2018 Lexus ES Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Lexus ES has been the company’s sensible midsize luxury sedan for years, and in 2013, the automaker introduced the hybrid version called the ES 300h. Still built on the Toyota Camry platform, the ES 300h uses a 4-cylinder gasoline engine in conjunction with Toyota’s 2-motor electric hybrid system instead of the aspirated 6-cylinder featured in the ES 350. Starting at less than $42,000, the ES 300h is also only a few thousand dollars more than the ES 350, while the savings it offers on fuel are substantial. Changes for the 2018 model year are minimal; The mid-range Premium model is now known as the Premier, the range-topping version is still called the Ultra Luxury model.
Non-hybrid ES models come with a pretty conventional 6-cylinder engine, but the ES 300h uses Toyota’s 2-motor hybrid system that backs up a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The total system output is only 200 horsepower, but the car’s main electric motor provides the instant torque from a standstill that only an electric powertrain can provide particularly useful in heavy traffic situations. The driver can also select the energy-efficient pure EV mode which is only usable at low speeds with light taps on the gas pedal, making it ideal in traffic.
The hybrid version’s main appeal, though, is its limited fuel consumption, and the Lexus gets an impressive 40 mpg city, 39 highway, 40 combined. Particularly for around-town driving, that is far better than the 21 mpg that the ES 350 gets in the city. And, since the base price for the ES 300h is only about $3,000 more than the ES 350, drivers with long commutes may feel a strong pull toward the hybrid given a choice between the two. As for driving dynamics, no Lexus ES has ever really been considered sporty, and the ES 300h is even less athletic thanks to the extra weight of its hybrid powertrain, but in general, the current generation ES has been praised for having well-weighted power steering.
As is so often the case when designing a hybrid version of an existing model, the ES 300h sacrifices some interior space to accommodate electric motors and battery packs, but supposedly this is limited to the trunk. The ES 300h has ample room for five adults in the cabin thanks to a long wheelbase. The fit and finish of the interior are up to the high standards that Lexus has established for itself and extra features come at a reasonable price. All ES models come standard with synthetic leather upholstery, 8-inch infotainment display, dual-zone automatic climate control, and moonroof.
The midrange Premier package adds heating and ventilation to the front seats, driver’s seat and steering wheel memory feature, leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood-trimmed door panels, and alloy wheels. The range-topping Ultra Luxury package further adds a panoramic sunroof, ambient interior lighting, and semi-aniline leather. Other optional extras include a navigation system and a 15-speaker audio system by Mark Levinson.
The ES 300h offers a lot when it comes to safety, now that the Lexus Safety System+ package comes standard. It includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and intelligent high-beam headlights. Buyers can also opt for blind-spot monitors and parking assist. Another complementary feature, at least for the first decade of ownership, is the Lexus Safety Connect subscription, which features roadside assistance with automatic notification in the event of an accident and locator service if the car gets stolen.
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2018 Lexus ES Hybrid Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leatherette · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: grocery bag holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.54
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 141 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 105 · Electric Motor Torque: 199 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 156 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 156 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4500
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation app: Scout · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse