Lexus offers one of the most balanced line-ups of luxury cars today. Many of its offerings outclass the big German luxury guns from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes in value and reliability. The Lexus NX Hybrid delivers a combined 39 MPG, while the UX Hybrid delivers one better at 43 MPG. However, the most compelling fusion of frugality, luxury, comfort, and sharp styling is the Lexus ES Hybrid.
It is the only luxury sedan in the lineup offered as a hybrid and the most fuel-efficient of the two. A slippery design and clever powertrain choices are the primary reasons for the same. With a sub-$45,000 starting price, the value proposition is strong, supported by a commendable list of luxury, comfort, and convenience features. Even its top-spec sub-$54,000 trim level maintains substantial value for money.
Lexus ES Hybrid Packs Commendable Luxury And Technology For The Price
Prices Start At $44,835
Lexus offers a wholesome suite of comfort, convenience, and luxury features from the base ES 300h. Features such as power-adjustable front seats, soft-touch leatherette, and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard. The air-conditioning system also includes a smog sensor and an automatic recirculation mode. Since the base trim is priced under $45,000, adding a $2,790 Premium Package doesn’t dilute its value proposition. This optional feature suite includes:
- Heated and ventilated front seats with memory
- Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Interior heater
- Wood trim
Going up the trim table unlocks additional standard creature comforts, further elevating the 2025 ES Hybrid‘s luxury appeal. The $50,005 luxury trim adds 14-way driver’s seat adjustability, semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with memory, and a driver-seat power cushion extender. The Luxury trim also features wood trim, ambient lighting, and a rear power sunshade for added privacy. The steering wheel is heated and layered with wood and leather here.
Between the Luxury and the top-spec trim level, Lexus has also added two sporty models with the F Sport Design and Handling trims. These build up the Luxury trim and add sporty elements to the cabin. The luxury appeal is complemented by features such as Hadori aluminum trim, a sporty-looking F Sport leather shift knob, aluminum paddles, and steering wheel designs.
Next up, the top-spec Ultra Luxury trim is priced from $53,725 and doesn’t add much in terms of materials. The only feature it adds over the Luxury trim is manual rear door sunshades. However, this trim elevates luxury with technology features. Standard on the Ultra Luxury only: a 10.2-inch head-up display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment, with cloud navigation and an intelligent assistant, and an intuitive parking assist for auto braking, rear pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert features, and a panoramic view monitor. While the absolute best of technology is packed into the Ultra Luxury trim, the base 300h is not shabby either. All standard in-car technology features on the sub-$45,000 Lexus ES Hybrid include:
- Lexus 10-speaker audio system
- An eight-inch touchscreen display with cloud navigation and an intelligent assistant
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Lexus App supports connected and remote features, including engine start and vehicle health reports.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Blind Sport Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
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A Very Frugal Luxury Sedan
Combined MPG: 44 MPG
Despite its size as a luxury sedan and a curb weight of up to 3,730 pounds, the Lexus ES Hybrid still delivers commendable fuel economy ratings. According to the EPA, the ES 300h achieves a combined fuel economy rating of 44 MPG. In the city, this Lexus delivers 43 miles per gallon, and on the highway, it increases to 44 MPG. With a 13.2-gallon fuel tank, this Lexus is capable of doing 581 miles on a full tank of gas. Thanks to the hybrid powertrain, occupants enjoy the ES’s luxury while saving about $3,000 in fuel over a span of five years compared with the average new vehicle.
None of the direct rivals can match the Lexus ES in this area; it is in a league of its own, given the scarcity of formidable hybrid competitors. The closest luxury counterparts not only struggle to match its value proposition but also its MPG ratings. The $45,400 Acura TLX returns a combined 25 MPG in its most frugal form. The sporty $49,200 Cadillac CT5 gets a combined 26 MPG. The $43,450 Genesis G70 is the only rival that undercuts the Lexus ES Hybrid in price and in value for money. However, it is not frugal, with the RWD models achieving a combined 24 MPG.
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Packs A Four-Cylinder Hybrid Engine
Combined Power: 215 Horsepower
Powering the Lexus ES 300h lineup is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 215 horsepower. Power is sent to the front wheels only via an efficiency-focused e-CVT gearbox. Nothing is thrilling about this powertrain, and the ES 300h takes about 8.1 seconds to reach 60 mph and has a top speed of 112 mph.
Lexus, however, focuses on a smooth, comfortable driving experience, with no transmission hiccups, engine noise, or vibrations. It offers a range of drive modes, including an EV mode, but it can barely cover a mile on a single charge and is designed primarily for parking without disturbing the surroundings. The F Sport trim levels add a bit of spice with additional Sport S/S+ and even Custom drive modes.
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Engaging Dynamics And Sharp Looks
Gives It A Well-Rounded Appeal
The low-slung design and low center of gravity contribute to the stable driving dynamics of this hybrid Lexus sedan. Assisting this is an independent suspension setup consisting of MacPherson struts with coil springs and gas-pressurized shock absorbers at the front. The rear features a trailing-arm, double-wishbone setup with coil springs and shock absorbers. Both ends have stabilizer bars for added rigidity and swift cornering stability.
Braking duties are taken care of by 12.0-inch ventilated discs up front and 11.1-inch solid discs at the rear. Lightweight 17/18-inch alloy wheels (noise reduction wheels for the Ultra Luxury trims) wrapped with 215/235-section tires take care of the grip. The F Sport trims get features like adaptive variable suspension and F Sport suspension tuning to further dial up the dynamics.
Lexus offers the sharpest, sportiest-looking luxury cars on the market, and the ES continues this trend, despite its “conservative” powertrain. The design is bold, featuring the famed spindle grille, bleeding LED DRLs up front, and an organic, sweeping silhouette that has long been a sedan’s most pleasing visual aspect. The F Sport trims add more drama with distinctive styling cues in the front bumper, grille surround, and rear spoiler. These also feature larger 19-inch wheels, while other ES 300h trims receive 17- or 18-inch wheels.
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The Lexus ES Hybrid Shines In Safety And Reliability
Reliability Rating: 89/100
Thanks to its Toyota roots, the Lexus ES Hybrid excels in reliability and safety. It scores an impressive 89/100 in Quality and Reliability from J.D. Power, which helps boost its overall score to 83/100. This allows the ES to earn a podium finish on J.D. Power’s ‘Best Midsize Premium Car of 2025’ list. This trend is retained on iSeeCars with a reliability score of 8.2/10.
The ES hybrid further goes on to get 8.1/10 for Value Retention and 8.0/10 for Safety, bundling up to have an overall score of 8.1/10. The Lexus ES offers no compromise on safety, featuring a robust airbag system for occupant protection and a range of top-tier safety features as standard. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is what drives its undisputed safety and assistive capabilities.
Notable Safety And Assistive Features (Standard Across The Board)
- 10 airbags
- Stability control
- Safety Connect and Service Connect
-
Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which includes
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Road Sign Assist
- Automatic High Beams
Sources: FuelEconomy.gov, J.D. Power, iSeeCars