Lexus ES 2022 review | updated hybrid luxury sedan | Chasing Cars

We test the updated Lexus ES 300h and see what this luxury sedan is like to drive.
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The Lexus ES has accounted for a quarter of all Lexus sales in history. So, does this midsize luxury sedan deserve your attention? Now offered with a 2.5-litre petrol or a petrol-electric hybrid, the updated Lexus ES is remarkably good to drive and affordable compared to typical German rivals.
Today we test the updated ES 300h Sports Luxury. This car competes with the Audi A4 and A6, BMW 3 Series and 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
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Time codes:
0:00 - What is the Lexus ES?
1:43 - Interior in black leather
5:07 - Back seats
7:16 - Boot space
8:06 - Running costs
9:23 - What is the ES 300h like to drive?
16:15 - Lexus ES expert verdict

[@eamonnmcdermott1939]

The biggest difference between this car and it's competitors: reliability. If I was in the market for a car in this segment I would choose this car, undoubtedly. Great review Tom as always!

[@chasingcars]

Thanks!

[@protomatala180]

@@chasingcars can we go for 16 or 17 inches rim?what if we rplace it with 16 inches rim for more comfort?

[@meshail59]

I believe unlike other Lexus ES, the hybrid version ES 300h uses 87 octane gasoline, not the premium fuel.

[@rosswinter7145]

Lexus states that the engine in the ES requires 95 octane.

[@OnlineMD]

Hi from the USA. Just yesterday we drove home a 2022 ES300h hybrid car (a 120 mile drive). It is simply amazing. I was about to buy a more basic model with an 8 inch screen and no navigation, but luckily the dealer had one with the full 12 inch screen and the premium Mark Levinson sound system. What a huge difference (pun not intended!) the larger screen makes! Much more colorful and provides so much more information. Don't ever buy this car with an 8 inch screen. That would be penny wise and pound foolish. The car also has 18 inch wheels which are stunning. The auto-cruise works extremely well. The car is so quiet on the highway and really, for a hybrid, has excellent acceleration. The sound system is grand listening to HD radio, but the sound quality using Bluetooth from my cell phone, was a bit disappointing. Not bad, really, but in truth the sound system on my 2013 Lexus ES sounded better using the same phone and app (Spotify). I will explore this further. Each sound source has its own choices of sound settings. All said and done, this is a superb car indeed. I've heard that some dealers in the USA are charging thousands of dollars more than list price because of the severe shortage of these new cars. Fortunately I just paid list price and they gave a fair price for my trade-in.

[@smithjohn2416]

My dream car. Probably the most subtle, but quality exuding vehicle on the market. It is not trying to impress with aggressive styling, and it is not trying to be athletic by competing in a horsepower battleground. I will say this now, it is the nicest modest luxury sedan on the Australian market.

[@nickgruzevskis8629]

As an current LS460 owner I was recently given an F Sport while my LS was at my local Lexus dealer. I was quietly surprised with the experience, as a package the car is quite compelling, from the quality and space of interior, to the ride quality and the biggest one the hybrid drive train, as it really suits the car. Interior and boot space wise I didn’t find it much smaller than my LS. After handing it back I found myself missing it. I would miss the sound of my V8 but not the fuel economy. Great work Tom, you’re feedback was bang on what I thought.

[@chasingcars]

Thanks Nick. I like the LS 460.

[@InternetDude]

I have an LS500 and am going to buy an ES300h instead. The hybrid system is just so incredible.

[@nickgruzevskis8629]

@@InternetDude Agree, after three days on loan I was sold on the hybrid drive train and the package as a whole.

[@cosettapessa6417]

@@nickgruzevskis8629 ls460 of which year?

[@nickgruzevskis8629]

@@cosettapessa6417 2007

[@butchyau]

Great review Tom. Really like your “ordinary driver” perspective, not focussed on 0-60 time only like many reviewers!

[@santillbrezon2161]

I really like your vehicle reviews Tom, your unbiased and thats great.👍

[@siquanwu3131]

Love the review Tom, as always the best in Australia.

[@chasingcars]

Much appreciated!

[@pierceb2105]

Just got a new camry hybrid as a rental and it's crazy good. The reason why I'm here.

[@vinayshsureshram277]

Awesome, Tom. Thanks. Love your reviews, big fan! I've pre-ordered the 2022 NX 350h hybrid. Can't wait for your review!

[@thefreshestprince89]

How much are you expecting the new NX350h to cost? Thinking about getting one as well…

[@vinayshsureshram277]

@@thefreshestprince89 cool. I'm hoping it will cost more or less the same as the current gen. It should be $75-85k based on the enhancement packs and trim you choose. I'm going with the F Sport AWD with all enhancement packs (Mark Levinson sound system included) in Sonic Chrome. You can check with your local Lexus dealer.

[@davidarter9670]

Another excellent review of a vastly improved and excellent car

[@coldude2559]

As usual great job mate👍👍👐

[@dbmclean3660]

Liked your review. This would be my lotto win car.😀

[@ahh1180]

Beautiful car and another good review Tom

[@chasingcars]

Many thanks!

[@mig3872]

Great review thank you. Which do you prefer driving, this Lexus or Genesis G80? And which would be better value in US do you think?

[@MedMed-fd9mh]

Great review … did you drive the ES 250 and if you do how it’s drive compared to 300h

[@meowymeow282]

Hi Tom, how quiet is it on coarse chip bitumen at country speeds compared to a Camry SL? Also, have the headrests given you any neck pain/ back pain?

[@jhref]

The red gives me Mazda Soul Red vibes

[@rosswinter7145]

Very good review, Tom. You have made 4 mistakes in specification. The 12.3" screen, and the wood inserts on the SL steering wheel are not new for 2022 - the screen has always been 12.3", and the SL model has always had the steering wheel wood inserts. AA and AC are also not new, having been added not long after the model's intro here. Also, the enhancement pack for the luxury model does not include the SL's rear centre console with controls. That is exclusive to the SL. The EP for the luxury also costs more than not very much at all - it costs $9300.

[@analysethis6061]

Fantastic review Tom. I test drove the 2019 ES sports luxury. Simply superb car. The 2022 is much better and I can only agree with you. How about a review on UX300e and NX, Tom?

[@chasingcars]

Content coming soon on those cars.

[@analysethis6061]

@@chasingcars You The Man, Tom

[@nostradamus2642]

Great review Tom. Is the 2.5 litre engine the same in the RAV4 hybrid ? If so, there must be a ton of sound deadening material in the ES for the RAV4 is incredibly noisy at higher revs.

[@thtupid]

It is indeed the same engine.

[@chasingcars]

Yes, it's the same.

[@siddharthgoyal4008]

It's a different tune, and reworked components in the engine. The sound is much less.

[@stevenyeung2110]

Always appreciate the reviews Tom. I'm now in the market for a new car and was tossing between the base model of the ES and the Accord hybrid. Which would you recommend.

[@robovac3557]

Which did you get, Steve?

[@gordonclark7632]

I am a bit confused about the Hybrid engines. Is there a battery set up that is a consumable in the future which will have to be replaced or is the electric motor just that wear or replacement issues? I hope this makes sense? The centre dash looks like a Toyota Camry where it curves down towards the driver's left leg. I am glad that there are no fake rear vents like the Camry (black plastic and do nothing)

[@glennbell5075]

Tom do we know why the ES in its home market changed to a Lithium battery which moved to under the rear seat freeing up more boot space but Australian delivered ES continue with the Nickel Metal Hybrid setup? Seems strange as Camry have updated their battery tech but Lexus here haven’t?

[@jasonalpha]

Good review, but I disagree with your statement about feeling the early cars change to electric . In my 2nd generation RX400h many years ago, you couldn’t feel any difference.

[@jyfsh-rq9jc]

Owning a is350 fsport, one of the last ones. I'm kinda annoyed about the ES only getting the AVS in the Fsport version and not the top trim, the LS gets AVS from fsport model up. I'm not entirely sure how much difference the sports modes would make in a hybrid, after all, can hybrids be sports sedans? Low power, typically fwd, doesn't really make sense to me for sports car.

[@thetad1242]

My! The red interior you reviewed last year is much more beautiful than this black silent interior.

[@lawrencetaylor5407]

One thing I wish they offered here in Canada is the rear console with HVAC controls.

[@caredragen9631]

Lexus 🤩🤩❤

[@amrdiab3940]

Great car Wheezy powertrain

[@martintokinaga5261]

Appreciate if you can do a specific clip on the new Australia Safety regulations that causes many car models to be off market ! such as what is this new regulations about and more details about it. Thanks in advance.

[@chasingcars]

Good idea.

[@martintokinaga5261]

@@chasingcars May I also suggest a list of car that are pull out because of this new regulation. Thanks.

[@frank21cn1]

6:36 I could hear your camera man chuckled. Lol.

[@jameswillett7186]

In the United States the Lexus ES is available with a 3.5 litre V-6 engine.

[@alanhumphrey4198]

That's the engine my 2017 ES has, and I hope to keep it a long time...I just can't see myself in a hybrid; maybe I can go completely EV someday.

[@thtupid]

My only gripe (other than Power figures... 180kw minimum please) is the fwd system. I know real world driving 90% of the time it doesn't matter. But those 10% of the time just makes things that much more pleasant. Wet roads, off the line, steering feel, turning circle etc. After going RWD in the IS, I just don't know if I can go back to FWD anymore.

[@mig3872]

2022 ES250 is AWD in US. Not sure about Australia.

[@thtupid]

@@mig3872 The AWD is not available in Australia. Also, that AWD system is not exactly tailored to "sporty" driving; more for getting people out of trouble due to the conditions in north America.

[@felix_five]

Nice looking Camry

[@chasingcars]

Yes and no. GA-K platform, but it doesn't really feel like a Camry to drive at all

[@siquanwu3131]

Still the most comfortable sedan in Australia, and legendary Lexus reliability, I love my 2020 ES300H f sports with red interior. Only downside, I have been mistaken as a limo driver or lux Uber driver when waiting to pick up my wife (I wear suit on workdays) on more times than I can remember. Clearly most popular limo in Australia.

[@anthonybutto1925]

Are these real leather seats for if they are, then they're treatable and in my opinion, if I'm correct in saying, they can last you a long time and you may not need leather seat coverings for them. But if they're not treatable then definitely they'd need seat coverings for them. Also if you wanna save a few quid, instead of getting a car of this brand with leather seats, can you get one without them brand new?

[@somergoyt]

Hi, good content n all mate, but you prolly want to get rid of that logo as is and replace it with the transparent version that's only the white part, not green

[@FilmScape4K]

It does have a hybrid meter. Looks like someone changed the setting to show the techometer

[@simoncouch1523]

who has 52 unread messages my OCD is going heywire hahaha another wicked review tho!

[@chasingcars]

Me

[@simoncouch1523]

@@chasingcars hahahah

[@davidpereira9238]

If the rear seats were foldable (properly, not like the IS) it'd be awesome

[@haithamal-qaderi2588]

The best reviewer in Australia! Anyway the new NX 2022 is still far behind this car. This is the best car Lexus ever made, apart from the LS or other sport cars.

[@nchia]

Love that round clock.

[@KK-qi6mt]

Where is the car made? Japan or USA? Plus does the car have the latest version of the hybrid system or is it like the pre-facelift. Plus are there any plans for a Plug in Hybrid model?

[@gjmob]

Japan. You won't find Australians buying u.s. made cars, as they have learnt their lessons.

[@KK-qi6mt]

@@gjmob I thought the previous ES irrespective of where you bought it came from USA. I could be wrong on this.

[@KK-qi6mt]

@@gjmob I thought the previous ES irrespective of where you bought it came from USA. I could be wrong on this.

[@chasingcars]

Japan

[@KK-qi6mt]

@@chasingcars thanks for the reply. Is the back up camera still grainy? I test drove a one last year and I could not believe what poor quality it was. It was either that or the screen was too large for the pixels. It was a real let down to see that they got 90% of the car right but they just mucked it bit and pieces and it felt low rent. The gear lever also felt a bit cheap and nasty. I am used to BMW shift system and a that in a VF commodore. Using the ES’s system just felt plastic. It is hard to describe. I think I am used to the gear lever moving in a straight line without the clunking.

[@FilmScape4K]

ADR rules are pointless. The IS and RC has better agility and stopping ability than most cars allowed to be sold under new ADR side impact rules. ADR doesn’t even mandate self belt for buses carrying a full load of kids.

[@Mikey-wj4ms]

I hear stories of mechanics who have never worked on a Camry, Ever! Another mechanic told me those Yaris pathology fleet cars go 700k on the original engine. Lexus/Toyota are the way to go.

[@scottdelinger1]

In Canada, I cannot understand how they call this a luxury car and yet it is not available with rear seat heaters. Not an issue in Australia, but even some mid-tier Korean crossovers have heated rear seats here.

[@solid7468]

Is this car based upon or related to 2022 Camry SL?

[@AlexGonoff]

ES is based on a bigger Avalon though they do share some in common with Camry as both now use TNGA architecture.

[@chasingcars]

Related via the GA-K platform

[@bugsy791]

i disagree with you about how seemless older Toyota hybrid engine integration is, I drive a 2014 Toyota Crown and the engine stat up is very refine...[ i cant talk about other Toyota hybrids]

[@neilr4867]

I've driven the 21 model. Struck me as a luxurious Camry.

[@kieranmccann7823]

Should make a list for the cars that are being cut for our market. Jimny?????

[@chasingcars]

We're not aware of plans to end Jimny for Australia! It is very popular so Suzuki would likely invest in changes to comply with changed ADRs if need be

[@rosen9425]

Dang it! I can't get those rims in anything below Luxury spec, rocketing the price to the moon. List price for that trim ends up at equivalent 94,000 AUD holy shitballs

[@AdamAus85]

Man that black a pillar trim vs grey b pillar trim is pretty distracting.

[@brainsmatterpodcast]

Wish they still sold the GS series here!

[@George-ur8ow]

They cancelled it worldwide in 2020, sadly.

[@brainsmatterpodcast]

@@George-ur8ow I know, it’s such a pity! 🙁

[@wholeNwon]

Would consider it but first have to wait for my LS400 to die. It's only 23.5 years old, so might be a while.

[@rosen9425]

lol the downside of Lexus owning is you won't experience many models in your lifetime, only swapping it in for the sake of getting someting newer

[@wholeNwon]

@@rosen9425 Are there newer ones? I never bothered looking.

[@natakritnakalertgawee9300]

In Thailand, ES300h F Sport price is equivalent to 182,500 AUD.... Imma cry.

[@natakritnakalertgawee9300]

@Zero All imported cars are subjected to pay a lot of taxes. However, Benz and BMW, they set up a plant in Thailand so some models are cheaper but still very expensive when compared to other countries. Starting price for German cars are above 80,000 AUD.

[@jamienat.1943]

I can still hear that engine even when you are talking and can hear it really rev considering your just driving around town. Thats a shame. Nice car though.

[@sjh4803]

Always a space saver. That alone cuts it out of contention for anyone that does regular country miles. Why can't it be optioned for a full size spare ?

[@GlowingTube]

This is the nicest Camry I’ve seen.

[@azurecoast45]

Bit of a shame you review top spec and not one of the more attainable / realistic(?) models.

[@chasingcars]

Many, many of our videos are not top-spec

[@supaahflyy]

Wait the new is failed the test and isn't sold now? 😂

[@bbatbileg]

Lexuses or Lexi?

[@dennisfrancisco5686]

As they say “no such thing as an accidental death”

[@fredwalsh4108]

The rear end looks like a Mazda 6

[@jasonr2670]

I acknowledge all its virtues but I’d still only consider a LC500 from the Lexus range. That’s the only current Lexus model that excites me.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

ES is literally better for most people.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

I'd like to see a Lexus wagon. The 2022 Lexus IS 350 Wagon Rendering looks awesome but we wont be getting that I guess.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

​@@gregsullivan7408 Debadge an Arteon and most would struggle to identify it. As for a 'common limo shape' I sorta see what you mean. It's a very different type of consumer there.

[@gjmob]

As a limo in AU, a wagon would need to have a cargo barrier and would then look like a Government car.

[@chasingcars]

IS wagon would be awesome

[@maisondav1d]

The IS would look so good as a wagon

[@hastensavoir7782]

Would you say this is the Quintessential Lexus?

[@chasingcars]

For me the quintessential Lexus is still the LS, but this is a good car too

[@hastensavoir7782]

@@chasingcars what’s weird is some people are saying this is more spacious than the LS

[@saymichaelwibowo4045]

is this guy our prime minister?

[@dreaminofthedrive5343]

It actually seem pretty cheap for what you get.

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, it's pretty good value

[@rosen9425]

Cheap? Hell no. Good value yes.

[@NickLiang]

Jesus christ the touch screen is soooooo slow......

[@rjohns25]

Holy f*** - $78k for an ES!?!?

[@WaheedKhan-mm3pw]

Australian dollars

[@flawns]

at that price point. I would rather get LS

[@chasingcars]

The LS is $200K

[@flawns]

@@chasingcars I was referring to LS500. 80-90K USD. But then I realized were not in the same region. My mistake

[@TenzWang88]

Toyota Camry hybrid with Lexus badge and charge double price of a Camry 😂😂

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

For the same money could get a used RC F. Only live once, to hell with sensibility 🤣

[@chasingcars]

Good point…

[@ohhhyeahhh3950]

Nearly cars now feel luxurious even a 40K Outlander that you reviewed the other day. I don't get why would anyone buy this over a top spec Camry except for the Lexus emblem Regular cars have become so luxurious even a Corolla ZR deeming this segment redundant.

[@chasingcars]

Refinement and ride comfort are quite different between this vehicle as a top shelf Camry

[@frank21cn1]

Lexus also has much better customer experience in the dealership than any German brands imo.

[@ohhhyeahhh3950]

@@chasingcars Is that due to a different suspension? The new Camry is pretty comfortable, quiet and full of luxurious features when it comes to safety and technology. I was surprised with the interior and drive of a Taxi car.

[@vkdlvkdl]

LOL You lost all credibility when you said Corolla is luxurious.

[@ohhhyeahhh3950]

@@vkdlvkdl Compare a 2021 Corolla Zr with a 5 years old Lexus.

[@acde9355]

No hybrid, no Lexus.

[@bennaturan8862]

Toyota mechanics are the least skilled/experienced mechanics in the world Do you know why? They never worked on a toyota that has failed EVER

[@geraldnorris7879]

Mm8

[@bryans2790]

Stupid ADR standards.. What a joke

[@jenny8296]

Tom is sexy af I love nerds.

[@chasingcars]

Take a number

[@malsmith2012]

@@chasingcars Well said Tom!! Hilarious!

[@brycem0]

@@chasingcars Stalker's don't take numbers. 😀

[@HaruHaruman]

Lexus interior is just so outdated..

[@vasilileung2204]

God is this a tutorial on how to make a boring video?