Lexus ES300h Hybrid 2.5 Luxury (A) Facelift Review
18 Nov 2015|17,225 views
When your lineup has a popular model in terms of sales, there's no point in completely changing the paradigm and coming up with a different formula, since the original one was working wonders.
Nonetheless, improving what is already functional and profitable is something inevitable and Lexus is not wasting any time here.
The time has come for Lexus to update its sixth generation ES and we hopped into the hybrid model to find out more.
Up close and Personal
Marking a slightly early midlife makeover, the facelifted ES brings the latest iteration of the brand's increasingly large spindle grille design, reaching further in every direction than ever before and making the car look much more aggressive than its predecessor.
New headlamps are also installed on the updated car, with redesigned LED daytime running lights extending away from the body of the head lights, creating a barbed blade design.
Large chrome garnishes flank the fog lights at each corner, which round out the styling changes at the front end.
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Changes are subtler elsewhere on the car. The tail lamps adopt a more defined L-shaped theme like the rest of the Lexus lineup, while the chrome garnish spanning the rear appears a bit better integrated than before.
Inside, there's a new three-spoke steering wheel that Lexus claims to aid driving engagement plus additional "Enter" buttons on either side of the Remote Touch controller for more convenience.
In addition, the ES picks up a new leather gear shifter that was also seen in the IS and the NX, as well as new and exquisite Shimamoku wood trimming that grace the door panels. To accentuate the overall luxurious feel of the cabin better, the soft semi aniline leather seats feature vertical quilted stitching for a fuller 3D opulent effect.
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The Drive
Under the hood of the ES300h is the familiar 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine that's paired up to an electric motor. They make 202bhp and 213Nm of torque together and while these figures are rather minuscule in this day and age, performance is preserved by the fact that hybrid motors feature instantaneous torque due to the boost provided by the electric motor.
Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is executed in 8.5 seconds and this is an impressive number for a sedan fitted with a four-cylinder engine.
Mated to a CVT gearbox, there can be a slightly dull drone when acceleration is extended, but engagement of the transmission is smooth and seamless and performance is more than adequate for daily duties.
As before, the ES300h features three drive modes - Normal, Eco and Sport - that allows the driver to customise engine mapping and throttle response to best suit their mood or driving conditions.
Handling is precise and predictable, although we detected a bit of lean and squirm when pushed. But when it comes to comfort, the car sets a high-bar with a soft and supple suspension that works well with the tyres to deal with road undulations, providing a pliant ride for all on board.
Conclusion
The ES300h is a well-equipped sedan that should appeal to the environmentally conscious buyer who is attracted by the car's impressive fuel efficiency, conservative styling, and green image.
So while the dynamics have remained largely unchanged, a thoroughly luxurious interior wrapped in a freshly chiselled sheet metal allows the new ES to build efficiently on what has made it one of the most popular luxury sedans in the Lexus range.
When your lineup has a popular model in terms of sales, there's no point in completely changing the paradigm and coming up with a different formula, since the original one was working wonders.
Nonetheless, improving what is already functional and profitable is something inevitable and Lexus is not wasting any time here.
The time has come for Lexus to update its sixth generation ES and we hopped into the hybrid model to find out more.
Up close and Personal
Marking a slightly early midlife makeover, the facelifted ES brings the latest iteration of the brand's increasingly large spindle grille design, reaching further in every direction than ever before and making the car look much more aggressive than its predecessor.
New headlamps are also installed on the updated car, with redesigned LED daytime running lights extending away from the body of the head lights, creating a barbed blade design.
Large chrome garnishes flank the fog lights at each corner, which round out the styling changes at the front end.
Changes are subtler elsewhere on the car. The tail lamps adopt a more defined L-shaped theme like the rest of the Lexus lineup, while the chrome garnish spanning the rear appears a bit better integrated than before.
Inside, there's a new three-spoke steering wheel that Lexus claims to aid driving engagement plus additional "Enter" buttons on either side of the Remote Touch controller for more convenience.
In addition, the ES picks up a new leather gear shifter that was also seen in the IS and the NX, as well as new and exquisite Shimamoku wood trimming that grace the door panels. To accentuate the overall luxurious feel of the cabin better, the soft semi aniline leather seats feature vertical quilted stitching for a fuller 3D opulent effect.
The Drive
Under the hood of the ES300h is the familiar 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine that's paired up to an electric motor. They make 202bhp and 213Nm of torque together and while these figures are rather minuscule in this day and age, performance is preserved by the fact that hybrid motors feature instantaneous torque due to the boost provided by the electric motor.
Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is executed in 8.5 seconds and this is an impressive number for a sedan fitted with a four-cylinder engine.
Mated to a CVT gearbox, there can be a slightly dull drone when acceleration is extended, but engagement of the transmission is smooth and seamless and performance is more than adequate for daily duties.
As before, the ES300h features three drive modes - Normal, Eco and Sport - that allows the driver to customise engine mapping and throttle response to best suit their mood or driving conditions.
Under the hood of the ES300h is the familiar 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine that's paired up to an electric motor. They make 202bhp and 213Nm of torque together and while these figures are rather minuscule in this day and age, performance is preserved by the fact that hybrid motors feature instantaneous torque due to the boost provided by the electric motor.
Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is executed in 8.5 seconds and this is an impressive number for a sedan fitted with a four-cylinder engine.
Mated to a CVT gearbox, there can be a slightly dull drone when acceleration is extended, but engagement of the transmission is smooth and seamless and performance is more than adequate for daily duties.
As before, the ES300h features three drive modes - Normal, Eco and Sport - that allows the driver to customise engine mapping and throttle response to best suit their mood or driving conditions.
Handling is precise and predictable, although we detected a bit of lean and squirm when pushed. But when it comes to comfort, the car sets a high-bar with a soft and supple suspension that works well with the tyres to deal with road undulations, providing a pliant ride for all on board.
Conclusion
The ES300h is a well-equipped sedan that should appeal to the environmentally conscious buyer who is attracted by the car's impressive fuel efficiency, conservative styling, and green image.
So while the dynamics have remained largely unchanged, a thoroughly luxurious interior wrapped in a freshly chiselled sheet metal allows the new ES to build efficiently on what has made it one of the most popular luxury sedans in the Lexus range.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Lexus ES 300h Hybrid 2.5 Luxury (A)
CAT B|Petrol-Electric|18.1km/L
Horsepower
151kW (202 bhp)
Torque
213 Nm
Acceleration
8.5sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Lexus ES 300h Hybrid
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