Review – Lexus ES 300h F Sport (2024), how nice is it?

Business limousine

The business limousine segment is under a bit of pressure.
Sales numbers are no longer as high as they were a few years ago.
People now simply want a crossover with “a higher seating position.
Too bad really, because a business limousine is still a fantastic choice for the family.
You have space and yet a favorable streamline.
And the often longer wheelbase creates a wonderful balance in the car.
This Lexus ES is no exception.
As far as we are concerned, this car is an unappreciated gem in the segment in which the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class also operate.
This Japanese sedan possesses more qualities than you might think.

Lexus ES 300h

First, some background on the Lexus ES.
In 2018, the Lexus ES was introduced in Western and Central European markets as the ES 300h.
In other markets, the ES also comes with different gasoline engines: the ES 200, the ES 250 and the ES 350.
In the Netherlands, therefore, we have to make do with the hybrid version.
This hybrid powertrain delivers 160 kW (218 hp).
That is not excessive power, but it does give the ES a pleasant acceleration.
In terms of top speed, Lexus gives 180 km/h.
Average fuel consumption is particularly favorable.
With calm driving, you can easily achieve 1:20.
In this segment, that is exceptionally decent.

A best seller!

By the way, did you know that in 2023, the Lexus ES was the second best-selling Lexus of all time.
Only the Lexus RX was more popular that year, with 3.6 million sales worldwide.
More than three million of the ES have been sold worldwide since 1989. So it is an absolute best seller.
And yet the model never really broke through in the Netherlands.
Is it because of a “German preference”?
Perhaps, but people are leaving a gem of a car behind with the ES.
After all, this is a well-built, spacious family sedan.
Granted: it’s not cheap.
After all, prices start at just under 63,000 euros for the Comfort Line.
Prices go up to just under 80,000 euros.
In return you get a warranty period of up to 10 years or 200,000 kilometers.
But that is an afterthought.

Hours of road trips

The best advice we can give is to drive the Lexus ES once.
The car has a very fine balance in the suspension that makes it effortless to drive for hours on end, even at higher speeds on the autobahn.
The car is solid on the road and inspires confidence.
There is also plenty of steering feel present.
Okay, the seats may have slightly too short seats, but overall this really is a fine travel car.

New infotainment system

Since 2023, you’ve also been provided with more conveniences.
In that year, the Lexus ES got a new multimedia system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Also new is the F SPORT Design trim, which gives the car a chic and sporty look. The ES’s new multimedia system is not only faster than the system it replaces, but also offers more intuitive operation and improved functionality.
New features include smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation and voice recognition.
The built-in assistant “Hey Lexus” responds to voice commands.

Revised center console

The center console of the Lexus ES was also revised for the 2023 model year.
It now accommodates two cup holders and places the wireless charger outside the console box for easier access. Where previously there were two USB-A ports and one aux port, there is now one USB-A port for playing high-resolution audio sources and one USB-C port for charging devices.

F Sport Design

The appearance of the ES F Sport Design is inspired by the sporty ES F Sport Line and can be recognized by its sporty appearance.
The new version is available in ten different exterior colors and four different exterior colors and features black 19-inch alloy wheels and an F SPORT Design badge on the front fenders as standard.

Technical specifications Lexus ES 300h

• 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine
• Gasoline engine power: 131 kW (178 hp).
• Torque petrol engine: 221 Nm
• Power electric motor: 88 kW (120 hp)
• Electric motor torque: 202 Nm
• System power: 160 kW (218 hp)
• Top speed: 180 km/h
• 0-100: 8.9 seconds
• Average consumption: 5.1 to 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers
• Roadworthy weight: 1,755 kilograms roadworthy (1,655 kg unladen)
• Fuel tank: 50 liters
• Luggage space: 454 liters
• Length: 4,975 mm
• Width: 1,865 mm
• Height: 1,445 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,870 mm

Conclusion review Lexus ES 300h

Well, the Lexus ES is just a wonderful travel car.
The CVT transmission may take some getting used to, but soon you don’t know any better.
Yes, when throttle input is strong, the engine spools up to a higher rpm, but thanks to the extensive sound insulation you don’t experience that noise as annoying.
The car is quiet, comfortable, spacious, practical and actually a friend to everyone.
Because all systems are easy to operate and Lexus sticks to analogue push buttons.
So you do not have to search for a long time for the desired function.
That is sometimes a different story with competitors from Germany.

1000 KM TEST – Does the LEXUS ES300h outperform the A6, 5 SERIE and E-CLASS? – REVIEW – AutoRAI TV