Lexus Es 300h 2.5 Premium Plus 4dr CVT

Ten Second Review

The Lexus ES is a full-sized Executive saloon that might get forgotten in a segment dominated by German premium brands. Yet it doesn't deserve to be. In this all-new MK8 form, this model comes to UK customers with just a single full-EV drivetrain, but the value proposition remains as strong as it's always been with the ES, when you compare against Teutonic competitors. If you want to spoil yourself in this class, but at sensible money, the ES 350e could be an appealing package.

Background

Europe likes to think it's the world's most important automotive market but in truth, that honour now belongs to China. Increasingly then, we're going to get global brands creating cars prioritising the Oriental customer. Here's a good example, the eighth generation Lexus ES. We've only had the ES in Europe since 2019, when it replaced four generations of the brand's GS model in the full-executive segment dominated by European players like the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6 and the Mercedes E-Class. The first six generations of ES weren't sold on our continent - but we didn't miss much as they were broadly just rebranded versions of the Toyota Camry saloon which this model line has always been based. The MK7 ES, a full-Hybrid, was a bit less a Camry clone. This MK8, only offered here in ES 350e form as a full-EV, gets even more of its own identity. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

Thanks to this eighth generation model's redesigned Lexus Global Architecture-K platform, ES customers now get a full-EV drivetrain, initially offered here in the form of one model, the ES 350e. This variant is front-driven with a single motor offering 221bhp, enabling 0-62mph in 8.2s. That motor's mounted on an eAxle and energised by a 77kWh lithium-ion battery offering a range of between 292 and 329 miles, depending on whether you choose 19 or 21-inch wheels. Other markets get a top ES 500e flagship variant featuring DIRECT4 all-wheel drive via two electric motors which together put out a combined 338bhp. There's no word yet on whether that version will be offered here. Or whether Lexus will also offer UK customers the 2.5-litre full-Hybrid 300h version of this MK8 ES, which has a much bigger battery than the MK7 ES Hybrid and comes in front or four-wheel-driven forms, putting out either 199bhp or 245bhp. That GA-K platform sitting beneath the swoopy bodywork is more rigid here than it is in a Lexus NX SUV, resulting in what the company calls an 'agile, responsive feel that belies its size'. Nevertheless if you know the brand, on the move in as ES 350e you still won't be expecting pin-sharp handling, but Lexus says that's also been improved by a new variable gear steering rack and a redesigned multi-link rear suspension layout. As a result, the Japanese maker claims that this eighth generation ES makes significant 'advances in ride quality, comfort and quietness' over its predecessor, which was already impressively silent and supple. You can expect refinement to be as quiet as anything in the class. And there's a paddleshift-controlled brake regen system.

Design and Build

There's a new design direction here, but it seems to draw more from Toyota than anything particularly recognisable as Lexus. Think current Prius, but super-sized and more technically advanced. Still, that's not a bad-looking confection and there's now much more of a swept-back coupe-style look for the single saloon body shape all markets will be offered. It's curious that Lexus still doesn't want to emulate its rivals by doing an estate version. Those competitors were smaller than the previous generation ES, a trend continued here, the 5,140mm length being 165mm longer than before. Notable design touches include a full-width rear light bar; a narrow slat between the front lights instead of a big grille; and a strange meandering profile feature line that makes its way from the rear wheel to the front wing. Where this car's Chinese market emphasis is most obvious is inside the minimalist cabin, where physical controls have largely been banished. Functions are mostly located on a big 14-inch central touchscreen, the driver's primary interface, though there's also a row of touch-sensitive climate controls directly underneath. There's a digitalised instrument cluster of course - 12.3-inches in size; and the instrument panel features neat 'Lexus Hidden Touch Switches', revealed behind the seamless instrument panel upholstery only when the car is switched on. Energy-efficient cabin heating incorporates what the brand calls 'front radiant heaters' - clever infrared panels located beneath the dashboard and steering column that directly warm the legs of the two front seat passengers. There's a clean, wide centre console with the drive selector, some hidden storage and a couple of USB-C ports. Upholstery is in either synthetic or semi-aniline leather for what Lexus thinks is 'a clean and modern aesthetic'. The rear seat might sell you this car. For a start, it's very spacious, with 77mm more leg room than the previous model. Plus the now-higher seating position makes getting in and out easier. Unusually and rather uniquely in this class, the back seats with top 'Takumi' trim come with the kind of reclining function you'd find in a boardroom large segment saloon from the next class up. Whatever kind of ES 350e you choose, there's not quite as much boot capacity as rivals. Nor can you extend the 456-litre capacity figure by folding the rear bench.

Market and Model

ES 350e prices certainly have a premium tag, starting from just under £60,000 for entry-level 'Premium' trim. There's a big jump to over £68,000 for the mid-level 'Premium Plus' variant, with top 'Takumi' trim up at £72,545 from launch. Even 'Premium'-spec gives you quite a lot. Features like a panoramic roof, a heated windscreen and Sonic Platinum metallic paint, plus the latest generation 'Lexus Safety System+' active safety and driver assistance systems. Inside, all ES variants feature a synchronised combination of 12.3-inch driver's combimeter and 14-inch Lexus Connect multimedia screen. The front seats are power-adjustable, with a memory setting for the driver and integrated heating and ventilation functions. Two USB charging ports are located in the front and rear, together with a front console wireless charging pad. Other details include a 10-speaker audio system and paddle shift controls to adjust regenerative braking. 'Premium Plus' trim extends this specification with cornering lamps, an electronic rear-view mirror, semi-aniline leather upholstery and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system. The front seats gain additional power adjustment functions and the doors adopt an automatic easy-closing system. A head-up display, twin wireless charging pads and unusual 'bamboo layering' door trim also feature at this level. At the top of the line-up, the flagship 'Takumi' model stands out with lightweight 21-inch alloy/resin aero wheels. And adds some real niceties for rear seat folk. Including heated and ventilated reclining rear seats with ottoman-style leg rests; and a rear centre console with a control panel for seating and ventilation adjustment. plus the rear side and back windows are fitted with sunshades.

Cost of Ownership

As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the ES 350e's 77kWh lithium-ion battery offers a range of between 292 and 329 miles, depending on whether you choose 19 or 21-inch wheels. Lexus battery management, temperature control and pre-conditioning functions aims to secure consistent charging performance in all temperatures. Fast public recharging from 10 to 80% with a 150kW DC power supply will take around 28 minutes. As for battery replenishment at home, well using a single-phase 7.4kW wallbox, you'll need around 11 hours 30 minutes for a full charge. A full-AC charge with a three-phase 11kW wallbox will require 7 hours 45 minutes and around 31 miles of range will be added for each hour of charging. The ES is equipped with a 22kW onboard charger and if you're able to take advantage of that, a full recharge from 0-100% can be accomplished in about four hours. By using the provided LexusLink app, ES 350e users can not only check battery charge and driving range but set charging schedules according to when the vehicle is next expected to be driven or to when energy prices are low, The app also allows the owner to remotely control the climate of the car. There's a three year / 60,000 mile warranty for the car and an eight year/100,000 mile warranty for the battery, but both can be considerably extended if you have your car regularly serviced at a Lexus dealership; to as much as 10 years and 100,000 miles for the car and as much as 10 years and 600,000 miles for the battery - a warranty unmatched in the EV world. As with all EVs, the ES 350e sits in a low 4% Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket until Spring 2027, when this will rise to 5%.

Summary

The car magazines will tell you that most EV customers in the full-sized Executive sector expect a highly tuned degree of handling finesse from their saloons. Which of course is rubbish. The average business owner of a car of this kind wants the best comfort, luxury and refinement possible as part of an exemplary low running cost proposition. All of which arguably this ES 350e delivers as well, if not better, than any other contender in this segment. No, it won't be quite as rewarding to drive as, say, a BMW i5 or an Audi A6 e-tron. Nor will its EV range figure be quite as high as the best of the German opposition. And yes, there is a slight whiff of Toyota in some elements of this design, though that's very well disguised - and helps with this car's strong value proposition. In summary, if you're choosing in this segment, the decision you've to make is whether you'll continue to select a full-sized Executive Saloon based on the choice you've maybe always made and perhaps some sense of perceived 'sportiness'. If not, this ES has quite a case to make. One thing's for sure: if you're after the most rational choice in the class, you might be looking at it right here.