Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
For the ES model’s first five generations ending in 2012, the Lexus ES shared underpinnings with the mainstream Toyota Camry, which has long offered a hybrid alternative. That Lexus didn’t choose to adapt the Camry Hybrid’s drivetrain for ES duty is something I have difficulty wrapping my mind around, as it would have been a prime candidate. It’s odd then that the brand waited until last year to offer a hybrid variant when the sixth-generation ES moved up to share the new Avalon’s platform architecture, but the ES 300h is a welcome addition just the same.
We don’t get the Avalon Hybrid here in Canada, our market too small to warrant such
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Lexus is known for luxuriant rides, and the ES 300h fits this ideal to a tee. The ES doesn’t ride, it glides. Just the same it won’t bounce over pavement irregularities or
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Likewise the ES 300h’s four-cylinder engine, a DOHC, 16-valve, Atkinson-cycle unit measuring 2.5 litres and featuring variable valve timing, comes mated to a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery combination that all comes together to power the front wheels via a continuously variable
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
By today’s standards, 200 horsepower and 212 lb-ft of torque don’t sound all that exciting for a large mid-size vehicle weighing in at 1,660 kilos, but twist the console-mounted drive mode select knob to the right into its Sport setting and the ES 300h fires off the line with a burst of front-wheel chirping enthusiasm that will likely take you by surprise. The charge up to highway speeds is just as relentless. Its surge of electrical thrust feels strongest in the initial stages of acceleration, after which the power from the internal combustion engine (ICE) seems to take over, the car never hesitating in its ramp up to highway speeds and equally as effective during highway passing maneuvers.
Of
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Cleanliness
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Unlike the powertrain the ES 300h’s interior isn’t seamless, but rather there’s attractive off-white stitched leather and leatherette covering many of the surfaces. The dash top gets the white on black executive treatment, as does the leather-wrapped portion of the partially wooden steering wheel, plus the hand rest for the infotainment system’s computer mouse-like remote controller (one of my favourite Lexus features). The steering wheel’s genuine wood is perfectly matched to another shiny strip of faux woodgrain that runs across the dash front and doors, which also matches a thicker plank found on the lower console. It looks real and rich, especially when garnishing my ES 300h’s parchment coloured cabin. The
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Additional standard features include proximity sensing remote access with pushbutton ignition, a power tilt and telescopic steering column, 10-way power-adjustable and heated driver and front passenger seats, driver’s seat memory, powered windows with auto up/down all-round, dual-zone automatic climate control, a multi-information display, and a display audio system with a seven-inch infotainment screen connecting through to an eight-speaker audio system with aux and USB inputs, Bluetooth hands-free phone with audio streaming, satellite radio
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Of course, Lexus has packed the ES 300h full of standard safety equipment too, including ABS-enhanced four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, electronic brake force distribution and Smart Stop Technology, plus traction and stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and 10 airbags, six of the usual array plus two for the driver and front passenger’s knees, and two side-impact bags for the rear. This full load of safety features along with the ES 300h’s inherently sound body structure helped it earn a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
My
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
I had the opportunity to test out the next option group dubbed Leather Package, which builds on the Navigation Package by replacing the standard perforated NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery with those perforated genuine leather seat surfaces I spoke of earlier, plus it adds an illuminated entry system, a power rear window
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Lastly, the ES 300h can be had with the Technology Package, which continues to add features to the Leather Package such as higher-grade premium leather upholstery, variable-length cushion adjustment to the powered driver’s seat, passenger seat memory, automatic high beam assist, dynamic radar cruise control, clearance and back-up sensors, a powered trunk lid, blind spot monitoring, lane departure alert, rear cross traffic alert, and Lexus pre-collision system.
Its
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
This in mind the regular ES 350 starts at $39,750, whereas the ES 300h begins life at $44,100. My tester’s Leather Package added $5,050 to the bottom line for an as-tested price of $49,150, plus $1,995 for freight and pre-delivery prep.
Considering the fuel savings and extra standard equipment allotted to the ES 300h over its conventionally powered sibling, a little over $4k isn’t too much to pay for the hybrid upgrade. Even with its few faults it’s a beautifully styled, well-mannered, impressively featured executive sedan that deserves its many accolades and loyal customer base.
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