The current-generation Toyota Prius remains an impressively competitive product in the new vehicle market, taking the fight directly to the immensely popular crossover and SUV segment. The Prius shows us that there is still a strong demand for competitively priced compact hatchbacks that return good reliability and efficiency ratings. While a lot more upmarket than previous iterations, the new Toyota Prius remains a budget offering with some compromised interior fittings. If luxury is a must for you, and you don’t mind diving into the used vehicle market, there is a lot of value in considering a used 2019 Lexus ES 300h. This midsize premium sedan is based on the Toyota Camry, but benefits from the Japanese brand’s luxury arm’s upmarket interior quality.
The Lexus ES 300h is a rare case of a premium HEV sedan that holds its value impressively well in the used market, which is why you have to stretch as far as six years to match the Prius’s base MSRP. We also have to point out that we’ve matched it against the Prius’s starting price, as this is a more appropriate comparison. This model also forms part of the current-generation ES range, which will soon become two generations old when the all-new ES generation arrives in the U.S. sometime next year. Despite its age, the six-year-old Lexus ES 300h is a commendable used sedan consideration, as you’ll get to benefit from a high level of luxury without compromising efficiency or reliability.
The Lexus ES Is A Budget-Beating Used Luxury HEV
According to J.D. Power‘s valuation of the 2019 Lexus ES 300h, 80 percent of people currently pay $28,175 for the 2019 Lexus ES 300h, with overall prices ranging between $23,759 and $26,263, depending on specification, condition, and mileage. The 2026 Toyota Prius range currently starts at $28,550 for the base LE derivative. The iSeeCars valuation system returns similar metrics, with an average used price of $29,201, but with a much broader price range of $17,806 to $30,164. When new six years ago, the ES 300h would have cost you $41,560 direct from the dealership.
How The 2019 Lexus ES Hybrid Will Hold Up
As per the iSeeCars overview, the 2019 Lexus ES 300h boasts a predicted $19,637 or 45.2 percent value loss over five years or 60,000 miles, which is on par with what we see today. The publication also issues the model with an 8.6/10 reliability score, indicating that the HEV sedan will run for 14.9 years or 166,144 miles before experiencing any noteworthy mechanical issues. Joining this is a 27.3-percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles.
The model currently features a 4.5/5-star rating on the Edmunds owner review page, with 64 percent of the 33 reviewers giving it five stars. Standout positives include a high comfort level, impressive reliability and interior quality, and a comprehensive standard safety package. Downsides include the infotainment system, poor handling characteristics, and inconsistent brakes.
The Lexus Sedan Leading in Reliability — And The German Rival Nipping At Its Heels
The Lexus ES continues to set the benchmark for luxury sedan reliability while the Mercedes E-Class closes the gap.
The ES Hybrid’s Impactful Drivetrain
The Lexus ES 300h features an identical powertrain to the Toyota Camry, which consists of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine connected to a pair of permanent-magnet-synchronous motors. Unlike the Camry, you can only have the ES 300h with the front-wheel-drive system, producing a combined 215 horsepower. In true Toyota fashion, there are no official torque figures.
Naturally, you shouldn’t expect the best performance from this model. Lexus claims that the ES 300h will sprint from zero to 60 MPH in eight seconds before hitting a 116 MPH limited top speed. As is the case with all naturally aspirated Toyota hybrids, the ES 300h features a direct-drive eCVT system as opposed to a conventional automatic transmission, making it the perfect fit if you find yourself traversing slow-moving urban and extra-urban environments. It is possible to use this model in full EV mode, but this is only under very strict conditions at slow-moving speeds, which is a common consideration for almost all hybrids in this segment.
Appealing Fuel Consumption Estimates
While you sacrifice power when driving a Lexus ES 300h, you do get to benefit from some of the most impressive fuel consumption returns that you can enjoy from the segment. According to the EPA’s estimates, you can expect this model to return a 43/45/44 MPG consumption on the city/highway/combined cycle and cover 581 miles on a single 13.2-gallon tank of gas, with some help from a 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Based on these same estimates, you can also expect to save $3,000 in fuel costs over five years. A year’s worth of gas will cost you $1,000, while you’ll find yourself spending $1.67 to drive 25 miles. You’ll also be spending about $39 to fill up the tank.
The Lexus ES Hybrid Comes In Two Fully Loaded Flavors
Two fully-loaded trims, zero confusion. The Lexus ES Hybrid comes dressed as “Luxury” or “Ultra Luxury”, both smooth, silent, and seriously pampering.
No Shortage Of Standard Features
The 2019 Lexus ES 300h boasts a high specification level next to its ICE counterpart, much unlike the model available today. The configurator did feature a lot more optional packages, resulting in prospective owners being able to create a series of unique and specific examples.
Key standard features for the trim include an electronic sunroof, the brand’s eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, an eight-speaker premium audio system, dual-zone climate control, perforated NuLuxe interior upholstery, 10-way electrically adjustable front seats, LED exterior lighting, rain-sensing wipers with auto-on headlights, and a host of advanced driver assist functions, courtesy of the Lexus Safety System+ suite.
More Luxury To Be Enjoyed In Higher Trims
Specific option consists of front seat heating and ventilation, a wood and leather-combination upholstered multifunction steering wheel with heating, Intuitive Park assist, a power rear sunshade, twin-projector Bi-LED headlights, and a power open and close trunk. The trim lines include the Premium, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury models. These trims include the following items:
Premium
- Espresso Bird’s-Eye Maple, Matte Honey Bamboo, or Linear Dark Mocha wood interior trim.
- Power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
- Lexus Memory System for driver’s seat, outside mirrors, and steering wheel
- Remote keyless entry-linked memory
Luxury
- Includes Premium
- Embossed-stitch perforated leather–trimmed interior
- Wood-trimmed console
- Heated and ventilated front seats
Ultra Luxury
- Includes Premium and Luxury
- Embossed-stitch perforated semi-aniline leather interior trim
- Power rear sunshade with manual rear-door sunshades
- Driver-seat power cushion extender
- Ambient interior lighting
- Lexus Memory System for the front passenger’s seat
There’s also the Mark Levinson audio package that includes the navigation features, together with a 17-speaker 1,800-Watt audio system with Quantum Logic technology.
A Tasteful Interior Catalog
Where colors and shades are concerned, Lexus ensured that those specifying the 2019 ES 300h had a broad range of tasteful options to choose from. NuLuxe leather upholstery options consist of Black, Parchment, Stratus Gray, and Flaxen Brown. Interior trimmings include Piano Black, Espresso Bird’s-Eye Maple, Matte Honey, and Linear Dark Mocha. As for exterior paints, all models were available in Eminent White Pearl, Silver Lining Metallic, Caviar Black, Satin Cashmere Metallic, Obsidian Black, Atomic Silver, Matador Red Mica, Autumn Shimmer, and Nightfall Mica.
The Luxury Japanese Hybrid That’s Worth Every Penny
Are you looking for a luxury hybrid vehicle that’s efficient, opulent, and offers the best bang for your buck? Well, you may have found the best bet.
What The 2026 Prius Has To Offer
The Toyota Prius range pricing starts at $28,550 for the base trim. The XLE increases the price to $31,995, while the Limited tops the range at $35,565. The Nightshade Edition sits just beneath this with a $32,800 starting price. Specifying the all-wheel drivetrain increases the price by $1,400. These prices exclude taxes and Toyota’s $1,195 destination charge.
Appealing Standard Features Across The Range
All Toyota Prius trims come standard with a SofTex-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, fabric-upholstered manually adjustable front and fixed rear seats, and single-zone climate control with pollen filtration. The driver and passenger have access to extendable dual sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors.
The XLE trim adds heating for the steering wheel and seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, SofTex upholstery for the electrically adjustable front and fixed rear seats, and a rear center armrest. The flagship Limited trim gets a memory function for the driver’s seat, ventilation for both front seats, an electronic tailgate, and the option to specify heating for the rear bench.
All Toyota Prius trims feature a compact seven-inch LCD digital instrument cluster. Base and LE trims add an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a six-speaker audio system, but you can upgrade the latter to the larger 12.3-inch system. The Limited trim features this screen as standard with the more premium eight-speaker JBL audio system.
Moving inside, the Prius’ cabin is stylish and well-built. The low dashboard is made of attractive plastics, both hard and soft, and most of the controls are easy to reach and operate. Front and rear, this vehicle’s seats are soft and supportive, plus the driver’s chair power adjusts in eight ways and has a memory setting.
– Craig Cole for TopSpeed
All trims come standard with six USB-C charging ports. XLE and Limited trims feature the Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charger and the hands-free Smart Key System. The Limited ships standard with the smartphone-powered digital key, but this is optionally available on the XLE.
Sources: J.D. Power, iSeeCars, Edmunds, and the EPA