Luxury, comfort and hybrid technology make up the complete package, 2015 Lexus ES 300h Sedan
Hybrid technology and Toyota over the past decade have become very close synonyms with one another as the car manufacture has continued to perfect the technology behind a hybrid high gas mileage system. While other manufactures have jumped into the hybrid world we have yet to encounter one that has so many models in the line, especially ones that can get upward of 40 mpg.
The Lexus ES 300h is a brother to the best selling sedan in the line, or the ES 350, both of which are an excellent choice for a first adventure into an entry level model in the luxury sedan market. Before the redesign of the ES series two years ago, it had been based on the Toyota Camry, now it comes with the more upscale Avalon underpinnings as the base for the ES line.
Fortunately just over a year ago we were able to enjoy driving the Avalon Hybrid for a week, and along with the ES 300 were able to garner just under 40 mpg both weeks. We continue to be very impressed with the power that is available from the smaller engine that still gets such a high mpg in the real world. There are some new diesel engine vehicles on the market today that can’t even put that notch in their belt.
The Lexus ES is considered by most to be a mid-sized sedan, but after a week of driving we would put it more closely related to a full size sedan as the ES was more than large enough for us and two adults in the rear for our Saturday night out with friends. The rear seating is very comfortable and there was ample leg room, even for a third passenger in the center as there was no hump in the middle of the floor, which most vehicles sport.
To us the ES 300h just seemed more like a full sized sedan, and both of us were of the opinion that if it looks and acts the part it would most likely fall into that category. The ES model has become so popular that a couple of years ago Lexus predicted that 1 in 4 of the vehicles sold here in the U.S. would be a hybrid. That prediction however, not quite a reality yet, still 3 percent of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. today is a hybrid for a total of 452,000 vehicles sold.
This is a testament to the Toyota brand and where they have put their all into new innovative hybrid technology, ever since the inception of the Prius hybrid. We have to admit after driving pretty much every one of the Prius models in the past, we were never fully enamored with the looks of the Prius, but the mileage always spoke for itself and with that… Toyota has taken the lead in this category proving that they could duplicate this type of mileage in other hybrid vehicles.
Case in point was the new ES300 we had for the week that attained an outstanding 41.5 mpg, which included everyday normal driving, a trip to the Sandy amphitheater when Deanne took Craig’s mother Pat to the ‘Shrek the Musical’, and the next day a trip down to Nephi for Craig. Toyota has made the ES hybrid work exactly as advertised as we encountered all types of roads during the week and still were able to maintain over the 40 mpg mark.
The ES300h comes standard with 2.6 liter 4 cylinder inline engine that is coupled with a high output permanent magnet electric drive that together combine to produce a very nice 200 system horsepower, that was coupled with a electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. We found this to be plenty of power both when accelerating and when having to pass on the freeway.
The transmission was one of the best we have driven in this category, it was hard to tell this was a CVT. Usually when we get a vehicle with a CVT it is very noticeable as the vehicle never really seems to shift, this is not a huge deal and we become accustomed to it, but during our week with the ES we did not even notice the CTV, so kudos to the engineers at Lexus!
After coming to grips with the ability of a full sized sedan to attain the 40 mpg mark there is still that fact you are driving a Lexus, a name that has become synonymous with luxury in the automotive industry. The ES did not disappoint us in that category as it came with all the wonderful creature comforts that we have come to love in the Lexus line.
Standard on the ES300h are going to be things like 17″ aluminum alloy 6 spoke wheels, a rear spoiler, automatic projector bulb headlights with LED daytime running lights and of course the now infamous Lexus spindle grill! Lexus seems to have come up with the perfect combination of lines and curves on the exterior of their sedans to really make them attractive to the luxury market and seem to stay a step ahead of the design curve, always keeping their vehicles fresh.
Inside the designers of the ES did not disappoint, of course the seats were of a very nice black leather and both the passenger and drivers seats were power adjustable in 10 different ways, with a memory setting on the driver’s side ensuring the comfort of everyone up front all the time.
There were one touch up and down power windows all around, blue tooth connectivity for both our phones and audio players, and of course Lexus premium audio with an automatic sound levelizer that adjusted to the sound level to match driving speed and other ambient noise levels.
Of course there was also the push button start with smart access to the vehicle, which is one of our favorite Toyota technologies that allows the doors to automatically unlock with just a slight tug on the handle and relock with just a touch of the door handle, thus making getting in and out a breeze.
There were also some great additions to the standard ES300 package that really made the ride the ride ever more enjoyable. Craig’s favorite was the heated steering wheel of course, even though he only got to use it on a couple of cooler mornings, it is a great feature to have here in Utah.
The Ultra Luxury Package came with heated and cooled seats, beautiful bamboo accents around the cabin, ambient lighting and a power adjustable steering wheel. A blind spot monitor was also included which is a great safety feature that can be added to most vehicles; it always seems to come in handy whenever it comes with our weekly ride!
Another thing we enjoyed was the power trunk opener and closer, a very handy option when your arms are full of groceries or other items just taken out of the trunk.
Then new ES300h is a great example of how Toyota has taken the hybrid technology to the extreme, if great gas mileage along with a fantastic luxury ride is what you really desire check out the new Lexus today at Larry H. Mille Lexus in Lindon at 544 Lindon Park Drive, 801-227.3200.
Base Price: $40,430
Price as Driven: $48,605
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