Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Ultra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
At the mercy of the Lexus ES 300h, the other competitors do not offer the all-round mastery of the automotive vehicle that comes from the land of the rising sun.
For the 2019 model year, Lexus has given its mid-range executive sedan a complete overhaul. The 2019 ES 300h gets an improved drivetrain which is quieter and more efficient than before. The redesign also brings in updated interiors which now feel more or less like the flagship LS, making this new ES a surreal place to be in. Let’s see how the ES 300h fairs against its closest rivals.
The 2019 Lexus ES 300h is available in only one trim, which costs a moderately high amount of $41,820. For that money, you get a lot of bells and whistles, along with the impressively well-finished cabin. Space inside is quite generous, which is usually expected from a car in this price range.
Trim |
ES 300h |
---|---|
MSRP |
$41,820 |
Key Features |
An efficient hybrid powertrain returns high fuel economy |
Luxurious interior with impressive fit and finish |
|
Plenty of rear legroom, even for tall passengers |
|
Lots of standard driver aids, and plenty of optional ones |
We recommend
There is only one trim available, and it is a good one too. There are various options though, which increase the price steeply. Choose only the options you might need or the ones that don't dent your budget.
The Lexus ES 300h is powered by two different mini power plants, a gasoline engine, and an electric motor. The gasoline engine is a 2.5 liter inline 4, with intelligent variable valve timing to improve efficiency. The other is a high output, permanent magnet, electric drive motor, which can operate independently from the engine. The combined output is 200 horsepower, and 156 pound-feet of torque, which isn't earth shattering figures.
Even with the low output, the instant torque from the electric motor delivers great relief, along with a wave of torque. The gasoline engine delivers power to the front wheels via an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission, which is efficient even though it isn't sporty.
Models |
2019 Lexus ES 300h |
2019 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere |
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus |
2019 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid LUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$41,820 |
$35,605 |
$37,500 |
$50,600 |
Engine |
2.5L l4 |
2.0L l4 |
2.5L l4 |
3.5L l6 |
Transmission |
CVT Automatic |
CVT Automatic |
CVT Automatic |
7-Speed Automatic |
Horsepower |
200 HP |
188 HP |
200 HP |
360 HP |
Torque |
156 lb.-ft. |
129 lb.-ft. |
156 lb.-ft. |
258 lb.-ft. |
The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is slightly less powerful than the Lexus, and the Toyota Avalon Hybrid makes the same power and torque figures. The Infiniti Q50 Hybrid is the most powerful car in this comparison and by quite a margin.
The only problem with a heavy luxury car is poor performance, and that is compounded by the fact the Lexus ES 300h has a very modest amount of power.
It takes a lethargic 8.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, and a quarter-mile comes up in 15.8 seconds. It also has various driving modes to select for different types of driving.
Models |
2019 Lexus ES 300h |
2019 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere |
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus |
2019 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid LUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
8.1 sec |
7.1 sec |
6.1 sec |
5.0 |
Quarter mile |
15.8 sec |
16.6 sec |
14.5 sec |
13.5 |
Engine |
2.5L |
2.0L |
2.5L |
3.5L |
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year) |
7.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
6.1 |
The Lincoln is a whole second quicker than the Lexus to the 60 mph mark, which isn't impressive either. The Toyota is quicker by another second, which although still not quick, isn't too bad either. The Infinity is quicker still by another second, which brings it closer to acceptable levels of performance.
Braking duties on the Lexus are handled by both traditional and modern means. There are ventilated discs in the front, solid discs in the rear, and regenerative braking all around. Combined with a curb weight of over 3 and a half thousand pounds, the car takes a moderate 126-feet.
The Lexus ES 300h is focused more on comfort than handling, and as such is not the most entertaining car to drive. The brakes take but a mere touch to engage, as the braking regenerative system lies waiting for an opportunity. Although, the spongy pedal robs the system of any proper feedback. Even the steering is devoid of any feedback, which makes the driving experience less than enjoyable.
Model |
2019 Lexus ES 300h |
2019 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere |
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus |
2019 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid LUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
11.6 |
12.4 |
11.7 |
12.6 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
11.0 |
12.4 |
11.1 |
12.1 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3,682 |
3,871 |
3,594 |
4,015 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
126 |
116 |
118 |
121 |
The competition is better in braking than the Lexus, although just by a hair's breadth. None of the cars here have great handling, and all of them offer excellent rides. The Infinity is the heaviest car here, and although the weight doesn't affect the performance, it does affect the handling a lot.
The primary job of every hybrid car is to be the most fuel-efficient automobile ever designed. The Lexus works great in that regard, achieving 40 miles per gallon in the city and 39 on the highway. The overall fuel economy figure reaches the 40 miles per gallon mark.
Model |
2019 Lexus ES 300h |
2019 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere |
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus |
2019 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid LUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
40 |
41 |
40 |
27 |
MPG (highway) |
39 |
38 |
39 |
32 |
MPG (combined) |
40 |
40 |
40 |
29 |
The Lincoln is slightly more efficient than the Lexus in the city, and a little less on the highway, which brings the overall efficiency level up to the same 40 miles per gallon mark. The Toyota posts the same figures as the Lexus, while the heaviest and the most powerful Infinity is the least efficient car here.
Similar to all Lexus cars, the ES 300h has a very comfortable ride, complemented by a very plush and comfy interior. The suspension is set up a little too soft, which hampers the 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.
Model |
2019 Lexus ES 300h |
2019 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere |
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus |
2019 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid LUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.5/57.6/41.9 |
37.9/57.7/44.3 |
37.6/58.2/42.1 |
39.5/56.7/44.5 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.5/55.0/40.0 |
36.5/55.3/37.0 |
37.9/57/39.2 |
36.8/56.1/35.1 |
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.
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:
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.
Model |
2019 Lexus ES 300h |
2019 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere |
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus |
2019 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid LUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume with 2nd row up (ft.3) |
12.1 |
11.1 |
14.0 |
9.4 |
All the cars here have small trunks, with the Infiniti Q50 deserving a special mention. Its lack of space is downright hurtful, and if you plan to ever have luggage in the back, then this is the one car you should steer clear of.
The Lexus belongs to the midsize luxury sedan segment and has moderate dimensions and is 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 speed bumps and loitering rocks on the road. Even the wheelbase is long, to free as much space in the cabin as possible.
Model |
2019 Lexus ES 300h |
2019 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premiere |
2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE Plus |
2019 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid LUXE |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs.) |
3,682 |
3,871 |
3,594 |
4,015 |
Length(in) |
193.3 |
194.1 |
195.3 |
189.6 |
Width(in) |
71.7 |
73.4 |
72.2 |
71.8 |
Height(in) |
57.1 |
58.1 |
57.5 |
57.2 |
Ground clearance (in) |
5.9 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
5.1 |
Wheelbase (in) |
111.0 |
112.2 |
111.0 |
112.2 |
Track width (in) F/R |
62.6/62.0 |
62.3/62.0 |
62.6/62.2 |
60.4/61.4 |
The competition has nearly the same dimensions and weight as the Lexus, except the Infinity Q50 hybrid, which is quite a bit smaller yet a lot heavier. All the cars have a large wheelbase 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:
The 2019 Lexus ES 300h comes fitted with a lot of safety equipment to keep its passengers safe. The standard safety features are as follows:
Overall Rating |
5 Star |
---|---|
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating |
4 Star |
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver |
5 Star |
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger |
4 Star |
Overall Side Crash Rating |
5 Star |
Side Barrier Rating |
5 Star |
Side Barrier Rating Driver |
5 Star |
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat |
5 Star |
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat |
5 Star |
Combined Side Rating Front Seat |
5 Star |
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat |
5 Star |
Rollover Rating |
4 Star |
The Lincoln MKZ hybrid Premiere is a great car at a great price and is most 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, 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.
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.
The Infiniti 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 was 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.