2021 Lexus ES 300h Review

　　

2021 Lexus ES 300h Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　While there are quite a few luxury hybrid vehicles available for 2021, most of them are plug-in hybrids. So what if you just want a regular hybrid to help keep cost and complexity in check? One option could be the Lexus ES 300h. This luxury sedan is comfortable and quiet and offers seriously impressive fuel economy. The EPA estimates that the 300h will get 44 mpg combined, which is excellent for any sedan, let alone a luxury ride.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Lexus ES 300h 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$87/mo  for ES 300h Base

　　ES 300h Base

　　4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $41,910 MSRPLuxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $47,110 MSRPUltra Luxury 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $50,910 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The 300h has some drawbacks, such as poor acceleration for its class and an infotainment system with a steep learning curve. But overall this is a pretty appealing sedan. For all the details on the ES 300h and how it performs in the real world, read our Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the ES 300h drive? You don't expect much vigor or verve from a luxury hybrid, but the ES 300h handles surprisingly well. It stays composed in corners, with better body control than you'd expect from a luxury sedan. The ES 300h isn't made for stoplight sprints, but acceleration is decent for a hybrid. In zzdcar testing it achieved a 0-60 mph time of 8.3 seconds.

　　The 300h's steering has the same numb, light effort that plagues many hybrids, although Sport mode gives it a livelier feel. Braking is unfortunately clunky, with a harsh sensation when the ES switches between its regenerative and friction brake modes. Otherwise, the engine and CVT automatic's smooth acceleration makes the ES a pleasure to drive, even in city traffic, where it feels like it's gliding.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the ES 300h? Comfort and a sense of isolation remain ES hallmarks. The front seats are firm and supportive, without excessive side bolsters to impede entry and exit. The rear seats are just as comfortable, if a bit wide and flat. You can sit up front or in back for long stretches without fatigue.

　　This latest 300h hasn't lost its ability to absorb bumps and road rash either. There's a bit of intrusive wind noise at highway speeds — more than we'd expect of a Lexus — but maybe it's just more noticeable since the car tames road and tire noise so well. Engine noise is almost imperceptible. More warmth from the seat heaters on cold days would be nice.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Getting in and out of the ES is no trouble thanks to the low seat cushions and wide door openings. There's also a good-size gap between front passengers and door panels that creates a feeling of space. There's loads of room in the back seat, especially between the seatbacks and knees, even for 6-foot-tall passengers.

　　Drivers of most heights and body types should find a comfortable driving position given the ES' power-adjustable seat and mostly clear views all around the car. Only the ES' incoherent array of buttons and switchgear is inexplicably inelegant in an otherwise elegant cabin. (The volume knob is great, though, and feels like an old-school stereo receiver.)

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Our test car came with the spectacular-looking 12-inch infotainment display. The widescreen navigation maps look great thanks to excellent color contrast and indicators. But using the touchpad controller while in motion is onerous; a dial-and-button controller would be preferable. Fortunately, you can control many nav, phone, audio and even climate control functions through voice commands.

　　The ES also includes several standard driver safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist, which help minimize lane wandering. This isn't semi-automated driving, and the degree of steering correction is limited, but it's useful for occasional lapses of attention.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? You get a big trunk with the ES 300h. The battery pack resides beneath the rear seats, so cargo space is 13.9 cubic feet, the same as in the non-hybrid ES. Unfortunately, you can't fold the rear seats to increase space; there's only a pass-through slot for long items.

　　Storage for small items inside the cabin is abundant. There's also plenty of space for child safety seats, and they're easy to install. Just detach the plastic tabs over the car seat anchors in the seat cushions. Generous rear-seat room means most seats will fit without a need for sliding up the front seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

9.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? With an EPA rating of 44 mpg combined, the ES 300h is one of the more efficient sedans you can buy. We observed 46.2 mpg on our evaluation route, which indicates that the EPA ratings are attainable.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the ES 300h a good value? For a relatively affordable sum, the redesigned ES 300h delivers a substantial luxury experience. The upholstery feels supple and substantial, and the cabin shows typical Lexus attention to detail: tight panel gaps, high-quality controls and detailed stitching. Warranty coverage is on par for the segment.

　　It doesn't cost much more than a top-of-the-line Toyota Avalon Hybrid. Why not splurge a bit and get the Lexus?

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The ES 300h isn't as fun to drive as more expensive European plug-in hybrids. But it excels in other ways. It's comfortable without being floaty, large without feeling ponderous, and serene without being detached. Sublime suspension tuning, a wonderful audio system, and a welcoming and roomy interior are other advantages.

　　

Which ES 300h does zzdcar recommend?

The base trim on the Lexus ES 300h comes relatively well equipped, but we recommend upgrading to the midlevel Luxury trim. On top of the standard equipment, the Luxury trim adds heated and ventilated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and upgraded interior materials including leather upholstery.

　　

2021 Lexus ES 300h models

The 2021 Lexus ES 300h is a midsize luxury sedan available in three trims: the base ES 300h, Luxury and Ultra Luxury. All trims are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor (215 total system horsepower) and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Only front-wheel drive is available.

　　Base

　　The base 300h gets an impressive number of standard features including:

　　LED headlights Sunroof Simulated-leather upholstery Power-adjustable front seats 8-inch central infotainment display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Wi-Fi hotspot 10-speaker sound systemStandard safety tech for the base 300h includes:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the ES back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)A Premium package adds:

　　Heated and ventilated front seats Driver-seat memory settings Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Power-folding mirrorsLuxury

　　The Luxury trim has the features of the Premium package plus:

　　Leather upholstery and wood trim Additional front seat adjustments Power rear sunshade Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)Ultra Luxury

　　The Ultra Luxury adds to the Luxury equipment with:

　　Heated steering wheel Manual rear door sunshades Upgraded suspension Hands-free trunk release Rear automatic braking with pedestrian detection (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)Other options include:

　　Navigation system with a 12.3-inch display 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system Wireless charging pad Head-up display

　　

2021 ES 300h Highlights

Trim: BaseLuxuryUltra LuxuryBase

　　

Base MSRP	$41,910
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	44 MPG
Cost to Drive	$87/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles