safe braking to your car.
Other Specifications
UTQG Rating: None
Directional: Yes
TireRack Road Hazard Protection: Yes
Treadlife Warranty: None
Price Range: $150 to $203 per tire
Conclusion
Your Lexus ES350 deserves the best tires. This article has explored everything from economic alternatives to high-performance tires to the best all-season tires you can install on your car. If you’re wondering which one to choose, the answer is to focus on the tire that best meets your comfort, durability, and performance requirements.
People Also Ask
If you still have questions about tires for your ES350, this section is for you. Here we will answer the most frequently asked questions on the Internet.
Lexus uses BFGoodrich and Michelin tires in the vast majority of its cars. These brands guarantee a high level of quality, comfort, and safety on par with what you expect from a Lexus vehicle.