For the 2020 model year, Lexus is offering the ES 300 hybrid in three different trim levels. There is the entry level Base, mid range Luxury and the range topping Ultra Luxury. Lexus has aptly packed the new ES, with even the base trim featuring most of the amenities that one could desire in a vehicle of this class. What draws a line between the three trims is the enhanced comfort and more premium features as you move up the order.

We Recommend

We recommend the top of the line Ultra Luxury trim. The $3650 additional premium paid for the top trim, over the base, is well worth the price. The full-fledged Ultra luxury trim is packed to the hilt with the best that Lexus has to offer with the ES and it truly encapsulates the sheer character of the ES that Lexus wants to present.

Engine and Transmission

Powering the new ES 300h, is the familiar 2.5 liter I-4 coupled with a pair of electric motors and a 1.6 kWh battery pack, delivering a combined output of 215 horses. The Hybrid apparatus is the same Toyota also uses in the Camry and Avalon hybrid.

Power output from this unit is not something extravagant or too tempting and so is the power delivery from the engine. That's mainly because the ES 300h is tuned for a relaxed and comfortable ride rather than passionate runs. Power coming from the engine feels just adequate to pull it around town and the power delivery is smooth and linear all the time. .

Flex your feet harder on the pedal and the engine does respond briskly. However, that briskness does not gets visible enough because of the old school CVT’s linear and relaxed power delivery. Same is the case with other hybrids offered in this segment which are focused towards ride quality and efficiency over anything else.

Acceleration

The modest powertrain in the ES 300h is not crafted for keen accelerations and its 8.1 second 0-60 sprint certainly substantiates the claim. The electric motors do provide some healthy torque, but even with 15 additional horses, the seventh gen ES 300h feels a bit laid-back, getting off the line.

Unsurprisingly, the other hybrids in the competition here also follow the same trajectory. The Toyota Avalon that uses the same powertrain as the ES 300h delivers a faster sprint than the Lexus, thanks to the Avalon’s more sport oriented dynamics and mechanical tuning.

Braking and Handling

If its one parameter in which the ES is most cautious about, it has to be the ride quality. The leather coated cabin and performance dampers with new multi-link suspension promise you a smooth and relaxed ride, all day long. You also have Active noise insulation and insulated mirrors along with polyurethane foam coating on the pillars to ensure minimal penetration of noise inside the cabin. The lowered body than its predecessor and the repositioning of the battery pack under the rear seats allows a lower center of gravity and optimized weight distribution. The ES 300h feels firm and confident all the time with good level of communication with the ground, even around corners. Coming from a premium brand with a more premium price tag than its competitors certainly reflects in the overall packaging of the ES 300h.

Braking in the ES 300h is taken care of by ventilated discs up front and solids at the rear. All the four wheels also get ABS as standard and it also gets regenerative braking mechanism for the hybrid functionality. The brakes however reliable might leave you nervous in emergency braking situations. The regenerative braking does not affect the brake operation too much but yes there is a slight hinge of lag, everytime you hit the pedal.

The purpose of introducing hybrid system in cars is to maximize the fuel efficiency. Delivering a combined 44 miles per gallon, the 2020 ES 300h serves this purpose very well, thanks to the higher degree of hybridization with two electric motors. The full engagement of the electric motors at city speeds, further adds to the party.

The toyota Avalon uses the same hybrid architecture as the ES, and gets close enough to its more premium sibling in terms of efficiency. The MKZ too, is pretty solid in its business, returning a healthy mpg figure. However, the Buick LaCrosse’s fuel efficiency cannot keep up with the other cars in the bunch, because of its mild hybrid arrangement and a smaller electric motor.

Seating and Comfort

Similar to all Lexus cars, the ES 300h has a very comfortable ride, complimented by a very plush and comfy interior. The suspension is set up a little too soft, which hampers cornering ability a little.

The Lexus seats 5 people in extreme comfort, with lots of space both in the front and back. There is plenty of legroom especially in the back, which is great for the people who like being chauffeured around. The seats are very comfortable, even over large distances, and the climate control system helps control the atmosphere inside the cabin.

The competition also seats 5, similar to the Lexus, although only the Toyota Avalon has the same rear seat space as the Lexus. The front seat space, however, is quite generous in all these cars and even the interiors are extremely well built.

Infotainment system

The Lexus ES 300h comes standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment screen (12.3 inches optional). There are also plenty of other features on offer, which are listed below:

• 15-speaker, 835-watt Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System
• DVD/CD player
• HD Radio
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Lexus Enform connected services

Cargo Capacity

The battery pack of a hybrid car takes up a lot of space in the trunk, which is a problem that plagues every hybrid car in the market. The trunk has a disappointingly low 12.1 liters of space, which is barely enough for two weeks' worth of groceries.

All the cars here have small trunks, with the Infinity G50 hybrid deserving a special mention. Its lack of space is downright hurtful, and if you plan to ever have luggage in the back, then this the one car you should steer clear of.

Dimensions and Weight

The Lexus belongs to the midsize luxury sedan segment and has moderate dimensions and surprisingly lightweight for a hybrid car. The length is a little more than 190 inches, and more than 70 inches wide. Negotiating traffic could be a little difficult during rush hour, but not by much.

Ground clearance is near six inches, not enough to go off-road, but enough to tackle high speedbumps and loitering rocks on the road. Even the wheelbase is long, in order to free as much space in the cabin as possible.

The competition has nearly the same dimensions and weight as the Lexus, with the exception of the Infinity Q50 hybrid, which is quite a bit smaller yet a lot heavier. All the cars have large wheelbase in order to free up the rear legroom even more.

Exterior Features

The exterior of the Lexus ES 300h also has a few features to boast. These are as follows:

• Projector headlamp
• LED daytime running lights
• Spindle grille
• 18-inch alloy wheels

Safety Ratings and Reliability

The 2020 Lexus ES 300h comes fitted with a lot of safety equipment to keep its passengers safe. The standard safety features are as follows:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS and Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Lexus Enform w/Safety Connect Emergency SOS
• Lexus Safety System+ Forward Collision
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA) w/Steering Assist Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA) w/Steering Assist Lane Departure Warning
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver and Passenger Knee Airbag and Rear Side-Impact Airbag
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• First Aid Kit
• Outboard Front Lap and Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters and Pretensioners

Safety Ratings by NHSTA

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere

The Lincoln MKZ hybrid Premiere is a great car at a great price and is mostly comfortable for a family of four (or five). The fuel savings are exceptional, especially in the urban crawl, and although it isn't the best car in this segment, the Lincoln manages to hold its own.

The mild-mannered dynamics, along with the lack of rear seat space and trunk space, push the Lincoln towards the back of the segment. Even though it is a great car for the price, we would have wanted a little more from it.

Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus

The Toyota Avalon Hybrid is the closest to Lexus in terms of everything and is better in performance. What's more, Toyota is actually cheaper too, which makes it a much more lucrative buy.

The Lexus, however, has more cabin comforts, more space, and better interiors. If you are looking for the best luxury experience while also saving the polar bears, then the Lexus makes more sense.

Infinity Q50 Hybrid LUXE

The Infinity G50 Hybrid is the heaviest, most powerful and consequently the least efficient hybrid system here. The benefits of the hybrid system are actually negated in this car, as both the performance and the efficiency suffer.

The Lexus hybrid is a great car, let alone a great hybrid car, and it comfortably outperforms the Infinity in the important aspects.

The Lexus ES 300h is like the Achilles of the Lexus army; sure it gives it a headstart on the whole luxury war but it can't be the sole champion on which the battle is won. Leading the trojan into the wall of the luxurious troy, the ES 300h does provide the gateway to the necessary kingdom which were once never breached by the Japanese. However, the Achilles heel might be the power on demand available which though is tiny but can be the cause of defeat too.