2022 Lexus ES300h review - More than just a posh Toyota Camry / Avalon

It may not be the most popular midsize exec sedan in Europe, but that doesn't mean the Lexus ES is without merit. It looks unique, is really comfortable, well made and efficient - it is one of the best cruisers in the class and on top of all of the above, it will also be exceptionally reliable.
If you enjoyed the video, like it and subscribe to my channel for more!
Presented, shot and edited by Andrei Nedelea.
Instagram - / one_tire_fire_yt
Facebook - / andreiatthewheel

[@OneTireFire]

Ask me anything about the Lexus ES!

[@smith12352]

شكرا على الفيديو الرائع. 👍🏻😍 تصوير جميل وسيارة أجمل. هل بالإمكان إصلاح البطارية في حال تعطلها وهل التكلفة عالية؟ شكرا جزيلا، لك التحية والاحترام من Dubai,💐🇦🇪

[@OneTireFire]

​@@smith12352 Thanks! The battery lasts a long time in these hybrids, but after more than 10 years of use, the vehicle may need a new one. I don't think it can really be repaired, just replaced.

[@ennigmaa]

@@OneTireFire very helpful. I have a GX460 and love it. Thinking of getting this to offset the gas consumption. Also in the Middle East

[@tophersuwita]

What is the best color between sonic iridium vs titanium?

[@alanhumphrey4198]

I love Lexus!!

[@Smokedship]

Rightfully said, its a car that's designed to take the stress out of life.... Specially in service costs...

[@OneTireFire]

Yes, you're absolutely right on both counts. Loved the ES, it's a real continent crosser!

[@2008gore]

I loved, loved my 2013 ES300h so much I just traded it in for the 2023 ES300h. I think you generally captured the nature of this special car - expert craftsmanship and quiet comfort and not much focus on trying to be exciting. For me, that’s the perfect car. I understand others may have different priorities. Most important point you didn’t cover: the cost to own this car is almost nothing. Drove my first one for 10 years and it never had the slightest issue. I have no idea what they do in a Lexus dealer repair bay. Lol. Nothing ever breaks and it ages so gracefully. My car looked brand new inside and out when I traded it in for top dollar at the Lexus dealership. Between the 44mpg and the cheap Toyota style maintenance schedule this car is bargain luxury.

[@OneTireFire]

Thank you for sharing!

[@lorenfok1097]

Driving a Toyota is like driving a regular car. Driving a Lexus is an experience you cannot describe or put into words. So buttery smooth, quiet and luxurious.

[@nonicosio]

my next car, leave my prius for food delivery

[@Tosabang]

I agree with you. I was going to looking for Toyota crown hev than just suddenly test drive es300h too so i decided to buy es 😂

[@LexusIS300H]

Yea Lexus coole, but I gonna trade my RWD Lexus IS300H to Mazda CX60 PHEV ,I whant RWD car .

[@Roker22]

Several years ago I was administering a Gulfstream G550 Check ride to the Director of Aviation, and the Chief Pilot of BMW. These pilots were in management and didn't fly as much as their regular line pilots, and I could tell they were a little nervous about the check ride. After asking them many questions about the aircraft, performance problems, and different emergency scenarios, we discussed their families. Finally, I asked; "How many BMW plants do you have around the world?" The DoA started counting on his fingers and replied in a distinct German accent; "Ve have thirteen plants around the vorld." So I asked; "Which one has the best quality control?" Without blinking, he said; "Lexus." I stated, "Wait a minute, we're talking about BMW." He responded; "I know, Ve make good motors and transmissions, but ve have been unable to match them with fit and finish." So, I asked if he owned one? He replied; "No, my vife does, and sometimes she lets me drive it." I thought that was a pretty good endorsement. And yes, they performed very well on their challenging check ride. We're in the process of trading our 2013 GS350 for a new 2022 ES300h. I wanted the Ultra Luxury version. But my wife is happy with just the basic model.

[@OneTireFire]

Very cool story, thanks for sharing! I think going from a GS to am ES is a step down, but the latest ES is good enough and it’s so well built and relaxing that you won’t mind :)

[@johnmann8253]

I compare my Lexus ES 300 H to the Falcon 900C aircraft that I fly, very solid machine and reliable….

[@Markus-dx9oy]

Egal ob Toyota oder Lexus. Man erhält immer ein Auto das Standfest und sehr Zuverlässig ist.Nicht wie der Schrott aus Deutschland bei denen schon technische Probleme innerhalb von 3 Jahren auftreten. Für den Alltag ist der Toyota bereits ein tolles Auto,wer Luxus und Wert auf Exklusivität legt der nimmt den Lexus wenn er kann

[@OneTireFire]

@@Markus-dx9oy ich nicht verstehe Deutsch🤷‍♂️

[@Driving_Somewhere]

ES steers nicely until you really push it. Then you get just pure dogged understeer....but otherwise . . . it's really comfortable...and dead reliable

[@OneTireFire]

Yes, I definitely experienced the understeer... It does not like to be pushed so it encourages you to adopt a very relaxed driving style :)

[@lam3317]

Having purchased a 2019 Model 2 months ago, I agree with your comments,this is one of the best and most detailed ES reviews on the web ,well done. Traded in my 2016 RX for this,so glade I did especially with currant petrol prices,truly a magic carpet ride,so quiet and comfortable on any surface,the fuel economy for a car of this size is amazing, thrash it and it is difficult to get under 35 Miles/gallon, smooth driving on Motorway way averaging in 50s,drove an hour on an A road 40-50 Miles per hour,my RX managed 35 MPJ,got 61 MPG on the ES, the hybrid system is so much better and smoother, the battery is in use a lot more even up to 50MPH,if any one has any doubts about how good this is the watch some of the reviews from other motoring channels like Savagees,etc about the ES300H. The fact the whole steering wheel is heated and the temperature dial is easy to use are so much better than the RX,which had a mostly cold wooden steering and buttons for temp control were fiddly to use,you had to take your eyes off the road to locate them. The Auto setting on the ventilation system will detect pollution ex driving behind a car that is blowing smoke,will switch the air intake to recirculating air then switch back to fresh air when the air is clear!. Disappointed by the lack of rear folding seats which limit practicality but other than that a truly Amazing car .

[@OneTireFire]

Happy you found my review useful! The only (negative) point I would add is the wind noise coming from the sunroof ar higher speeds, even when it’s closed, with its cover drawn. Thank you for watching!

[@BlackStoneMoviesMinecraft]

Excellent review, really like your style. Surprised to see how small your channel still is!

[@OneTireFire]

Build it and they will come! Thanks for watching.

[@randy74989]

Got mine last month, love the 2023 Lexus ES 300h Ultra Luxury fully loaded. It's the Ultra Luxury trim, which is what we wanted and is the highest trim for the ES hybrid. It is the Cloudburst Gray exterior with Acorn color semi-aniline leather interior. Total Installed Packages & Accessories: 1) Premium Triple-beam LED headlamps; 2) Smartacess Card Key; 3) Premium Paint; 4) Lexus Interface with 12.3-in Multimedia Touchscreen Display; 5) Ultra Luxury Package; 6) All weather floor liners and trunk mat; 7) Door edge film by 3M; 8) The Preferred Accessory Package; and 9) The Dealer added a 5-year windshield protection/replacement coverage package and tinted the driver and passenger windows. Averaging 43+ MPG City/Hwy driving and I had the oil and filter changed at 1,000 miles for my own peace of mind. Just For Reference: I was not going to wait one-year or 10,000 miles to have the factory installed oil & filter changed. And, I shall be changing the Oil (Liqui Moly 0W-16 Spec V) and Toyota filter every 5,000 miles from now on. Like Scotty Kilmer says, oil & filters are cheap, engines are expensive. LOL Reply

[@OneTireFire]

Thanks for sharing!

[@richb5322]

This is a vehicle that has an entirely different design and engineering philosophy than a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi. The Lexus, in addition to being a very comfortable and RELIABLE vehicle is also designed to last for decades and be driven for at least 400K kilometers. Take a look at the top end of the engine in a typical German sedan - it’s almost 100% plastic from the intake manifold to the fuel rails, timing chain tensioners and water pump. You won’t find much plastic , where it counts, in the Lexus drive train. You buy the Lexus and, for that matter, any vehicle manufactured by Toyota, to last a long time and be driven for decades. You can’t say the same about any German brand. I know……I have an older ES 350 that has almost 290K miles on the odometer.

[@OneTireFire]

Thanks for sharing! Actual owner feedback is the best!

[@harmdegraaf5579]

Atkinson cycle indeed. I understood that the Atkinson cycle in this engine is achieved by the variable intake valve mechannism. On the power gauge, if you rev the car to beyond the economical area the valves switch out of the Atkinson modus and it then also switches from port injection to direct injection. This engine has 2 injection systrems! Great technology!

[@stamy74]

People buy SUVs and crossovers these days. There is lack of interest in sedans and is normal, cause SUVs are more practical although they don't drive quite as well. Lexus in particular is very interesting as a second hand purchase. Because it is bullet proof and will outlast easily all of its German competitors in the long run, without any significant problems and with much lower cost of maintenance. I am the owner of a 2010 Lexus RX450h. Still with the original hybrid battery after 12 years and totally problem free.

[@OneTireFire]

If what people really wanted was practicality, the wagon would be the most popular body style. What people actually want out of an SUV is to sit higher than other people because it makes them feel better about themselves and it gives them the feeling of safety. Practicality just happens to be a byproduct of many SUVs' boxy shape, which you can again get in a wagon without the pointlessly tall ride height, the extra weight and all the bad things that come with that. The SUV is a status symbol, especially one like your RX. It is my view that most people who own an RX would have been just as happy (and better off financially) in a GS with the same powertrain, a car that is objectively better in every single way than the SUV.

[@stamy74]

@@OneTireFire I have driven the GS and is indeed driving better than my RX. You cannot change physics, the higher centre of gravity needs stiffer suspension. However is not even close in practicality for a family with 2 kids like mine, boot is rather small, rear seats don't fold and rear space is smaller. I was considering buying a GS but for the above reasons I chose the RX instead. The most practical family car is not even the wagon, is the MPV, but nobody buys them these days.

[@hastensavoir7782]

@@stamy74 how about the Ride quality between the 2??

[@stamy74]

@@hastensavoir7782 GS has much better ride.

[@hastensavoir7782]

@@stamy74 I mean between ES and GS

[@tommongelli2186]

Sorry, but I have to correct you. The ES is no longer on the Camry platform, it is now the Avalon. I believe since they went to TNGA platform.

[@OneTireFire]

Well yes, technically you're right. But the Avalon in turn is based on a slightly longer version of the Camry platform. At least that's how I understand it.

[@tommongelli2186]

@@OneTireFire I'm not sure how closely related the Camry and Avalon are. I tend to think the Avalon is much more than a stretched Camry. However, I really don't know. Also, I have owned a Camry and I currently own a '22 ES300H. They are not in the same league. But, of course, they come from the same manufacturer, similarities are inevitable.

[@E_Rice]

Very detailed review. One of the most in-depth reviews I have ever seen. I appreciate you talking about the headlights which is something almost no one ever does.

[@OneTireFire]

Well, headlights are important. Thanks for watching!

[@E_Rice]

Also, appreciate the discussion of the headroom. It seems all Toyota/Lexus cars have low headroom. It’s jarring coming from different cars.

[@emadrumi7620]

Thanks for your videoy my question is that how is this car smooth?? Is it quite??? When driving?

[@OneTireFire]

@@emadrumi7620Thanks for watching! Smoothness is one of its main qualities. It’s smoother than an E-Class, 5 Series or Volvo S60. The CVT is not as annoying and intrusive as it is in other cars. I was very pleasantly surprised by this fact.

[@paulwatson4574]

Absolutely awesome car certainly one of the best.

[@OneTireFire]

Yeah, it's pretty great!

[@lpsoldierPZ]

Never understood why they discontinued the GS but stuck with this one.... All the other sedans of the brand are RWD....

[@OneTireFire]

I think it's all a question of cost, TBH. The ES is probably cheaper to produce than a GS and the profit margins are higher. Lexus buyers don't care if their car is front- or rear-wheel drive. Lexus offers the ES with all-wheel drive for some engine configurations, which doesn't make the vehicle any more fun to drive, but it's an option box that many larger sedan buyers want to tick.

[@lpsoldierPZ]

@@OneTireFire yeah sure, the offer the ES with AWD and...4 cinder 2.5L engine. The beautiful 3.5 V6 is only FWD.... Also this is a luxury brand, cost should not be a priority. It's a 70k euro!

[@bitcoochie4093]

70k euros? Just bought a brand new 2022 model in America for 50k USD

[@OneTireFire]

Cars are a bit more expensive in Europe and my tester was pretty well equipped, although it didn't have all the boxes ticked. It was missing the cameras instead of mirrors, for instance. You got a good deal on yours :)

[@jordanthemaltipoo4580]

Really depends on what comes with the model. Due to strong dollars, I got my fully equipped ES300h for 49K US, which was about $6K cheaper than the fully equipped version from the US.

[@SzabolcsFrink]

I have a 2019 Lexus ES in the same color. I have never been so satisfied with a car, I love it! Before that, my new Camry was a very good car, but the Lexus is better in every way, it's a difference in the luxury category, I can't even imagine buying anything else instead!

[@OneTireFire]

Thanks for sharing! There's definitely more of a difference than you would think between the ES and the Camry. The former is just so much smoother and nicer feeling to be aboard of. It is the kind of car that would make you not want to buy anything lesser :P

[@HecatombRecordings]

Currently, I drive a manual Skoda Octavia MK3 245 VRS in the UK. I like the power and the fact it sticks to the road, but I hate the thin tyres and stiff suspension. But it does give a lot of bang for the buck, has all the gadgets and is a practical size. Commuting traffic and my mid-life age means driving a stiff, turbo car feels pointless as I can never push it to where it wants to be and only ever experience the downsides (pricey premium petrol, noisy, stiff/thumping suspension on potholed roads, rattly interior). I still want at least 200bhp and gadgets like electric heated seats etc, but most manufacturers insist on supplying their cars with large alloys with rubberband tyres when going up the trims to get a stronger engine. I've put the 300h on my shortlist as most reviewers rave about the comfort, smoothness, fit finish etc which ticks a lot of boxes my VRS doesn't. My concerns are the length of this vehicle, the E-CVT transmission (vs a DSG) and the UK price which, for the same money, would put me in a BMW 3 series or Audi A4/A6 which look more modern (esthetically pleasing to my taste) and premium. But as mentioned, have impractical wheels and high upkeep costs (also not as reliable once the warranty runs out). My £30-40k budget for a year old used vehicle can put me into alot of different cars. There is alot of choice, perhaps too much. A good looking vehicle with modern tech that can also offer some thrills VS practicality, comfort and reliability is where my head and heart are fighting. When I'm predominantly driving a car to commute, the later options should be my priority. Thanks for the review, it gives me more to think about.

[@OneTireFire]

In my experience, although I've yet to drive the very latest E-Class, the ES' comfort is second to none. The CVT is less intrusive than you might think-they've gotten way better than they used to be-although it's not at all sporty. If all you want to do in it is just cruise and commute, then it's a really good choice. Reliability is also top-notch for the Lexus.

[@sidz0001]

Absolutely excellent review as well as this car. I was not aware that this car was SO good. It's near perfection. Another car I feel is quite an all-rounder is the Hyundai Tucson 23. Could you try to review that too please?

[@OneTireFire]

Hi, thank you for watching! I agree this generation ES is a fantastic car. Its only downside is high-speed refinement, which isn't as good as its German rivals'. I've been trying to contact the local arm of Hyundai for a while, but so far nobody has answered. Not giving up, though.

[@120Jules120]

Great review!

[@OneTireFire]

Thanks!

[@salihkaya4739]

İs it worth to give away Mercedes e class for a airport transfer taxi service and get This one ? I'm concerned about the lack of boot and storage space. Amazing review by the way.

[@OneTireFire]

Thanks for watching! Hmmm, excellent question. It will probably be more reliable than an E-Class and about as comfortable (even if your E is on air suspension). However, it’s not quite as practical, as you yourself point out if your Merc is four-cylinder diesel, it won’t be as efficient either. The Lexus will make your passengers feel more special, though, since the interior is of very high quality and it’s quite a rare and unique car (at least in Europe).

[@Kenzo9063]

The lack of powertrain options is also another thing to note. If you need power then look at other brands like Mercedes and bmw. And those hybrid models have more power

[@OneTireFire]

Agreed. I mention this in the review.

[@huntGRN]

I don't think you can get an ES V6 AWD anywhere. In the US the 250 is AWD 4 cylinder.

[@OneTireFire]

I was referring to the ES 350 model which I'm pretty sure you used to be able to order with AWD. It looks like AWD is no longer an option, though.

[@FilmScape4K]

So who scratched the front bumper?

[@OneTireFire]

It wasn't me :)

[@russellthechemist8291]

This video has helped me confirm I want one of these as my next car.

[@OneTireFire]

Great choice! Thanks for watching!

[@vladsta3833]

you make great videos

[@OneTireFire]

Thanks for watching!

[@CookingBash]

I am driving currently a e class 2012 but this is defently my next car !

[@OneTireFire]

It's a very different experience to an E-Class, but still great in its own right.

[@salihkaya4739]

Im same as well using it for taxi airport business e class, considering this carto purchase because of it's reliability however I'm concerned about the lack of boot and storage apce in the vehicle

[@silasmotsitsi75]

I drove it for 2 years: fantastic car.

[@OneTireFire]

It's so smooth and comfy. Brilliant cruiser. Thanks for watching!

[@niravshah821]

very thorough review amongst the many out there. enjoyed watching

[@OneTireFire]

Thank you for watching, happy you found it useful!

[@maggieh.9948]

wonder how will the white interior hold up?

[@OneTireFire]

Not well, especially if you wear blue jeans…

[@cultofmodernism8477]

Did you say 70,000 EUR ?

[@OneTireFire]

Yup...

[@rocjackson5975]

He did! And that’s about $65,000 US dollars…. A lot more cost than the US..

[@JohnSmith-fi2gu]

50k for a car with no navigation is a scam

[@OneTireFire]

Well you could get navigation within that budget if you configure it properly. However, I think that nowadays with android auto and apple car play (which the vehicle supports) this is less of an issue than it would have been a few years ago.

[@robertradek5731]

Boring

[@OneTireFire]

Ok

[@pelimies1818]

..but looks like $15000 Toyota.

[@OneTireFire]

I honestly don’t think it does. Is that your honest opinion or are you trolling?

[@pelimies1818]

@@OneTireFire what part of the car does not look like any other Korean/Japanise car? I have no big feelings about cars, no big feelings against any certain brands. Except Russian cars sucks ass.

[@pelimies1818]

@@OneTireFire Now I know why! It looks too much my old car!

[@OneTireFire]

@@pelimies1818looks like you were mislead by your own bias here. I think it looks great, one of the more distinctive sedans you can buy today at any price. Thank you for watching!

[@joonapuro8055]

Älä ny viitti 😂😂