Car news! Lexus ES 300h Sedan

Lexus ES 300h Sedan

Full 2014 Lexus ES 300h Review

What's New for 2014

The Lexus ES 300h now comes standard with xenon headlights. In addition, sedans with the NuLuxe leatherette upholstery can now be equipped with ventilated seats as an option, while the Display Audio package picks up Siri Eyes Free compatibility for newer iPhones.

Introduction

The 2014 Lexus ES 300h brings hybrid technology to the popular ES entry-level luxury sedan. The ES 300h has the same large, luxurious interior and pleasant ride quality as the standard ES 350. But instead of the usual V6 engine, the hybrid ES gets a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain to maximize fuel economy.

With an EPA combined rating of 40 mpg, the Lexus ES 300h will likely measure up to most buyers' expectations on paper, and based on our testing, owners should get pretty close to that in real-world driving. Equally important, there's little sacrifice involved in driving the 2014 ES 300h. It's acceptably quick in most normal driving situations, and apart from its exceptionally serene demeanor in city traffic (made possible by its electric-only operation at low speeds), it steers, brakes and rides just like the ES 350. And of course you can equip it with all the same high-end features, including leather upholstery, sustainable bamboo interior trim and a Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2014 Lexus ES 300h is the hybrid version of the Lexus ES 350 luxury sedan, which is reviewed separately. It seats five.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, LED running lights, a sunroof, heated mirrors with memory function, keyless ignition/entry, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats (with two-way lumbar adjustment), "NuLuxe" premium vinyl upholstery, a manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Lexus Safety Connect emergency communications, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.

The Display Audio package adds the Lexus Remote Touch electronics interface, a 7-inch display screen, rearview camera, Siri Eyes Free (enhanced hands-free iPhone functionality and integration) and an upgraded sound system with HD radio. The Navigation package includes all of the Display Audio items plus a navigation system, a larger 8-inch display screen, voice controls, surround-sound audio processing, enhanced Bluetooth connectivity and the Enform suite of smartphone-connected apps and concierge services. A 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system with DVD-audio capability can be added to the Navigation package.