OG Lexus hybrid still delivers the goods
CORRECTION: This review incorrectly stated that the battery size on the Lexus ES300h was 29.1 kW. The correct battery size is 1.6 kWh.
Back in March, Lexus shed more light on its big electrification plans when it announced plans for 20 new models by 2025, with the bulk of them being battery electric (BEV) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV).
And their arrival isn’t far off, either. The first shot from the Lexus plug-in cannon will come near the end of the year when the 2022 NX compact crossover begins production at Toyota Canada’s Cambridge, Ontario plant. Gas and gas hybrid models will continue, but the second gen NX will be the first North American Lexus to offer a PHEV option.
What the NX plug-in and its forthcoming pure electric stablemates will mean for brand’s wide array of hybrid electrics (HEV), of which there are currently six (seven if you split RX and RX L), is an interesting question to ponder.
One of the older Lexus hybrids is the ES 300h, which joined the lineup with the sixth generation ES family in 2012. The current model went on sale when the seventh gen debuted in 2018 and will receive a mid-cycle facelift for 2022 along with the rest of the ES range.
These changes are cosmetic, however, and don’t impact the chassis or powertrain. The ES 300h will continue to be based upon the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TNGA-K) platform, which is shared with several Toyota / Lexus products, including the Toyota Camry and Avalon sedans. Also carrying over is the Lexus Hybrid Drive System, which consists of a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Combined, the system produces 215 horsepower, with 176 provided by the engine and 39 from the battery. Engine torque is rated at 163 lb-ft. Power is put to the ground through an electronically controlled CVT that drives the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available for the hybrid but can be had with the ES 250.
For 2021, the ES 300h essentially comes one way, but two packages are available for those seeking extra content. Luxury ($6,800) adds a driver’s seat power seat cushion extender, 4-way power adjustable driver seat lumbar support, wireless charging, premium triple-beam LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, P235/45R18 tires, ambient lighting, leather seating, adaptive front lighting system and a power rear window sunshade.
As you may have guessed, for the purposes of this review Lexus Canada set me up a press unit equipped with the latter package. My Atomic Silver tester finished in Chateau with Linear Dark Mocha Wood trim and semi-aniline leather carries an MSRP of $62,150 before freight and taxes.
Like many Lexus models of late, the current ES cuts a sleek and handsome profile. Long gone are the bland and dowdy ES sedans of old, cars that epitomized the notion of dull transportation appliance.
No more. The ES is now awash in interesting surface details, elegant creases and contours in its bodywork and sophisticated LED headlights and taillights that provide a degree of design depth this sedan lacked for much of its three-decade existence. This is car you won’t mind being seen in now, which is in stark contrast to the territory it occupied just a decade ago.
Same goes for the inside, where occupants are greeted with soft semi-aniline leather seating and the driver can wrap their hands around a leather-wrapped steering wheel finished with wood inlays and interact with soft-touch plastics and digital instrumentation. I’m not wild about the trackpad interface, as it tends to be needlessly fussy to use, but the infotainment UI is logical, and the 12.3-inch display is simply gorgeous.
The centre stack/console features climate controls that look somewhat dated, but I applaud the presence of a physical buttons and a traditional gear shifter. I’ve said it before and will say it again, this set-up is the most intuitive and easiest for drivers of all descriptions to use. Abandoning these standards in favour of touchscreens and rotary knobs and buttons are unfortunate industry trends, ones that I’m pleased to see Lexus resist.
In terms of the drive, the ES 300h is one of the quietest and most comfortable cars I’ve driven in 2021, and I’m in a new car every week. Chassis tuning feels to be on the softer (but not too soft) side, but not to the point of riding on a sofa. I should also note my drive was in early spring before winter tires were swapped out, so that’s also a factor, but I don’t imagine firmer all-seasons would change my impressions much.
Power delivery from the Lexus Hybrid Drive isn’t neck-snapping (nor is it designed to be) and the presence of different drive modes enable the driver to dial the experience more towards performance but doing so alters the proceedings only by degree. Bottom line, if you’re a Sport or Sport+ type, there are better Lexus options available.
For most of my week-long stint, I left my tester in normal mode, occasionally dipping into sport and eco to note the differences, but only briefly. I believe this is how most ES 300h owners will drive their cars – just get in and go. And while sport does sharpen throttle response somewhat, and eco will produce better fuel consumption, the appeal of the ES 300h lies in being able to drive it without changing drive modes and still enjoy good everyday performance and economy.
During my test, I averaged 6.1 L / 100 km during 355 kilometres of mixed city and highway driving. This is worse than the official rating, but still impressive, I think, for a mid-size premium sedan.
The ES 300h isn’t the sexiest Lexus on the road, nor is it the most exhilarating to drive – there are plenty of contenders for that crown – but it delivers an impressive premium experience that’s efficient and easy to live with everyday. And long may it run.
2021 Lexus ES 300h Specifications
BODY STYLE: mid-size premium hybrid sedan
DRIVE METHOD: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, electronic CVT
ENGINE: 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder / electric motor / lithium-ion battery (215 combined hp)
FUEL ECONOMY: (Regular 87) 5.5 / 5.2 / 5.3 L / 100 km city / highway / combined
CARGO VOLUME: 394 litres (13.9 cu-ft)
PRICE: $51,450 base, $62,150 as tested, excl. taxes
WEBSITE: www.lexus.ca
Keyword: Review: 2021 Lexus ES 300h