Overview & Reviews

While you won't often find the phrases "luxury sedan" and "fuel-efficient" used in the same sentence, the Lexus ES 300h proves that the two ideas aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.

Based on the latest incarnation of the luxury automaker's ES 350 sedan, the midsize Lexus ES 300h benefits from that model's recent upgrades, including a roomier backseat and suspension and steering refinements designed to make the driving experience more engaging. What sets the ES 300h apart, though, is what's under the hood, namely a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain that returns EPA fuel economy estimates of 40 mpg in combined city and highway driving.

Current Lexus ES 300h
The Lexus 300h is a hybrid-powered version of the automaker's midsize ES 350 entry-level luxury sedan. It's offered in a single trim level with standard features that include 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery, power front seats, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker sound system. Major options, most of which are offered in packages, include xenon headlights, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, a navigation system and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system.

Moving all this down the road is a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and battery pack for a total output of 200 horsepower. Power flows to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Acceleration is respectable -- expect a 0-60 mph time of about 8 seconds -- but the true draw here is fuel economy. The EPA estimates you'll get 40 mpg in combined driving. That's below Toyota Prius territory, but it's still very good and one of the best ways to save gas while still driving a luxury car.

The Lexus ES 300h's interior is well built and attractive, especially with the optional leather upholstery and bamboo wood trim. Front and rear seats offer plenty of room and most gauges and controls are straightforward and easy to use, though the optional Lexus Remote Touch System with its mouselike interface takes some getting used to. Some trunk space has been lost due to the car's battery pack, but there's still a very useful 15.2 cubic feet available.

From behind the steering wheel, the ES 300h offers a classy driving experience, with the hushed interior complemented by the quiet all-electric propulsion that kicks in at low speeds. Though the ES is far from sporty, the powertrain delivers ample acceleration, while the recalibrated steering and suspension hardware give it a more precise feel than previous models. Ride quality is luxury sedan smooth, with pavement irregularities effectively quelled well before they can reach the occupants.

Used Lexus ES 300h Models
The Lexus ES 300h debuted for the 2013 model year. There have been no major changes since.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 23.00

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  great - 2014 Lexus ES 300h
  By brendan23 - December 15 - 3:58 pm

  it is a great car and i have been getting 40 mpg on the road. i dont get how people get like 26 mpg they must be driving fast.

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  All I expected but . . . - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By selkirk2 - December 5 - 11:24 am

  Owned my ES300h for six months and have enjoyed almost everything about the car. It is perfect, for me, except that the fuel consumption (mainly in town), is poor averaging between 7.2 and 7.9 litres per 100 kms - Lexus tell me it will improve but so far no joy. Probably biggest irritation is the GPS - only one voice available and that not to my liking; no Spanish or French option; and it seldom understands my (english) accent! Oh, and the trunk is small. Otherwise, beautiful car. Happy camper I am.

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  After 4 years, finally found the car we wanted... - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By mdsofky - November 19 - 12:07 am

  My wife and I had been looking for four years to replace our 12 year old Honda Accord EX (which we loved and still runs well). We started casually looking on our anniversary weekend four years ago, but wanted lots of tech, and options that wouldnt be outdated soon. Wanted Bluetooth (phone and audio), blind-side detection, apps (Pandora, etc.), hybrid technology for good gas mileage (that didnt "feel" or look like traditional hybrid), nice quality, etc. We had looked at a Ford Fusion, Honda Accord (although I know there is not a hybrid yet), Buick Regal, Buick Verano (like our Buick Enclave a lot so were considering other Buicks). Ended up test driving ES300h and knew this was the one.

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  Lovn this car - 2014 Lexus ES 300h
  By mpgsaver13 - September 26 - 9:59 pm

  Ive owned this car for two months now and feel ready to give a review. I traded in my 06 Acura TL. My daily commute is 140 hwy miles round trip (Oakland to Stockton, CA). I drive over two large hill ranges, dare I say, one is mountainous. 98% of my driving is hwy miles and my mileage is amazing. If I drive 70-75 mph, Ill get 39-41mpg, while if I go 65-69 mph, I can get 42 mpg. Ive tried just about every way to drive. Easy going, to "really" easy going and in ECO mode gets me the same as in Normal mode. In sport mode and driving really hard Im getting 34- 35 but again thats fast at every turn, on ramp, and passing other cars.

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  Great Car with Disappointing MPG - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By max55fisher - August 10 - 2:12 am

  My wife and I find the car a joy to ride in and drive. The seats are especially supportive and comfortable and long road trips are a pleasure. The ride is smooth, the acceleration is powerful and makes merging with traffic, under any condition, a breeze. The cabin is very quite and theres plenty of room both front and rear. We are a bit disappointed with the mileage weve been getting, though. The car computer calculation differs by about 7-10% from what I calculate. Weve been averaging 37-38 mpg for mixed city/highway driving. We were expecting better! Overall we thing its a great car and wed buy it again.

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  First time hybrid owner - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By johnnyrainbow - December 16 - 8:50 pm

  Up until now, hybrids looked like, well.....hybrids. Little bug like vehicles that got great mileage but thats where it stopped. This thing, this 300h, has the looks, reliability, fuel efficiency, comfort and luxury weve been waiting for. Being only $2,500.00 more than its gas only brother, the ES350, Lexus did us a great favor. The extra dollars spent up front really gets made up in the great fuel economy in just a few years, versus 10-12 years with a lot of hybrids.

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  Baby on board - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By einstone - December 2 - 12:28 pm

  Excellent car, i upgraded from BMW. My wife has to ride with our baby in the back, and the leg space is really incredible i trade with her some times too and love it but roof could be a bit higher for long torso man that i am. we also had an 08 Xterra SUV and ES has way more leg space in the back! MPG 32 city (we live in a up and down area) combined is 35.5 and on a freeway close to 40 that is with all 5 seats occupied and trunk full of Costco goods, 15 gal fuel (91 premium).

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  Lexus surprises me again - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By jay24 - February 25 - 10:05 am

  I took delivery of this car recently for my wife. This is the third Lexus I have owned in the last 20 years. The car has attributes that arent discussed in reviews. Example it emits an purposeful sound when driving slowly in EV mode to alert pedestrians to your presence. The stereo without the Mark Levinson upgrade is impressive especially with a whisper quiet interior. As to noise levels, Lexus has not insulated us from outside sounds but dialed them down somehow. I like the ratcheted head rests and the seats. I see no need for a gear shift yet one is there. Interior lighting is dynamic in that evidently it changes depending on what you are doing.

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  Two Lexus ES300h Great gas mileage - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By steising - January 18 - 12:29 am

  I bought 2 ES300h hybrids in December 2012. My wife and I drive them to work every day. I keep meticulous records and since the first day I bought the cars I get an actual 40.1 mpg and my wife gets 36 mpg. I get better gas mileage in the city than on the highway. The last two months I have been getting about 45.5 mpg and my has been getting 38.5. We love this car. We traded in 2011 ES350 and 2011 RX450s. We went from 25 mpg in the ES and 17 mpg with premium gas in the RX. I read a review for the ES300h 2014 where the person said they were getting 25 mpg. They must drive poorly as I drive 5 miles over the speed limit everywhere I go and I get the mpg on the sticker.

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  Extraordinary Hybrid - 2014 Lexus ES 300h
  By rzca - October 9 - 10:14 am

  We traded our RX 450 h, which we loved, for a bit better fuel mileage - boy did we get it. Driving home from the dealer, all highway, the car averaged 39 MPG at speeds between 65 and 75. It was smooth, eerily quiet and handled extremely well. If you dont drive it like a race car and accelerate smoothly and hold your speeds nicely, you WILL get the mileage claimed. Others who complain about the mileage do NOT drive that way - we have owned five hybrids and that IS always the case. The complainers never drive the way the car was designed. We also love the lengthened body - it provides a great deal of leg room in the back - our taller, larger passengers love it!