Item: Lexus ES
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

This 2.5-litre petrol engine is the sole option available in the ES range. It has 215bhp and takes 8.9sec to get from 0-62mph before reaching a top speed of 112mph. This comes with an automatic gearbox and is front-wheel-drive only, but the hybrid system helps lower CO2 emissions and reach an official 50mpg.

300h 2.5

Saloon

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

This entry-level model comes well equipped, with 17in alloy wheels, electric front seats, sunroof, an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto and a rear-view camera. There's also an ES Premium Edition trim that has 18in wheels, a 12.3in touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless phone-charger, privacy glass and automatic wipers.

300h 2.5 4dr CVT [without Nav]

300h-25-4dr-cvt-without-nav

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

Running costs are arguably the Lexus ES’s strongest suit, especially if you pay&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/company-car-tax-calculator">company car tax</a>. The WLTP CO2 emissions figure is just 119g/km for the base model, rising to 127g/km for the F Sport (the bigger wheels&nbsp;take their toll on efficiency).

The icing on the cake is that – being petrol powered – the ES doesn’t fall foul of the 4% benefit-in-kind (BIK) surcharge that clobbers many diesel drivers. An awful lot of plug-in hybrids, such as the 530e <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a> and E300e <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">Mercedes E-Class</a> dip below the 50g/km mark, driving down BIK tax costs further, but are more expensive to buy outright.&nbsp;

The ES's fuel economy is good, too. Depending on the trim and options, the official combined figure is more than 50mpg, and we easily achieved over 40mpg during testing.

Whichever trim you go for, equipment levels are high, and even entry-level ES models get dual-zone climate control, electric seat adjustment and a sunroof, plus keyless entry and start. F-Sport adds the bigger wheels and a host of styling tweaks, while Takumi models are dripping with luxury features, but are very expensive.

Option packs are available, but we’d argue that the entry-level ES has more than enough equipment and offers an impressive suite of safety gear. This includes automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a> with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are on the options list.

The ES was awarded the full five stars in its <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> safety tests, with impressive individual category scores.

As a brand, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/lexus">Lexus</a> topped our 2021 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n23418">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;but we don’t have any specific data for the ES. Its warranty initially lasts for three years, but can be extended for up to 10 years and 100,000 miles, provided you service it at Lexus every year during that period.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

We’re most impressed with the Lexus ES in Takumi trim for refinement, and it's hushed when cruising on the 18in wheels fitted as standard. Wind and road noise are well suppressed and the engine is virtually inaudible at constant motorway speeds.

F Sport trim’s 19in wheels do generate a bit more road roar, but not to the point of it becoming wearisome. The entry-level model gets diddy 17-inchers, so the least expensive ES could be the quietest of the lot.

Comfort is more of a mixed bag. For the most part, the cars we’ve driven that have 18in wheels were very agreeable, dealing with undulations very well without ever feeling floaty or out of control. The ES struggles a little on a patchy stretch of road with a few potholes, though. It never crashes or bangs, but you do feel the car shudder, which spoils the feeling of calm.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/lexus">Lexus</a> fits F Sport models with adaptive suspension, but the addition of 19in wheels makes it feel slightly more jittery in Comfort mode. Switch to Sport and you’re acutely aware of imperfections and mid-corner bumps upset it more&nbsp;too.&nbsp;The adaptive system doesn't do much to improve handling, either. In fact, the standard setup is just as capable on twisty roads.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a> still remains the driver’s choice in this segment, but the ES is no embarrassment, and feels keener than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/s90/saloon/review/n17182">Volvo S90</a> (we suspect it would give an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/saloon/review/n61">Audi A6</a> a run for its money too). The steering is precise with a meaty weight that builds confidence, there’s very little body lean, and its strong grip is balanced evenly between the front and rear axles.

The ES can be hustled along at a surprising rate, but the noise from its engine might prevent you from doing that too often.

The 300h combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a couple of electric motors. It's more refined than some of Lexus’s four-cylinder hybrids, but the continuously variable transmission (CVT) causes the engine to rev frantically when you demand full acceleration.

It also lacks the low-rev urgency that’s so abundant in diesel rivals and makes them so relaxing to drive, nor does it ever feel as brisk as a BMW 520d or Mercedes E220d. Rival plug-in hybrid <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-cars-2022/n17020">luxury cars</a> are much faster outright.

The ES's gearbox has a Sport mode that can be selected with paddles on the steering wheel, but we found it unconvincing in use. Even when you select a lower ‘gear’ yourself, you’ll find that the car doesn’t stay in it for long if you push the accelerator pedal more than half way down.

Fortunately, if you rarely need to rush and are more interested in efficiency than excitement, the ES won’t let you down. It’s frugal in Normal mode, but gets even better if you flick it into Eco. Eco lets the car coast with the engine off in order to save fuel, while other modes soak up your momentum by turning recovered energy into electricity when you ease off the accelerator.

OUR PICK

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

http://example.com

300h-25

Those in the market for a luxury car that combines the environmental and tax advantages of a hybrid without the faff of plugging it in&nbsp;have long been served by Lexus. Cast an eye over its current range and you’ll see that almost every model is helped along by a battery pack and electric motor – and the Lexus ES is no different.

Although this is the first ES to be available in the UK, it's&nbsp;actually the seventh generation of a car that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/lexus">Lexus</a>&nbsp;first introduced way back in 1989, primarily for the US market.

Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre petrol engine that’s assisted by a couple of electric motors fed by a battery pack under the rear seats. The result is official CO2 emissions that are more in line with a small hatchback than a big luxury saloon.

That means that, unless you’re looking at <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-plug-in-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n1141">plug-in hybrid</a> (PHEV) versions, the ES trumps rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/saloon/review/n61">Audi A6</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">Mercedes E-Class</a> for emissions.

Of course, if you are willing to regularly charge your car up at home, a PHEV such as the BMW 530e or Mercedes E300e will be even more efficient, and brings even lower <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/company-car-tax-calculator">company car tax</a> bills.

With only one engine on offer and a range of four trim levels, choosing a Lexus ES should be relatively simple. Those looking for an estate version or four-wheel drive will have to look elsewhere, though.&nbsp;

So, can a car that shares much of its bones with the mainstream <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/camry/saloon/review/n19241">Toyota Camry</a> really cut it against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-cars-2022/n17020">best luxury cars</a>? Read on over the next few pages of this review to find out what it’s like to drive, how swanky the interior is and how much space there is for people and their luggage.

And don’t forget, you could save a packet on your next new car if your search out the best prices using our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>.&nbsp;It has plenty of the latest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/lexus">new Lexus deals</a>.

The driving position in the Lexus ES is comfortable rather than sporty, with good visibility that’s helped at night by standard automatic LED headlights. You get automatic wipers, a rear-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors on all models.

You can opt to have cameras in place of regular door mirrors in top Takumi trim but we wouldn’t bother – the displays are of a disappointingly low resolution and the system is pricey. The seats are comfortable, with&nbsp; adjustable lumbar support as standard and decent lateral support, although our taller testers found the seat didn’t quite go low enough. F Sport gets sportier seats with more side support, but these are just as comfortable.

The digital driver display changes its appearance depending on the drive mode selected (you do this using a stalk that sprouts from the side of the instrument binnacle, where it’s a bit of a stretch to reach). If you want an analogue-style rev counter dial, you can select one, but the instrument panel has nowhere near the level of configurability of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit.

You get an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with built in sat-nav plus <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone connectivity as standard. On top Takumi models, it's upgraded to a 12.3in screen, which&nbsp;is also available as part of an option pack for F Sport trim.&nbsp;

The media system is controlled by tracing your fingertip on a touchpad on the centre console to move a cursor around the screen. It’s a bit like using a trackpad on a laptop computer, except many users will find the kind of precision required difficult to master, especially while driving.

The touchpad is supposed to recognise pinch, swipe, double-tap and handwriting inputs, but it took us two or three attempts&nbsp;to zoom the navigation map to the scale we wanted. In fact, even routine tasks such as changing the radio station can be tricky. Although it’s certainly an improvement over older Lexus systems, we’d much prefer a rotary dial.

The interior uses materials of fairly impressive quality, but it doesn't appeal to the senses in quite the same way as that of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/saloon/review/n61">Audi A6</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a>. More expensive models use soft leather generously, but also have leatherette masquerading as hide in places – and not very convincingly in some areas. We found surprisingly scratchy plastics around the door bins and centre console that aren’t as appealing as the squishier materials in German rivals.

Comfortable and refined with a hybrid engine, the Lexus ES could make sense for company car drivers

The Lexus ES is a roomy saloon that can comfortably transport four adults, and it has a surprisingly wide boot, although&nbsp;in terms of total volume, it's a good deal smaller than in some of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-cars-2022/n17020">best luxury cars</a>.

Front space shouldn’t prove an issue unless you’re related to the Jolly Green Giant, even with a sunroof fitted as standard. However, the roofline curves towards the rear and reduces head room, so while taller adults in the back will find they have plenty of room for feet and knees (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/lexus">Lexus</a> says the ES has just 1mm less leg room than the giant <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/ls/saloon/review/n191">Lexus LS</a>), they’ll have considerably less room for scalps.

You get a couple of average-sized cupholders in the centre console, an armrest cubby that’s also average in size, and a pair of usable door pockets just about big enough for drinks bottles or travel cups. The glovebox is disappointingly small, though.

The biggest obstacle to practicality is the structural reinforcement that Lexus puts in place to strengthen the ES’s underbody and sharpen its handling. You can’t fold the rear seats at all because there are two metal braces between the interior and the boot. At least you get a ski flap, and Takumi trim adds electrically reclining rear seats.

This adds a sporting touch to the styling of the ES, with 19in wheels, black exterior detailing and adaptive suspension. 

F-Sport

f-sport

The most luxurious ES is quite a leap up in price over the rest of the range, but comes lavishly equipped. You get a head-up display, 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system, heated rear seats and a powered bootlid.

Takumi

takumi

There’s an awful lot to recommend the Lexus ES. For the most part it’s comfortable, quiet and spacious, and the running costs for company car drivers are below those of many diesel rivals. It's just a pity that its engine sounds coarse when you work it hard, and that its infotainment system is a faff to use.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plush ride and the ability to cruise in near-silence </li> <li>Powerful and efficient engine</li> <li>Space for passengers to stretch out in the rear seats</li> <li>Exquisite materials and build quality</li> <li>Endless luxuries on the options list</li> <li>Sensible fuel and tax bills</li></ul>

If you’re in the market for a luxury car, you’ll be after a sumptuous interior, a ride that can soak up the worst of the UK’s pockmarked roads and supreme refinement that allows you to travel at speed in near-silence.

Your cheapest (and smallest) options are the Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class and brilliant BMW 5 Series, the latter of which is so good we voted it our 2017 Car of the Year. Larger options that are definitely worth considering if you plan to travel in the back include the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and the Mercedes S-Class, which is beautifully finished inside and not as expensive to run as you might think.

Or if money really is no object at all, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is hard to overlook – especially in extended-wheelbase form. It’s as opulent as cars get.

Luxury

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

Hybrid

Lexus ES review

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Buying advice for the Lexus ES covering running costs, MPG, Fuel Economy, Reliability and Safety, from the expert What Car? review team.

Running costs are arguably the Lexus ES’s strongest suit, especially if you pay company car tax. The WLTP CO2 emissions figure is just 119g/km for the base model, rising to 127g/km for the F Sport (the bigger wheels take their toll on efficiency).,The icing on the cake is that – being petrol powered – the ES doesn’t fall foul of the 4% benefit-in-kind (BIK) surcharge that clobbers many diesel drivers. An awful lot of plug-in hybrids, such as the 530e BMW 5 Series and E300e Mercedes E-Class dip below the 50g/km mark, driving down BIK tax costs further, but are more expensive to buy outright. ,The ES's fuel economy is good, too. Depending on the trim and options, the official combined figure is more than 50mpg, and we easily achieved over 40mpg during testing.Whichever trim you go for, equipment levels are high, and even entry-level ES models get dual-zone climate control, electric seat adjustment and a sunroof, plus keyless entry and start. F-Sport adds the bigger wheels and a host of styling tweaks, while Takumi models are dripping with luxury features, but are very expensive.,Option packs are available, but we’d argue that the entry-level ES has more than enough equipment and offers an impressive suite of safety gear. This includes automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are on the options list.,The ES was awarded the full five stars in its Euro NCAP safety tests, with impressive individual category scores.As a brand, Lexus topped our 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey but we don’t have any specific data for the ES. Its warranty initially lasts for three years, but can be extended for up to 10 years and 100,000 miles, provided you service it at Lexus every year during that period.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

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