2013 Lexus ES 300h Hybrid Review and Road Test

The ES has been Lexus' best-selling sedan for 15 years yet the front-driver started life as something of a side-show. In 1989 the ES was a thinly veiled Camry, supposedly rushed to market because Lexus dealers couldn't envision launching a brand with one vehicle (the LS 400) and were unwilling to wait for the SC and GS. This explanation makes sense to me and explains why the ES was the only FWD car in a brand created to compete with the Germans. Of course, this odd fit within a full-range RWD luxury brand is exactly why the ES sells. Wonder why Acura's wares never had the sales success of the ES? That's why.
The first ES was a Camry with an LS 400 aping nose job. Since then the ES and the Camry have been developed together on a common platform, but with every passing redesign the marriage has become more rocky with the two sharing less and less with one another. Like any couple "trying a separation," divorce was inevitable. For 2014 the papers have been served and the ES is now shacking up with the Camry's big sister, the 2014 Toyota Avalon. Oh the tongues will wag.
The platform swap means the ES has grown an inch in length, an inch in height and the wheelbase has stretched nearly two inches over the 2012 ES, making it two inches longer than the new GS. LS owners shouldn't fear, the flagship is still the biggest Japanese luxury vehicle on the market. For 2013 Lexus has ditched the former ES's suppository side profile for a blunter nose, taller greenhouse, longer hood ans shorter trunk. The new proportions make the ES look like one of the family rather than an accident that happened later. It also makes the new Lexus spindle grill look particularly good in my mind, not something I was able to say about the GS or some of the other mugs wearing the new grin.
For 2013 Lexus is now offering the same hybrid system used in the Toyota Camry hybrid in their best selling sedan. This is likely to become Lexus' most popular hybrid as Lexus is expecting it to account for some 40% of ES sales. Watch with us as Alex L. Dykes walks around the ES, talks infotainment, interior, exterior, hops in the trunk for our exclusive trunk comfort index and takes it for a spin.
Muisic by Kevin MacLeod
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[@ravipeiris4388]

Alex is so thorough and analytical, sometimes it is scary. Great job Mr. Alex.

[@ToOpen6seven]

I have one and purchased it in 2013 brand new. I couldn't be happier with my car. I have also had two other toyota products and all 3 of them of been extremely reliable.

[@8corymix8]

How is the hybrid holding up? I either want this or the ES 350

[@luisalmendarez1606]

Have you had to replace the battery yet?

[@mrjackbagginz]

I own 2002 es300 and it stood the test of time,. The leather has gone better and at very high mile no probs,. I am getting the 300h fsport trd and i havent been any happier

[@amyklimas646]

Fantastic review!!! Just bought a used es 300h and this is exactly what I needed to introduce me to the car. Loved the trunk bit.

[@mikehixonatrealtytrendsllc9988]

Exactly the review you'd be looking for, before you buy this car...excellent job!

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

I thought they were a bit steep on their price when these were brand new. But used they are a SMOKING deal, a really nice one with less than 50,000 miles are 18-19k, get one with 70-100k on it that's a bit rougher, 15k, maybe less. Just picked up a regular ES350 last week, lot of car for the $$$$ IMO. Build quality/reliability is top notch, Benz/BMW/Audi that's 5-9 years old, you're going to spend what you paid for it in repairs if you want to keep it another 5-10 years/100k miles.

[@francoa.9646]

Alex, you put all other car reviewers to shame!! Minimal editing cuts on your narratives, you know your stuff for sure. One thing that I consider a factor is that the Lexus hybrids are all made in Japan, unlike the Avalon and Camry.

[@rontreen3278]

Here here .... he is direct and to the point... I've been watching his show for two years now... And No One Compares To his attention to detail!

[@joeytribiani9779]

"Getting in and out of the trunk is fairly easy"... lmao if that's your thing, I guess

[@alanhumphrey4198]

Like how many times do you ever get in and out of your trunk when you're a living body????

[@kentaltobelli1840]

this earned my thumbs up

[@oaklandtraphouse]

Lmao

[@zeamp]

Just bought a 1-owner 2013 ES 300h last week! WHO IS THIS GUY? I LOVE HIM!

[@zeamp]

This guy should be a voice actor. I could listen to him forever!

[@KRHEE]

Mines at 190k miles now. I’m trying to get it to 250k within the next couple years

[@iBike2Live]

Hi Rhee! I think you meant “mine’s”? The word “mines” means “more than one mine” (plural of mine). You made me smile, though. 😊

[@KRHEE]

@@iBike2Live get a life dude………

[@geecrawdad]

Have you had to replace the battery?

[@ishkaranbrar313]

​@geecrawdad we have a 2014 camry hybrid with the same powertrain and at 130k miles, the battery still has about 80% health. That's pretty good.

[@maestroadam]

I love wood steering wheels.

[@Nooobcub]

how he says getting in and out of the trunk made me laugh! love this guy

[@werbrown]

Nice review Alex, thanks

[@ldawson103]

Not a Toyota fan but I enjoy your detailed reviews.

[@duffgreen4811]

Why would we need to know how comfort in the trunk it's not like we're going to be kidnaping people and asking them " are you comfortable sir we would not care to harm you"

[@benjmiester]

Hey, I care about my kidnapee's comfort, thank you very much!

[@fishflash1]

I purchased a used 2014 ES300h and can't get better than 28 mpg in city driving, San Diego. I had a Lexus specialist take a test drive with me. My driving style is fine but because there's no problems showing on their computer, they refuse to acknowledge that there's a problem. Very disappointed in Lexus's denial of an issue. Otherwise a nice car.

[@treetopchris]

Your battery needs servicing

[@brkbtjunkie]

Not all trims have that joystick, mine has a click wheel and I love it

[@thedistinguishedgentlemen1008]

Buying one tomorrow I’m excited

[@vend3ttaverano778]

how do you like it so far

[@janboblarry]

Im sorry for your loss. Biggest mistake i ever made was buying this car. I had a g37 prior. Infiniti makes nice cars. Quality engines this Lexus is garbage im sorry.

[@isaiahsheppard5351]

@@janboblarry how’s it garbage

[@MisssVP]

@@isaiahsheppard5351 because that person is garbage

[@trivsingaraju5534]

Excellent background music

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Nicer is kind of a subjective term. The Avalon doesn't get real wood of course and the stteering wheel isn't as nice, the leather isn't as soft, but it does seem to have fewer hard plastics around and it has a pleather stitched dash which I find attractive. The big difference is the infotainemnt system is a touchscreen unit which I find much easier to use than the Lexus Remote Touch joystick.

[@janboblarry]

Im pretty sure the "wood" is plastic in this car.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Lexus considers the performance of the hybrid system is equal to a 3.0L engine.

[@kenc2386]

I'm missing something. I have a 2011 Camry hybrid, which is close to the same engine. My car has the torque and acceleration of a city bus. The way you drove in the video would require the gas pedal to be 1/3 to 1/2 way to the floor, especially going up that hill. I remember you saying the same engine and trans are shared by 3 or 4 cars.

[@Pube83]

Ken C Do you drive in Power mode?

[@Bugattis11395]

You guys should review with the same funny, satirical style you write with, it'll make the reviews more interesting. ;)

[@kidsafe]

The woody area around 14:15 is definitely Hillsborough around the Black Mountain area. After that, he is probably driving through Burlingame or upper Millbrae.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Crackaddict, there are certainly more than the last generation and it also covers the doors (front and rear) and lower dashboard areas. The reason I mention it is because the Toyota Avalon, the ES's sistership does NOT use hard plastics in these areas having what many would call a more up-scale parts quality. The 2014 LaCrosse has replaced all the hard dash and door components with soft-touch units themed after the Verano and Encore.

[@zeamp]

7:24 Ah, the Mafia review.

[@graces5634]

Would love to hear from some owners ten years later after the battery pack needs replaced!!!

[@jimwilliams9225]

We have a 2014 with 85k miles. No battery issues… or any issues.

[@cktan6469]

Mine 2015 ES300h had the hybrid battery replaced at 150,000km 6th year under warranty. My ride is 245,000km on it’s 9.5years, and still running strong

[@YAO88]

so funny how you close your self in that trunk !!!

[@crackaddict444]

You're overplaying the amount of hard plastic. More than last gen? Yes. But more than the LaCrosse and C-Class? Not even close. And none of the hard plastics are in any place where they shouldn't be, save perhaps the center console area.

[@danpaetz9113]

Great Video...Blessibgs!!!

[@Cptblogh]

Mine has 90.000 miles and I don't even get 32 mpg. Though it's cold up here in the winter. Weird!

[@brkbtjunkie]

I have a 2013 es300h w 109k and get an average of 36.5mpg but I’m 80% city and 20% hwy miles I wager, and I’m in Virginia so probably warmer than where you are. In summer I get 30% better mileage than winter.

[@Cptblogh]

@@brkbtjunkie maybe it has to do with American gas. I moved to Europe, took the ES with me and I get worse gas mileage.

[@GuoWeiErn]

good review

[@AlternativeUses]

i see, thanks. if in the future you could do a review of the bmw x1 (the 35i if possible) i'd really appreciate it. ill post it in the x1 forums. there doesn't seem to be a lot of reviews of it esp on youtube

[@thefront5871]

Sorry but the mapping system looks dated! Did they develop it back in the early 2000's with MapQuest? They definitely need to update the UI!

[@MultiNemesis101]

I have it, it’s very good.... it even shows the roads with apartment complexes which Google Drive omits... and mines a 2014....

[@kerem54545454]

But why do you get in the trunk?

[@davidholt2335]

Because it’s there.

[@espo1848]

The Lesux dealer removed my app without customer permission . That was paid 0n 2013 when I bought it. No warning letter to let the consumer aware. Beside no credit was refunded . the battery only last eight years. Now I have to shop around a new car. Also the car devalue only worth $18,000 would I buy Lexus again ? heel know !!!!!

[@jerryhawkins8705]

Margaret Esposito it’s not even eight years old!!!!

[@Pube83]

I thought Toyota lexus hybrid batteries come with long warranties?

[@thefront5871]

The interior console looks a bit like the BMW console with how it is curved from one end to the other.

[@zking2929]

I agree they also seem to have similar taillight designs with the whole LED taillight strip style

[@mark93cobr]

Fuel mileage is not so much about the car as it is about who is driving it.

[@reubenforthekingdomofheave9437]

Mine has over 113000 and I get over 42 mpg

[@Kc-eu5ss]

2013 es 300h what gas it takes ? 87 or 93

[@sopheaanderson3509]

87

[@AlternativeUses]

good review.. besides the nameplate, fuel economy, and rear legroom everything about the es hybrid is very bleh. i havent sat in the new avalon but from what ive heard it even has a nicer interior than the ES

[@thedistinguishedgentlemen1008]

Should you put premium gas in the hybrid?

[@janboblarry]

No this car only needs 87

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Lol, 87 octane. High test would wack out any sort of savings you got with 40mpg. Around here premium is $0.80 more a gallon.

[@MalamIbnMalam]

What part of California?

[@talonleevon7929]

Monsieur Africain millbrae

[@Hackiesacker007]

Why is it 300H is the engine is a 2.5 L?

[@anthonyedwardstarkzamora7291]

1980

[@bradh6185]

Same drivetrain as the Toyota? Hard plastics in the rear? This is indeed an extra large Lexus Camry.

[@oliverwelsh8246]

Drive them back to back and I know you'll notice how dramatically different they are.

[@pouetpouet941]

Most Lexus share a platform with a Toyota...

[@cottagegymfun]

Extra large extra luxurious sounds fine

[@tuolumne9]

When is Lexus and the rest of Tue Japanese automakers going to move to the new automated electronic door locks a la VW Group. The red switches next to the handle are so tacky. Typical Japanese cost cutting. Hard to take the old guard of toyota (cut costs) out of a Lexus

[@shanet7511]

Atleast the Lexus doesn't have cost cutting occurring under the hood and as a result will last far longer than the vw/audi.

[@janboblarry]

Oh and the EV mode they talk up so much doesnt work if you go over 20mph or accelerate like a normal person or if your battery is half or less. You wont ever use it. I live in downtown Boise and its useless. If you couldnt tell by now i am one pissed off owner. Will never touch another Lexus in my life. My Aunts 2011 LS was shit. And this car is shit.

[@luism8612]

Do you not know the definition of the word hybrid? It’s not a fully electric car dumass it’s a hybrid. If you want that you need to get a Tesla or a phev.

[@alanhumphrey4198]

That's why I will never buy a hybrid. I have a regular V6 ES and its a fantastic vehicle...