The Lexus ES 300h is a large sedan with a hybrid powertrain that has recently undergone several updates. Among other things, for the infotainment, he got digital exterior mirrors. In this test, we find out whether continuous change is also better for the hybrid that operates in the Mercedes E-class and BMW 5-series segment.
It is often true that change is needed in life and Toyota’s early commitment to hybrid technology proves that. As a result, the Japanese now, more than twenty years after the Prius was almost universally ridiculed by car enthusiasts, have to change much less hard to meet the stricter CO2 requirements. Luxury daughter Lexus also benefits from this, which with the ES 300h has a car without a plug in the upper middle class that only emits 125 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Although that is more than the limit value of 95 grams, it is also not so much more that you have to sell ten plug-in hybrids to bring the average down again. Moreover, the hybrid concept itself also changed over the years, often for the better. Even the ES is no longer the same as it was when the front-wheel drive, large sedan set foot on Dutch soil in early 2019. For example, the model will now receive standard support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and there are digital exterior mirrors on the option list. That is reason enough for a renewed acquaintance.
CHALLENGES
Let’s start with the digital exterior mirrors, which are available for € 1,750. At least, on the President Line tested here and that is immediately the most expensive version on the price list. And in all fairness, they are not worth it. As we noted earlier with the Audi E-tron, it is actually only more difficult to get a good overview of the situation around you. Estimating depth on a screen works less well than in a mirror and in difficult light conditions, for example in the dark with many headlights from following traffic, it does not get any better. Parking in an unlit garage box in daylight is also a challenge. Incidentally, the mirrors can switch to a larger angle when reversing and using the indicators. This provides a better overview, but unfortunately you cannot use this mode when driving forward. Compared to Audi, which processes the screens in the door, the layout of Lexus is more pleasant because it is better in your view. The downside is that it kind of looks like someone glued a TomTom to both A-pillars. All in all, it provides few concrete benefits.
We are much more positive about the arrival of integrated smartphone support via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The operation of the Lexus infotainment system with a kind of mouse pad is above average while driving, but because the number of functions in CarPlay is limited, it all becomes a lot easier. You don’t really have to use the built-in navigation system anymore and if it wasn’t standard, we would leave it out. The fewer functions, the less reason to be annoyed.
The rest of the interior is typically Lexus: very special, with enough physical buttons to always be able to operate the essential functions and everything very well finished. Only the adjustability of the seating position is a bit disappointing. The lower legs lack some support and the windshield is relatively flat, so you have to sit back a bit to avoid collisions. Rear passengers have the same problem, although the legroom there is of a level that almost exceeds the segment. After all, the trunk fits 454 liters, where the standard is 500 or more. In addition, due to a V-brace between the rear struts, the rear seat cannot be flattened. Longer objects can therefore only be taken if they fit through the ski hatch.
Incidentally, the V-shaped reinforcement is not the only measure that Lexus takes to make the body stiffer and to prevent twisting and vibrations. The Japanese always do a lot to combat Noise, Vibration and Harshness and on the more expensive versions you will even find extra, horizontally placed shock absorbers to dampen vibrations in the body.
THICK CREAM
The result is impressive, because to say that the ES drives smoothly is an under-statement. It’s more like a waterbed filled with jam, floating in a pool filled with clotted cream. You can easily overcome thresholds in a 30 km / h zone at 30, without being launched out of your seat and on the highway the ES glides with the ease of Citroëns of yesteryear. Naturally, this has consequences for the dynamic capacities: there are none. The ES has a neat grip reserve, but always feels large, distinguished and calm. Any urge to drive fast quickly disappears like snow in the sun. In addition, the hybrid powertrain is best suited to a calm, anticipatory driving style.
As mentioned, the Hybrid Synergy Drive has changed a lot over the years, making the hybrids considerably more pleasant to drive. The combination of a 120 hp electric motor and a 178 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 218 hp combined power for the front wheels and you don’t need all of those to keep up with the traffic. This, together with the excessive insulation and the thick windows, ensures that you rarely have to hear the combustion engine. Only in full does the characteristic roaring sound enter the interior, but as said you rarely do that. It’s much more about refinement and because the 218 horsepower doesn’t all slash at the same time, wheelspin is rare even on wet roads. Those who can muster the discipline and patience to keep the driving style meter in Eco can also drive incredibly efficiently. 1 in 17 is of course neat for a petrol car of this size and the advantage is that it will only become more economical in the city, while conventionally motorized cars will consume more there.
Lexus ES
DRESSED THICK
In any case, the ES is quite a good offer from a cost point of view. The fully loaded test specimen costs more than € 70,000, but then you also have everything you could want and the digital exterior mirrors. At the competition you get an equally performing sedan for that money, but with such equipment it often costs a lot more. Moreover, you do not have to save for the thickest version, because even the basic version already has seat heating, smartphone support, light metal and many safety systems. Only an extensive parking package with pedestrian recognition is missing, but adaptive cruise control with lane assistant and traffic sign recognition is always there. You cannot order digital exterior mirrors, but that only seems an advantage to us. What the renewed acquaintance with the ES proves is that change is always possible, but fortunately not always necessary.