2019 Lexus ES 300h Luxury Review by David Colman - It's E15 Approved

A marvel of technology dedicated to saving fuel,
but consigning you to travel in the slow lane

By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

2019 Lexus ES 300h

If the Toyota Camry is the bread and butter sedan at Toyota, then the new Lexus ES 300h, which is based on the latest hybrid Camry, represents the croissant and brie entry chez Lexus.

Fit, finish and price distinguish the new Lexus hybrid from its lesser familial cousin. Our test sedan, finished in a deceptively black tinted shade called Deep Blue Metallic Clearcoat, featured an absolutely stunning interior defined by Lexus as "Topaz with Bamboo." While that may sound like the title of a Saturday morning kid show, the Topaz with Bamboo combo proved so lush, so comforting, so restful, that you will hesitate to deplane upon reaching your destination. Understated matte finished wood, in particular, has been slathered hither and yon without seeming concern for expense. Its muted sheen added a collegial sense of warmth to an interior that is strictly Ivy League.

The seating surfaces, with their elaborate stitch patterns, look more inviting than an engraved wedding invitation. In their efforts to reinforce this model's "Luxury" title, Lexus has fitted the front and side windows of the ES 300h with an acoustic windshield and front side window glass to mute external noise. A rear privacy screen covering the backlight shields rear seat passengers from unwonted sunlight and prying eyes. Even the 18 inch "Hyper-chrome metallic" alloy rims are fitted with special noise reduction buffers which enable the ES to glide through rough patches with ministerial equanimity.

2019 Lexus ES 300h

Given the shortcomings of the hybrid power train in this Lexus, glide rather than zip is the operative word to describe forward progress. You really have to be in love with the concept of fuel saving to opt for the hybrid over the gas engine ES 300. Bear in mind that this sedan, which weighs 78 pounds more than the outgoing model it replaces, now crosses the scale at roughly 3,700 pounds. If you select the hybrid powertrain, total engine output of the combined electric/gas system is just 215hp. Dividing the curb weight of 3,700 by the horsepower number of 215 yields a power-to-weight ratio of 17.2lbs/hp. This ratio makes for leisurely acceleration, with some fuss to merge on freeways, and lack of thrust for safe passing on two-lane back roads. The trade-off, of course, comes in the mileage department where the hybrid system manages to travel 44 miles per gallon of fuel. In fact, after a week of driving, we barely nudged the fuel gauge off the full mark.

Were I to select a power train for the ES 300, I would without hesitation opt for the newly refreshed 3.5 liter V-6, which now makes 34 more horsepower than last year's same size engine. Output of the V6 now stands at 302hp, with 267lb.-ft. of torque. Without the heavy nickel metal hydride battery pack of the hybrid model, curb weight of the V6 ES 300 drops by 100 pounds. At 3,600lbs, the 302hp V6 version provides a rather more scintillating power-to-weight ratio of 11.92lbs/hp. So enticing is this combination that Lexus has, for the first time in the ES' seven generation history, deigned to offer an F Sport version. This refined F Sport promises to improve road holding via a special shock absorber and handling package provided by Japanese damper manufacturer KYB. All V6-powered ES models also feature a new for 2019 8-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model we drove utilizes a Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT) with pre-set stages which mimic gear ratios. Lexus fitted our test ES 300h with Bridgestone Turanza EL 440 tires (235/45R18) which were mud & snow rated, ran quietly, and gripped the pavement with confidence-inspiring adhesion.

2019 Lexus ES 300h

An enormous 12.3 inch wide color liquid crystal display screen dominates the dash top. To control that screen, Lexus has refined the mouse-like apparatus on the center console to allow easy management of commands for entertainment, climate and navigation needs. But the proliferation of menus and sub menus seems to continue unabated, and we spent more time than ever trying to locate and eliminate such unwanted automation as the valet seat slide and steering wheel lift. There seems to be no end in sight for these customization features and their concomitant menu minders.

In sum, the latest ES 300h is a marvel of technology dedicated to saving fuel, but also consigning you to travel in the slow lane. This latest iteration is markedly more luxurious than its predecessors, and more distantly removed than ever from its prosaic Camry cousin at sister ship Toyota.

2019 LEXUS ES 300h LUXURY

ENGINE: 2.5 liter, 4 cylinder in line 16 valve DOHC gas engine plus 161kW hybrid electric
HORSEPOWER: 215hp
TORQUE: N/A
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 43MPG City/46 MPG Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $43,000 (Est.)

HYPES: Soothing Innards, Svelte Exterior

GRIPES: Lethargy Under the Hood

STAR RATING: 8 Stars out of 10