Lexus ES 300h hybrid combines luxury, fuel economy in a sedan

The hybrid ES 300h was restyled on with its gasoline-only ES 250 and 350 siblings arsenic the wide ES enactment entered its seventh procreation for 2019. The archetypal hybrid mentation of the ES appeared 16 years ago.

Changes for 2022 crossed the full ES lineup see immoderate exterior plan updates, specified arsenic a caller grille connected each trims but the F Sport. 

The grille’s caller mesh signifier uses a bid of concentric “L” shapes that radiate from the beforehand Lexus emblem, and are finished successful a caller Graphite paint. The caller grille is paired with redesigned modular bi-LED headlights.

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New 18-inch, five-spoke, alloy noise-reduction wheels with high-gloss decorativeness are disposable connected the ES 300h Luxury and modular connected the Ultra Luxury model. The F Sport exemplary gets exclusive 19-inch split-five-spoke alloy wheels with a caller Gloss Black finish.

Inside, determination is simply a caller streamlined instrumentality panel, on with what Lexus calls “human-centered” updates to the Lexus Multimedia System and disposable Navigation System. The modular eight-inch and disposable 12.3-inch colour multimedia displays person been moved guardant 4.3 inches and present diagnostic touch-screen functionality, successful summation to the distant interaction interface, the institution says.

The Lexus ES 300h hybrid sedan has country for up to 5 passengers, and a agelong database of modular and disposable luxury features.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

For accrued safety, the 2022 ES enactment adds the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and the Lexus Safety System-plus 2.5 arsenic modular instrumentality connected each trim levels.

That brings the Pre-Collision System, which includes Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection, and an enhancement to the camera and radar to grow the effect range.

Another update includes Intersection Turning Assist, Lexus says, noting that “at intersections, the strategy has the capableness nether definite conditions to admit an oncoming conveyance erstwhile performing a left-hand turn, oregon a pedestrian erstwhile performing left- and right-hand turns,” and activate automatic evasive maneuvers.

For amended substance system -- astir treble that of the gasoline-only ES 350’s metropolis mileage standing -- the ES 300h comes with a gasoline-electric hybrid strategy and is EPA rated astatine 43 mpg city/44 highway/44 combined. That’s fantabulous for a premium sedan with accepted non-hybrid (non-weird) styling that differs small from the gasoline-only ES.

Under the hood of the ES 300h is fundamentally the aforesaid Hybrid Synergy Drive strategy recovered successful the akin Toyota Camry and Toyota Avalon hybrids. It features a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline motor paired with an electrical motor, giving the conveyance a full of 215 horsepower. 

The gasoline motor unsocial produces 176 horsepower and 163 foot-pounds of torque. The smaller, more-efficient electrical centrifugal introduced past twelvemonth adds 39 horsepower. The motor and centrifugal unneurotic nonstop powerfulness to the beforehand wheels done a continuously adaptable automatic transmission, alternatively than the accepted automatic utilized successful the regular ES models.

While the hybrid has conscionable a four-cylinder engine, it gives the consciousness of a V-6 due to the fact that of the other torque provided by the electrical motor. That torque is disposable from startup. The hybrid isn’t arsenic speedy to accelerate arsenic the modular ES 350 model, but it’s close. It tin spell from zero to 60 mph successful 8.1 seconds. Top velocity of the hybrid is electronically constricted to 112 mph.

A nickel-metal-hydride artillery battalion nether the rear spot powers the electrical motor, and the car recharges the artillery erstwhile the gasoline motor is moving oregon portion the conveyance is coming to a halt with the driver’s ft disconnected the accelerator. There is nary plug-in enactment for outer recharging.

The caller plan introduced for 2019 brought much refinement and luxury to the ES line. It’s based connected Toyota’s caller planetary architecture, which Toyota said “gave the designers the flexibility to make an ES that’s arsenic visibly striking arsenic it is enjoyable to drive.”

This newest ES is 2.6 inches longer, 1.8 inches wider and 0.2 inches little than the erstwhile generation, and each 4 wheels person been pushed person to the corners for a more-stable ride. The wheelbase is 2 inches longer, portion the beforehand way is astir a half-inch wider, and the rear way is 1.5 inches wider.

Inside, the compartment offers comfy seating for up to 5 people, with refined, upscale materials and leather upholstery.

Our top-of-the-line Ultra Luxury exemplary came with heated and ventilated semi-aniline leather beforehand seats, with a 14-way power-adjustable driver’s spot and 10-way powerfulness rider seat; a head-up display; heated wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel; and rain-sensing windshield wipers with de-icers.

There’s a representation strategy for the driver’s seat, extracurricular mirrors and steering wheel. Other modular features see wood interior trim and ambient lighting.

Special exterior features connected this upscale trim level see a rear spoiler, the LED headlights and LED daytime moving lights, intelligent precocious beams, road-sign assist, electrochromic heated/power/folding extracurricular mirrors, hands-free power-opening trunk lid, and show suspension dampers (front and rear).

Our tester had the optional Triple Beam LED Headlights ($1,215).

Standard interior amenities connected our conveyance included steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, SmartAccess with pushbutton start/stop, backup camera with guidelines, powerfulness rear sunshade with manual rear-door sunshades, dual-zone automatic clime power and a powerfulness tilt/slide satellite roof.

There are 10 modular aerial bags, including seat-mounted broadside aerial bags and roof-mounted side-curtain aerial bags for some rows. Also included are Brake Assist with Smart-Stop Technology, and a Drive Mode Select strategy with Eco, Normal and Sport settings.

The Lexus Multimedia System with 12.3-inch colour show is standard, on with a 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System with dependable command.

But our tester came with the optional Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package ($1,080) with a 12.3-inch colour multimedia display, Lexus Enform Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist (with three-year trial), Dynamic Voice Command (included for the archetypal 10 years of ownership), and Mark Levinson PurePlay 17-speaker/1,800-watt Surround Sound audio system.

Our conveyance came successful the pleasant Nightfall Mica exterior color.

There is arsenic overmuch headroom successful the rear arsenic determination is successful the front, and arsenic with astir midsize sedans, 3 radical tin thrust successful the backmost seat, though 2 are much comfortable.

Total sticker terms for our 2022 Lexus ES 300h Ultra Luxury sedan, including freight and options, was $54,450.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III person appeared regularly successful the Express-News since 2000. Contact him astatine chambers@auto-writer.com oregon connected Twitter @gchambers3.

2022 Lexus ES 300h sedan

The package: Premium, midsize, four-door, five-passenger, front-wheel-drive, gasoline/electric hybrid sedan.
Highlights: The midsize Lexus sedan was wholly restyled for 2019 for its seventh generation, portion the hybrid mentation entered its 3rd generation, with styling, interior and exertion updates, and further information and convenience features. It returns for 2022 with immoderate ocular and information upgrades, and its archetypal F Sport version. This best-selling Lexus sedan enactment offers a agelong database of modular oregon disposable premium features.
Negatives: Can get pricey with each the options.
Engine: 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder Atkinson rhythm gasoline motor coupled with an electrical motor.
Transmission: Continuously adaptable automatic.
Power/torque: 176 HP./163 foot-pounds (four-cylinder gasoline engine) positive 39 HP. (electric motor) for full 215 HP.
Length: 195.5 inches.
Curb weight: 3,704 pounds.
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.
Electronic stableness control: Standard.
Side aerial bags: Front seat-mounted; side-curtain for some rows.
Trunk capacity: 13.9 cubic feet.
EPA substance economy: 43 mpg city/44 highway/44 combined.
Fuel capacity/type: 13.2 gallons/regular unleaded.
Major competitors: Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid.
Base terms range: $41,900-$51,080 positive $1,075 freight.
Price arsenic tested: $54,450, including freight and options (2022 ES 300h Ultra Luxury).
On the Road rating: 9.3 (of a imaginable 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail; existent selling terms whitethorn vary.