2015 Lexus ES Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Write a review

--

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.4

avg user rating

(5 reviews)
2015 Lexus ES Hybrid Preview summaryImage

What if you drove a hybrid and it felt completely normal? What if the vehicle seemed just like any other vehicle, but got much better mileage? If you have ever asked yourself that question, you can find the answer in the 2015 Lexus ES 300h. This is a hybrid that comes with no compromise in ride quality or driving pleasure. In fact, it's so quiet and so smooth it may spoil regular cars for you forever. You’ve been warned.

Incredibly, this is the sixth generation of the ES from Lexus. In a fun twist of fate, the 2015 ES 300h generates 156 hp from its 2.5-liter engine — the same amount the 1989 ES 250 did. These days, that power is made by a 4-cylinder, Atkinson cycle engine instead of the V6 Lexus used back in the ’80s. Lexus mates an electric motor to this 4-cylinder gasoline engine, with both driving the front wheels. Together the pair provide 200 hp but it feels like more since the electric motor provides instant torque. Lexus uses a gearless continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the 2015 ES 300h, techonology that has since been adopted by many of this hybrid’s competitors.

Driving the 2015 ES 300h is a study in normality. The vehicle accelerates to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds — a completely ordinary statistic for a premium sedan. The only thing most drivers notice about the ES 300h is that it is quieter than most sedans in its class. In fact, when stopped, or when the vehicle is using its electric drive, the ES 300h is completely silent. Like all ES models, the ES 300h handles well. Steering is direct, and bumps are tackled with almost comic ease.

Since the 2015 Lexus ES 300h is a hybrid, we need to get some numbers out of the way. First, the ES 300h uses regular unleaded and earns an EPA estimated rating of 40 mpg city/39 highway/40 combined. For a large sedan, these numbers are very impressive. One added benefit of the excellent fuel economy is that the ES 300h can go just under 700 miles on a full tank of gas.

Additionally, the EPA says that, compared to a typical sedan this size, the 2015 Lexus ES 300h will save its owner $3,250 over the first 5 years of ownership. That's almost exactly the added cost of this vehicle compared to its sibling, the ES 350 (which has a gasoline engine only). It's easy to see how the ES 300h puts its owner ahead financially.

More impressive is the environmental successes of the ES 300h. At only 223 grams of CO2 per mile, it has some of the lowest emissions of a vehicle its size. To beat its CO2 rating, one needs to select a vehicle that plugs in and uses supplemental electricity. Even then, that electricity has a carbon footprint.

A bare-bones Lexus ES300h includes a lot of what many cars add as options. For example, a power moonroof, smart key and push-button entry, LED lighting, a backup camera, power seats, and HD Radio with traffic and weather. The standard seats are perforated NuLuxe, which mimics the benefits of leather without having to involve a cow, something a many green-car buyers appreciate.

Choosing an ES 300h with the Premium Package adds memory seating, bamboo wood trim, tilt and telescope steering, and keyless entry. Lexus offers three other packages called the Navigation/Premium Audio Package, Luxury Package, and Ultra Luxury Package.

Since this is a Lexus, the 2015 ES 300h also comes with some intangibles. Lexus has repeatedly topped reliability and quality rankings, and Lexus dealerships offer an ownership experience that can be matched, but not beaten. Finally, this vehicle will also have a potentially higher resale value than similar cars from Infiniti, Mercedes, Acura, and BMW (according to NADA).

There is no question that the ES 300h will be on the short list of green premium sedans. However, the 2015 Lexus ES 300h may also be a car worth considering for any midsize or large premium car shopper. The excellent cost of ownership and green credentials are just a bonus with the ES 300h.

Published May 31, 2022 by John Goreham

User reviews for 2015 Lexus ES Hybrid

Write a review
User rating:
by Phillip G
May 24, 2024
Cost is a little high. A Toyota will be cheaper May 24, 2024
by Al S
Oct 12, 2021
This car exceeded expectations in the quality of the ride and gas economy for the mid size luxury class. Toyota continues to deliver a quality hybrid since the introduction of its Camry hybrid in 2007. They continue to improve their gas/ electric offerings in terms of high quality, reliability and technology, especially if you are ready to go fully electric yet.Oct 12, 2021
by Daniel C
Sep 26, 2021
Best luxury sedan improved by the hybrid system for extra power, best braking and winter handling plus incredibly low gas consumption. Sep 26, 2021

2015 Lexus ES Hybrid Pricing

Original MSRP
N/A
Price range
$15,665 to $16,430
Average price on CG
$16,077
YoY price change
$15,944 to $16,077

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 · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB 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 · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: accessory hook · 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

Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: tilt/slide

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · 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: leatherette

Security

Power door locks: anti-lockout

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 14.8 · 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 read function · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

See all trims (1)