Is the 2013 Lexus ES 350 FWD or RWD?
The 2013 Lexus ES 350 is front-wheel drive (FWD). There is no rear-wheel-drive (RWD) option for this model year in the U.S. market.
In detail, the ES 350 is built as a front-engine, front-wheel-drive sedan, prioritizing smooth, quiet ride and interior space. While Lexus has offered all-wheel drive on some ES variants in other years or regions, the 2013 ES 350 available in North America did not include an AWD configuration.
Drivetrain basics
Here are the core characteristics that define the 2013 ES 350's drivetrain.
- Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive (FWD)
- Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 engine
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission
- All-wheel drive availability: Not offered on the 2013 ES 350 in the U.S./Canada
These features collectively describe a traditional, comfortable luxury-sedan drivetrain, optimized for on-road performance and fuel efficiency rather than sport-oriented handling.
Global availability note
In some international markets and in different years, Lexus has offered AWD variants within the ES family or related models. Those configurations are separate from the 2013 ES 350 in North America and should be verified with regional specs if you are researching a non-U.S. example.
What this means for buyers and drivers
For buyers seeking all-wheel-drive flexibility or rear-wheel-drive dynamics, the 2013 ES 350 in its North American specification does not provide those options. If AWD is a priority, prospective buyers can explore other model years or Lexus models that explicitly offer AWD or consider different trims that might share a platform base but with optional AWD in alternate markets.
Summary
The 2013 Lexus ES 350 is a front-wheel-drive luxury sedan, not a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. In the United States and Canada, there was no factory AWD option for this model year; any AWD configurations would be outside the standard North American ES 350 offering and would require market-specific research.
