The ES 300h is the extra fuel-efficient model of Lexus’ midsize sedan, with its hybrid powertrain burning about 40 p.c much less gasoline than the gas-only ES 350. That makes it probably the most fuel-efficient luxurious vehicles on the market. Sure, it is down on energy in contrast with the V6-powered ES 350, however due to an all-new platform and sportier suspension tweaks throughout the board, the hybrid luxurious sedan is surprisingly enjoyable to drive.Embarking on its seventh technology for the 2019 mannequin 12 months, the Lexus ES is much much less a geriatric proposition than earlier than.New strikesThe 2019 ES is among the most snug vehicles I’ve ever pushed. A pleasing antidote to failing infrastructure, the ES makes Los Angeles’ 405 freeway’s unevenness inconsequential. Not even sharp velocity bumps can upset this Lexus.
But that does not imply it is a wafty snoozefest. Sure, the ES 300h isn’t a sports activities sedan, however crank some angle into the steering and it responds with quickness. Turn-in is fast, and the ES stays comparatively flat by way of corners. Overall, the ES feels fairly mild on its toes, regardless of being weighed down by a heavy, nickel-metal hydride battery.
But that battery pulls its personal weight, serving to the two.5-liter, four-cylinder engine up entrance ship a mixed 215 horsepower to the entrance wheels by way of a surprisingly smooth-acting repeatedly variable transmission. With a 0-60 mile-per-hour time of 8.1 seconds, the ES is not going to trigger a catharsis off the road, however mid-range, freeway passing energy is spectacular, the electrical motor delivering a pleasant punch of prompt torque.The battery-assisted 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine makes for probably the most fuel-efficient luxurious vehicles on sale right now.
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The hybrid ES brings simply sufficient energy to the desk, nevertheless it additionally brings a beneficiant serving to of effectivity, as properly. The EPA charges the ES 300h at 43 miles per gallon within the metropolis, and 45 mpg freeway. Much of my 242 miles had been spent idling because the automotive and I helped manage a charity occasion, so I solely ended up averaging 36 mpg throughout my week with the ES. Still, that is markedly higher than the 26 mpg mixed (22/33 metropolis/freeway mpg) the EPA says you may get with the ES 350.When it comes time to brush off some velocity, the ES does that properly, too. The regenerative braking system has about 90 p.c of the linearity of a automobile with typical brakes, so it solely takes a couple of minutes to get used to the minimally altered braking really feel. Some automotive firms aren’t even half pretty much as good at integrating their regenerative braking, so it is a nice instance of Toyota’s and Lexus’ experience with constructing hybrids.The Lexus ES gives probably the most snug cabins within the enterprise.
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Comfort for allPlop your bottom into the ES’s driver’s seat, and it will be love at first sit. There’s greater than sufficient room to stretch out, too. The ES has by no means been a stranger to spaciousness, however the brand new seventh-generation ES is 1.8 inches wider than its predecessor, whereas additionally providing a 2-inch-longer wheelbase. As a consequence, there’s not an uncomfortable seat in the home, particularly with high-quality cabin supplies all through. The inside is quiet, too, however not noticeably quieter than competing vehicles on this section.With the hybrid battery sitting beneath the again seat, the ES 300h gives the identical 16.7 cubic toes of trunk area as its ES 350 kin. Ultimately, that is extra cargo room than what you may discover within the Buick LaCrosse, Kia Cadenza, Lincoln MKZ and even the ES’s platform-mate, the Toyota Avalon, which has 16.1 cubic toes. Unfortunately, because of structural V-bracing between the rear seatbacks and the trunk, you possibly can’t fold down the again seat to spice up your cargo areaAs nice because the ES is, its poor infotainment interface alone may very well be a deal-breaker.
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Great tech behind a nasty interfaceYour yelling and frustration on the ES 300h’s infotainment could interrupt the inside’s tranquility. The Lexus Enform Remote Touch Interface, arguably the worst available on the market, is difficult to make use of.
Aside from that, there’s loads of customary tech to talk of. The ES comes geared up with an 8-inch show that includes Apple CarPlay. You additionally get Wi-Fi, a 10-speaker sound system and a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster show. That obligatory tech is complemented with a powerful suite of normal security options, which embody pedestrian- and bicyclist-detecting collision-mitigation braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, street signal recognition and computerized excessive beams.How I might spec itThe 2019 Lexus ES begins at $39,600 plus $1,025 for vacation spot, and will get you a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. If you need the additional effectivity of the ES 300h hybrid, you are a $41,410 beginning worth.
I like all of the bells and whistles, so I might go for the ES 300h in top-spec Ultra Luxury trim, which instructions $51,135. The top-shelf ES 300h contains options like rain-sensing wipers, acoustic aspect glass, an influence trunk lid with a kick sensor and efficiency dampers. Inside, there is a energy tilt and telescoping steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats, plus semi-aniline leather-based upholstery. Other options bundled with the Ultra Luxury bundle embody a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, ultrasonic parking sensors. The spindle grille is attention-grabbing, nevertheless it’s nowhere close to as offensive-looking because the Toyota Avalon’s horrifyingly gaping maw.
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For an extra $1,080, I might add the Navigation-Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package, which options embedded navigation on a 12.3-inch show and an 1,800-watt, 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system. The bundle additionally bundles an auto-dimming mirror with an built-in HomeLink transceiver.I might additionally add the 10.2-inch head-up show for $500, triple-beam-LED headlights for $1,515 and the wi-fi smartphone charger for $75. That brings me to a complete of $54,305 together with vacation spot, which is about 5 grand greater than my tester’s $49,730, which lacks the Mark Levinson audio, head-up show, heated steering wheel and wi-fi charger.Comfort with improved consumptionIt’s price noting at this level equally geared up (and almost as good) Toyota Avalon is roughly $6,000 cheaper than the ES, however the Lexus’ status badge and arguably higher design — particularly in opposition to the Avalon’s controversial gaping-maw grille — might make the value premium worthwhile. The Lexus additionally will get barely higher gasoline financial system than the Toyota.Overall, the 2019 ES is a delightful instance of a automotive that may supply exceptional plushness whereas nonetheless being enjoyable to drive. The 2019 ES 300h is fuel-efficient, snug, spacious, fashionable and fairly priced. Sedans could also be shedding reputation, however the ES reveals that there is nonetheless life left on this waning class. In truth, the ES 300h is sweet sufficient for me to name it my favourite amongst all of the automobiles I’ve examined this previous 12 months.
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