Lexus is Toyota's luxury-oriented subsidiary, launched in the late 1980s with the arrival of the LS 400 in showrooms across the US and other international markets. Since then, the brand has maintained an excellent reputation for reliability and build quality. The marque has shown the world that you don't need to choose between reliability and opulence. With a Lexus, you're allowed to have both at the same time.Because of Lexus' great reputation, its models tend to retain their values much longer than those of competitors' nameplates. This is especially the case with the sixth-gen ES, specifically the ES 300h, a mid-size hybrid sedan. While hearing the words "hybrid mid-size sedan" doesn't evoke apex-clipping, lap-record-setting performance, the ES 300h provides its owners with loads of reliability and value. What It Has To Offer LexusThe Lexus ES 300h was a new addition to the sixth-generation ES lineup in 2013. At the time, the sedan was distancing itself mechanically from the Toyota Camry, the ES's mass-market equivalent, and the model it was based on. Because Lexus wanted the sixth-gen ES to be less Camry-like and more luxurious, the ES 300h came well-equipped. It was offered only in a single trim level, with virtually all equipment standard, and only a few optional upgrades were available. Interior & Tech Features LexusAs with any luxury car, the cabin is the main focus of the sixth-gen ES 300h's opulent surroundings. As standard, it boasts seats trimmed with a special synthetic leather material called NuLuxe. The front seats offer 10-way power adjustment and heating, with ventilated front chairs as an optional upgrade. Genuine leather seats are also available for an extra fee. A power-sliding moonroof is standard, with a panoramic roof available. Dual-zone climate control is standard, along with a feature that allows the keyfob to remotely roll down the ES 300h's windows, a convenient feature on hot days.Lexus Sitting center-stage right on the dashboard is an 8.0-inch display. It's not a touchscreen system. Rather, it uses a cursor pad mounted on the center console. Reviews suggest it can be difficult to get used to operating. The system is hooked into an eight-speaker stereo that Lexus calls its "Premium Sound System." For a little extra coin, buyers could spring for a 12.3-inch screen with navigation. Customers could also upgrade to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. Exterior Features LexusOn the outside, the 2013-2018 Lexus ES 300h is more reserved than its glitzy cabin might suggest. If you squint at it, you can barely see its Toyota Camry-bred roots. On its front end, a pair of HID headlights sits with a strip of LED running lights along the bottom of the lamp housings. You could also have bi-level LED headlights on facelifted sixth-gen ES 300h models, those built between 2016 and 2018.Lexus Along its flanks are a set of standard 17-inch alloy wheels. A set of 18-inch rims could be had for an additional charge, along with body-side moldings. A pair of "Hybrid" badges is mounted right on the bottom of both rear doors. At its rear is a pair of L-shaped taillights. Padding the exterior options list further is a small trunk spoiler. Fuel Efficiency LexusAs a hybrid, fuel efficiency is one of the vehicle's strong suits. The 2013 ES300h achieves 40 miles per gallon in the city, 39 mpg on the highway, and a combined 40 mpg, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The sedan can go up to 696 miles between fill-ups and uses regular 87-octane gasoline. The results give the 2013 Lexus ES 300h the best-in-class for fuel economy among mid-size luxury sedans produced during that year. Let's see how its combined rating stacks up to some of the competitors: Clinging On (To Value) For Dear Life LexusIt shouldn't come as a surprise. The sixth-gen Lexus ES 300h maintains a large portion of its original value for up to 13 years after launch. This is great news for current ES 300h owners, because holding value helps tremendously when it comes time to sell. Those who want to get themselves into a sixth-gen ES 300h may not be as excited about its value. The table below shows the sedan's depreciation across six model years:The ES 300h's relatively high value becomes more evident when comparing its depreciation against competitors. After all, as we said before, some brands hold onto their values, while others tend to drop in value like crazy, especially when it comes to luxury automakers. This time, let's look at CarEdge data about the 2018 model-year residual value for the ES 300h alongside some other of its adversaries' values: Just How Reliable Is It? LexusSitting under the hood is a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine from Toyota's AR engine family. Specifically, the mill goes by the code name "2AR-FXE" and makes a total system output of 200 horsepower. It takes advantage of a 12.5:1 compression ratio, low-tension piston rings for reduced cylinder wall friction, and a lack of an accessory or serpentine belt. Hooked up to the humble Atkinson-cycle engine is a hybrid system that uses a 244.8-volt nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery mounted behind the rear seats. An eCVT handles the hybrid mill's power and drives the front wheels.According to RepairPal, the Lexus ES 300h ranks third out of 31 luxury mid-size sedans for reliability and scores an "Excellent" reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Adding to the dependability equation is an estimated annual repair cost of just $542, compared to $739 on average for the segment. It also boasts an astoundingly low severe repair probability of just 4%, compared to a 12% average. Verdict LexusIt's hard to ignore a used Lexus sedan, regardless of the model. They all seem to boast similar attractive attributes: value for money, reliability, and excellent build quality. The sixth-gen ES 300h is no exception, particularly in the dependability department. Plus, it offers impressive fuel economy, especially in an era of near-record gas prices. Tracking down a used example would be a great way to get into something comfortable and well-equipped. Plus, the sedan is going to retain its value when the time comes for you to get something new. In this author's mind, the 2013 to 2018 Lexus ES 300h is a solid choice.
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