Lexus ES300H Reviews

Now one of only two sedans Lexus offers, the ES replaces both the smaller IS as well as the larger GS. The latter were both rear-wheel drive, but the ES is front-drive, using a stretched Toyota Camry architecture. Launched in 2018 but updated in 2021, the ES 300h facelift boasts heaps of metal for the money, along with hybrid tech and a full list of standard features. But is it premium enough?

The Lexus ES 300h Luxury is comfortable, easy to drive and has many other excellent points which could be enough to make up for its less than dazzling looks.

The mid-grade F-Sport allows you to add a bit of bling, and some sporty suspension wizardry, to your Lexes ES 300h, so is it worth the $69,755 spend?

The Lexus ES300h Luxury is the entry into the ES300h range, with a list price of $59,888.Standard features include a 12.3-inch screen with sat nav and a 10-speaker Pioneer stereo system with digital radio. There’s a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, 10-way power adjustable front seats, privacy rear windows, moonroof, proximity key and LED headlights, too.The Lexus ES is only available with one powertrain option – a petrol-electric hybrid. This combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 131kW and 221Nm with an electric motor that has outputs of 88kW and 202Nm. The 244.8V nickel-metal hydride battery has been moved from under the boot floor in the previous generation car to under the rear seats, so it no longer eats into the cargo space.The ES300h isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so battery recharging is done through regenerative braking.A continuously variable transmission means seamless and smooth low speed driving using just the motor, but under heavy acceleration the engine activates and the you’ll hear that drone associated with CVTs.The Lexus ES300h was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in September 2018. Expect 10 airbags, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. 

Lexus ES300h Sport Luxury sits at the top of the two-grade ES300h line-up, costing $74,888.Standard features include a 12.3-inch screen, sat nav and a Mark Levinson 17-speaker sound system with digital radio. There’s a head-up display, wireless charging, privacy rear windows, moonroof, proximity key, leather seats, heated and ventilated 12-way power adjustable front seats, heated and power reclining rear seats, three-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade and manual side rear window shades, gesture open boot and cornering LED headlights, too.The Lexus ES is only available with one powertrain option – a petrol-electric hybrid. This combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 131kW and 221Nm with an electric motor that has outputs of 88kW and 202Nm. The 244.8V nickel-metal hydride battery has been moved from under the boot floor in the previous generation car to under the rear seats, so it no longer eats into the cargo space. The ES300h isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so battery recharging is done through regenerative braking.A continuously variable transmission means seamless and smooth low speed driving using just the motor, but under heavy acceleration the engine activates and the you’ll hear that drone associated with CVTs.The Lexus ES300h was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in September 2018. Expect 10 airbags, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warning and adaptive cruise control.

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