Used 2021 Lexus ES 300h for sale 

A good feature set is offset slightly by a frustrating infotainment interface in the 2021 Lexus ES- The Car Connection

The 2021 Lexus ES 300h is available in three different trims- Base, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury. The Base trim starts with a selling price of $41,910 and it ranges up to $50,910 for the top-end Ultra Luxury trim, excluding a $1,025 destination fee. All these trims are powered by the same engine and are FWD models. The Base trim gets the most comfort and luxury features but additional features join the list as you move up the trim table. 

Only the Base trim sits on 17-inch wheels while the higher models replace it with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. Similarly, some interior and infotainment features also differ trim-wise. An 8-inch display is standard on the Base and the Luxury trims while the Ultra Luxury model gets the latest 12.3-inch display. Regardless of screen size, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. When it comes to safety, Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is standard on all the models. 

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 We’d recommend you go for the Luxury trim as this trim level adds a number of highlights to the Lexus ES 300h. Some added features over the base trim are a 14-way power driver's seat with heated and ventilated function, 18-inch wheels, a power steering wheel, and a rear sunshade. Some safety features are also added such as rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. 

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Around town, smooth acceleration and imperceptible gear changes make the ES a pleasure to drive- Edmunds

The 2021 Lexus ES 300h is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder engine mated to a new 29.1 kWh lithium-ion battery that churns out 215 hp and 163 lb-ft. of torque. It is paired with a CVT transmission to send the power to all four wheels as the AWD system is standard. This new lithium-ion battery replaces the previously available nickel-metal hydride battery.  However, this change of battery pack aims more at improving the efficiency of the hybrid sedan rather than enhancing the performance on offer. 

The 2021 ES 300h is one of the best driving dynamics in its class. Its handling characteristics are improved compared to the outgoing model due to the repositioning of the battery while the body roll is very well controlled. The 2021 ES 300h covers those harsh edges of the road but without ever becoming jarring or too firm. The steering feel could be a little firmer and the turn-in could be a little crisper but all things considered, the steering is precise. The 2021 ES 300h also has torque vectoring that helps you to corner better. 

The 2021 ES 300h is not that impressive when it comes to acceleration. The 0-60 MPH sprint is covered in 7.8 seconds while the quarter-mile test is finished in 16 seconds. Comparatively, these figures are not that great but this sedan is aimed at providing comfort and luxury rather than sportiness. The 2021 ES 300h 4-wheel disc brakes handle this sedan's braking performance. The 12-inch discs in the front and 11.1-inch discs at the back are strong enough to stop the 2021 ES 300h from 60-0 MPH in 126 feet. 

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid makes 362 horses and hence, it has the best performance stats in this competition. With relatively less power than the E-Class, the BMW 5 Series PHEV's acceleration is quite good for its size. Having the same powertrain as the ES 300h, the Toyota Avalon shares the last place with Lexus. 

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 Fuel efficiency is maintained by the rear axle's prop shaft disengaging when AWD isn't necessary- Carbuzz

Class-leading fuel economy can be a tricky claim sometimes but it's actually pretty easy with the 2021 Lexus ES 300h. That's because it returns 43 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on a highway. At 44 MPG combined, the 2021 ES 300h is the most efficient luxury car in its class. The 2021 ES 300h can drive up to 581 miles combined before refueling thanks to its 13.2-gallon fuel tank. 

Also, Lexus has made a very important change in this aspect this year. The old nickel-metal hydride battery is replaced by a lithium-ion battery which led to a reduction of 4.7 inches in height. The battery goes behind the rear seats, reducing the trunk volume but giving better front-to-rear weight distribution. This further improves the handling characteristics of the 2021 ES 300h. 

The ES 300h and its sibling, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid are the most fuel-efficient cars in their class. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid returns 18 MPG combined less than the ES 300h. With a plug-in, the BMW 5 Series PHEV returns 64 MPGe combined, which is average for its class. 

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Every ES enjoys impeccable cabin construction- Autotrader

The interior of the 2021 Lexus ES 300h is a symphony of really well-put-together soft leather. Attention to detail and quality is what bewilders people in terms of stitching. The dashboard has a sort of layered design that blends nicely with the interior. Leather upholstery is standard in the 2021 ES 300h. The front seats boast extreme levels of comfort and support, especially the driver's seat as the steering wheel is power-adjustable. The front seats are also power-adjustable and also get heated and ventilated functions as standard. 

At the back, the passengers will enjoy a comfy cruise just like the front. The rear seat reclines up to 8 degrees which is good enough to lay back on a tiring day.at work. Speaking of space, well that’s in abundance inside the 2021 ES 300h. It offers more than ample space to all the passengers be it in the front or at the back. Swapping the old nickel-metal hydride battery with a new lithium-ion battery reduces the cargo capacity from 16.7 cu-ft. to 13.9 cu-ft. However, the sedan can carry a couple of suitcases but the rear seats don't fold. 

The rear passenger space and cargo storage offered in the Toyota Avalon is the best in this competition. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid offers more shoulder room than the ES 300h but the rear legroom is less along with the BMW 5 Series PHEV. Also, the latter is the least practical sedan here. The lower trims get an 8-inch screen while the top-end Ultra Luxury trim upgrades that to a 12.3-inch screen. The instrument is customizable and measures 7 inches in size. The infotainment system features some connectivity features such as Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM, etc.

Speaking of sound, only the Ultra Luxury trim comes with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system while the lower two trims settle for a decent sound system with 10 speakers. This infotainment system is criticized for its intuitive interface as it is controlled through a touchpad controller on the center console. The infotainment control is a little fiddly to use and can distract the drivers while driving. This direction is something Lexus needs to go away from. There are several buttons below the screen for easy change of climate and volume settings. Some of the most eminent standard interior and infotainment features are:

• 14-way power driver's seat with 4-way power lumbar support
• 10-way power passenger's seat
• Heated & ventilated front leather seats
• Power tilt & telescopic multi-function steering wheel 
• Ambient lighting
• Power tailgate
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 8 & 12.3-inch screen with Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
• 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system
• Wireless charging

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The fashion these days is for sedans to have a fastback roofline, much like a typical coupe- Kelly Blue Book

The 2021 Lexus ES 300h is inspired by the LS in terms of design as Lexus is heading towards a family-oriented look like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. At the front-end, everything sort of converges into one point. You get a whole bunch of slashes, lines, and cuts that tend to come towards the Lexus logo in the middle. You also get the bolder spindle grill with a wavy insert and triple LED lights, again inspired by the LS. Compared to its rivals, the 2021 ES 300h sits 5.9 inches from the ground, good enough to escape hose high bumps on the road. 

Another cool highlight of the 2021 ES 300h is the sloping roofline from the side view which makes it very coupe-like. But the design is implemented in such a way that it does not affect the rear passenger's comfort. Also, the 18-inch wheels with a deep chrome finish look fantastic. On that note, its wheelbase measures 113 inches, which is the smallest in its class. The design at the rear is also interesting. There are a lot of steps from the boot lid to the taillights that oozes street presence. Overall, the design language of the 2021 ES 300h is truly mind-blowing.

The BMW 5 Series PHEV has the widest wheelbase of about 4.1 inches more than ES 300h. This reflects in its in-cabin space. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid sits lower than the ES 300h at 3.8 inches. This helps for better stability and handling at high speeds. Although the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and the ES 300h are related few things such as its weight, weight, and overall length differ. Some other exterior highlights are:

• LED headlamps, DRLs, & tail lamps
• Puddle lamps
• Door courtesy lights
• Power-folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors
• 16 & 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dual exhaust chrome tips
• Grey grille
• Chrome window trim

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The ES comes with Lexus’ Safety System 2.0+ which is one of our favorite driver-assist systems- CarProUSA

In terms of safety, the 2021 Lexus ES 300h received a 5-star rating from NHTSA. IIHS didn't particularly rate the 2021 ES 300h but its gasoline-powered sibling, the ES 350. Since both are built on the same platforms, we are considering the latter's ratings. IIHS honored with the 'Top Safety Pick+' award for its consistently good performance in all crash tests. 

That award credit goes not only for its strong body structure for its driver-assist systems as well. The 2021 ES 300h comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 which includes bundles of top safety technologies that can prevent the risk of an accident and keep the passengers safe. As if that's not enough, the sedan is also installed with 10 airbags. The most prominent safety features are:

• Rearview Camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic High-Beam Headlights
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Surround-View Camera
• Road Sign Recognition

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2021 Lexus ES 300h vs 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

The Toyota Avalon Hybrid is basically a mechanical twin of the ES 300h. This means that its on-road performance, fuel economy are the same but there are some differences worth pointing out. Starting with the price, the Avalon is around $4,800 cheaper than the ES 300h. Further differences can be spotted in the interior. The rear-seat space in the Avalon is slightly more than ES 300h but cannot be compared with Lexus' luxury. Also, its cargo space is about 2.2 cu-ft. more than Lexus. In terms of safety, the Avalon couldn't manage to bag the 'Top Safety Pick+' award like the ESS 300h. 

2021 Lexus ES 300h vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid is the most expensive car in this competition with a price difference of more than $20k. It makes 147 horsepower more than the ES 300h and therefore, it performs the best in both performance tests. Of course, this has an impact on the fuel economy and it is less fuel-efficient. On the inside, the legroom offered in the rear row is less than the ES 300h but it manages to keep up in terms of cargo capacity. The E-Class Hybrid did not win top awards in safety like the ES 300h but its extensive list of safety features is quite convincing. 

2021 Lexus ES 300h vs 2021 BMW 5 Series PHEV

Priced at $57,200, the BMW 5 Series PHEV is the second most expensive car in this competition. It houses a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is strong enough to beat the ES 300h in both performance tests. When the 5 Series PHEV uses only gas as a source of power, it easily loses to the ES 300h in terms of fuel economy. It further fails to offer enough passenger space in the rear row as the ES 300h while its trunk volume is the least in this competition. Although the 5 Series boasts good safety ratings from the safety agencies, it didn't win the 'Top Safety Pick+' award like Lexus.

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The 2021 Lexus ES 300h has always been a prime contender in the entry-level luxury hybrid sedan segment. Now, with the anticipated introduction of a new Li-ion battery, the ES 300h further strengthens its case. The 2021 ES 300h is the ideal blend of stately interiors and intimidating street presence paired with preeminent fuel efficiency. It will not leave you excited every time you pin the throttle, but that’s just not what this sedan was designed for. Apart from that, the ES 300h nails it on every intended aspect.

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