The 2022 Lexus ES is more satisfying than a BMW 5 Series

The premium saloon segment is one dominated by a triumvirate of German cars, but the Lexus ES is an outlier that deserves consideration. The hybrid-only line-up does put the ES at a disadvantage in a segment that is dominated by diesel - and more recently, plug-in hybrids - but Lexus fights back with an unbeatable reputation for reliability and generous levels of standard equipment for the price. Following its first introduction to Europe in 2018, the ES has now come in for a subtle update for 2022 with improvements to the interior design.
Find out more here: www.completecar.ie/car/search...
Chapters
00:01 - Introduction
02:04 - Interior
04:54 - Rear seats
06:22 - Boot capacity
07:33 - Driving
13:19 - Verdict
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[@eamonnmcdermott1939]

Reliability is a massive influencing factor for me when choosing a car. This Lexus will undoubtedly surpass any of it's rivals in this regard. These cars are simply just built to a higher standard over its' rivals and it is manufactured in Japan, another selling point for me!

[@k0618202]

I agree with you but the interior and the dashboard sucks, not worth it for the steep price. The touchscreen lags and is not very responsive. Also the fuel consumption is not great either. On the other hand the exterior looks great, especially the side profile.

[@raftonpounder6696]

So you would buy an ugly, poor driving car just because it won’t break down once in three years? BMWs and Audis don’t break down either you know. And the BMW is a joy to drive. And you don’t look like a Freemason.

[@Julianvanderheijden]

I agree 100%. Have an RX450H (2011) and untill now no problems what so ever! Unbelievable.

[@kane5445]

@@k0618202 touchscreen doesn’t lag but then again i have the Es350 2023

[@pas0003]

Absolutely! I think it's pretty nonsensical to get a less reliable car when paying two or three times as much! That being said I think German cars have the best interiors/exteriors. I'm not a massive fan of Lexus exterior styling. Just looks like a more angular Camry.

[@Dan.Maxim1]

I love Lexus, I couldn’t have said it better, the satisfaction a driver gets from those cars is non-comparable to other brands. I think it’s elegant and smart looking as well. I’m 27 and love saloons, I view most SUVs as something close to a van with seats. Excellent review btw

[@CompletecarIe]

Thank you so much for watching and the comment.

[@Arulchelvan1]

​@@CompletecarIeh

[@MD062010]

100% right! Purchased my '14 ES350, brand new in 11/13- As I approach 9 year mark and with 103K miles on it-- I still can't justify buying a new one. The materials, the body, the mechanics-- I have never owned a vehicle that seems to have never aged... even down to the finest detail. Truly one of the best cars out there- if you're prioritize comfort, quality, and reliability.

[@CompletecarIe]

That's great to hear!

[@robertbaxter2684]

I am an American. I love watching British reviews they are almost as refined as the cars they drive

[@CompletecarIe]

Ahem, we’re Irish 😉 (even better)

[@robertbaxter2684]

My apologies. It was a great review. 😊

[@ECCENTRICERIC69]

@@CompletecarIe Is that a an old Gaelic accent I can here? Maybe from Londinium?

[@farmerlister3863]

We've joined the Lexus pack with my wife this year. She's got the RX450h and I got the ES300h. Now I have to say I like the ES for looks and (much) better fuel economy. Really it is above RX. RX is decent around town but once you hit a highway it is almost like my Landcruiser 200 and that is a surprise. One thing RX is better in than ES is the built quality. RX is like an old super-sturdy tank. ES is much smarter but for example when cold outside, it upholstery of the ceiling or doors tends to squeak here or there and that drives me crazy. True enough, whenever I come to my dealer with "yet another" complaint, they make me a coffee and jump on it, fixing it on the spot. Go try to argue at MB or BMW. That is what I really appreciate and am willing to pay for - the customer service.

[@farmerlister3863]

Update. 2 days ago I've traded my ES in for a brand new (3,5) RX F (black / red interior. Got an awesome deal on the late model, stock supply, no waiting. ES was still squeaking on so it went. RX F is heavenly.

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks for your feedback

[@pedrolopez-sors4291]

Excellent review. Thank you much. I will look at it as my next company car. Best.

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks for watching!

[@timmyoba]

Excellent review 👌

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks! 👍 Hope you enjoyed it. ^DH

[@robstanley7381]

A fabulous review, thanks

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks for watching

When it comes to car reliability, this Lexus will undoubtedly outperform any of its competitors because these cars are simply built to a higher standard than their competitors, and they are manufactured in Japan, which is another selling point for me!

[@CompletecarIe]

Lexus does have an excellent reputation when it comes to this. ^DH

[@FloydFlannigan]

Nice review!

[@CompletecarIe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CarlSmith-bs4qx]

Have one of these on order, having test driven this car and the NX the ES was head and shoulders above from a driving standpoint.

[@deankamaruddin8211]

u will soon notice thy there is a camry lurking underneath.

[@CompletecarIe]

Did you get it yet?

[@CarlSmith-bs4qx]

@@CompletecarIe Yes the car is great got in Nov 22, very refined and perfect for longer trips. Lack of spare wheel for UK spec vehicles and limited turning circle only minor niggles

[@milinshandilya]

Wonderful n honest review

[@CompletecarIe]

Thank you

[@alexanderkaymak]

I’m in Japan, now. Having been here for quite some time I’ve been persuaded by all the great Toyota’s I’ve seen. Having said that the great Toyota’s aren’t available in Europe, so I’ll be looking seriously at the ES, when I get back to the UK, very soon. I think the build quality and interior is far more enticing to me than an E-Class Mercedes, which is what I’ve been using for years. I can’t wait to test drive these little beauties.

[@SergCarReviews]

Hey Alexander, if you like Lexus reviews I've made a few of them including the new ES. If you're interested to watch let me know what you think :)

[@CompletecarIe]

The ES is an underrated car

[@afonsocarneiro]

great review, thanks

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks for watching!

[@BryanChance]

The color beautiful. It seems to change between silver, beige, and light grey...very nice.

[@CompletecarIe]

It does!

[@ThisUserDoesNotExist.]

There is one huge problem with this car. You would want to drive it even when you don’t have to. 😆 got mine exactly a month ago and I have done 300 miles and not one journey was actually needed. Still left with 1/4th tank.

[@SergCarReviews]

Haha that's awesome and congrats mate! If you like Lexus reviews I've made a few of them including the new ES. If you're interested to watch let me know what you think :)

[@Waaaaayne]

Haha same same..

[@Thamac15]

300 miles? You should have close to half a tank left.

[@bayoadeeko1904]

I had mine for 2 weeks and I have driven 1780 miles

[@klaus6578]

How many miles you do full tank ? most city drive ?

[@Dansk55]

Test drove one. Its magical. Its the kind of car that just gets you where you want in style and knowing it will do that forever.

[@CompletecarIe]

Great description. Thanks for watching.

[@planbparadise2046]

Great review - higher-end ES300h models have an electric boot - I personally prefer to carefully push-click the boot/hatch of any car. It's effortless and I don't understand why everybody is slamming their boot/hatch. And yes, Lexus is the King of built quality. And it only takes 5 minutes in a Lexus down at the local dealer to understand this.

[@CompletecarIe]

Thank you!

[@limke-vin230]

Absolutely love the Lexus ES. Very comfortable to sit in, a joy to drive, fantastic workmanship and reliable to own.

[@CompletecarIe]

Reliability is one aspect we hear so often from Lexus owners.

[@angelahe680]

Only in Japan manufacturing High level hybrid engine performance Second hand price still more competitive than same level sedan If Comfort series Es available to add mark levision sound system that is perfect

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks for watching

[@joedogg9836]

There is something about this car that other manufactures cant nail unless you spend $90k+ for their flagships. Its like an LS but for the average person with economy in mind.

[@tectorama]

I presently have an IS300h, and I want one of these.

[@CompletecarIe]

It would be a nice upgrade

[@VishalGupta-od5mf]

One of the main things that I love about Lexus is customer service. I am always greeted by a warm welcome in the dealerships and feel like being part of a family. When I walk into my local MB dealership, hardly anyone comes to greet me. A totally different experience. Lexus staff are so much more helpful than other car brands. I feel valued as a Lexus customer and only wish to buy a Lexus.

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks for sharing!

[@berhoom6204]

Headroom is not necessarily related to height. It's related to torso length - some look tall sitting down but average height when stood up, while others look small sitting and tallish standing.

[@CompletecarIe]

That's true, but people commonly ask how tall we are for reference.

[@sparky6996]

Just appeared on my feed. Im looking at one of these. Footnote the road noise handling is a definitely the road. I drive from Germany to Scotland and I hit more potholes once I've arrived than the 600km before I get on the boat. I counted 16 on a 2 mile road...I counted 5 before I left. Maybe its the what has to be used on the roads but its shocking. Northern Europe is billiard smooth.

[@CompletecarIe]

You're not wrong about the difference in road maintenance in different parts of Europe. Hope you had a good drive!

[@VishalGupta-od5mf]

Pitty the rear seats don't go down. The Takumi edition is my favourite trim level. Lexus cars feel luxurious, quiet and refined.

[@CompletecarIe]

That is a standard feature that should be there

[@vinlondon8904]

I don't get why the seats won't go down. Very weird indeed.

[@erkanozan874]

Thank you for the review! Would you please tell us the color of this car?

[@SergCarReviews]

Looks like titanium silver same as atomic silver

[@erkanozan874]

@@SergCarReviews Thank you but I do not think there is atomic silver anymore. I think there is iridium silver but this looks a bit different.

[@ygk6289]

sonic titanium i believe...

[@erkanozan874]

@@ygk6289 Thank you!

[@CompletecarIe]

This seems to be Sonic Titanium

[@TheHairvids]

Does this Lexus drive same or similar to the 2022 Camry but has better styling?

[@CompletecarIe]

It is similar, but offers a more refined driving experience than the Camry.

[@kodykmt]

Apple car play and android auto can be connected by wirelessly?

[@CompletecarIe]

Lexus now offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

[@bensmithkent22]

Cant watch this guys face without thinking of the creature comforts british gas ads from the 90s.

[@CompletecarIe]

🤨

[@kellypaws]

A proper car. How satisfying.

[@CompletecarIe]

Exactly

[@ianh3475]

Wanted to buy one, in the UK, 12 month waiting list 😞

[@CompletecarIe]

That is a very long time to wait. Few buyers are willing to wait that long.

[@paulwatson4574]

Love it

[@CompletecarIe]

Thanks for watching

[@martinlintzgy1361]

My average is 5.1 lts/100km from my BMW 520d (54 mpg), just average driving around town / country / motorway. 4.8 on my daily drive to work (40km) if i use a light foot, 90km/hr.

[@CompletecarIe]

That's not bad!

[@martinlintzgy1361]

​@CompletecarIe On my 2nd 520d for that very reason. On many occasions 65mpg on my daily 55km commute to work. Mix of country 80km/hrs, roads and motorway

[@martinlintzgy1361]

If i drive with a light foot, i can get over 60mpg (4.7 lts/100km) and keeping the speed below 60mph on the motorway (10 miles) part of my daily commute. My 2nd 520d. A colleague who previously had a 520d, now a ES300h says he prefers the Lexus, due to its luxury & interior, but admits its not as quick and the fuel economy is not as good.

[@sersolo3112]

I got 3.9 on my way to work today in my camry on sports mode 40minute drive with mixed motorway

[@benderdiver]

so how many mpg

[@CompletecarIe]

The official figure is 51.3mpg

[@FilmScape4K]

You have tested the base grade. No motorised boot. No tri head lights. No semi aniline leather. No ML audio. No rear side sun shade. No real wood. No heated rear seats. No reclining rear seats. No driver memory seats. The top trim has all those and feels proper luxury.

[@aerohk]

One thing I noticed is that the higher trim version uses "performance dampers". Meaning the handling is better, but you feel the road more due to stiffer suspension. So the ride comfort might be better on the base tirm

[@tonysterbenc]

@@aerohk That's not what it means. "Performance dampers" don't replace the shocks or struts. They are not part of the suspension. Made by Yamaha, they are additional, horizontally mounted shock absorbers bolted to the front and back members of the frame to absorb low-frequency resonance vibrations.

[@CompletecarIe]

And it's still good!

[@stingray9225]

At least I won't be surprised with engine lights up everytime I drive a BMW or Mercedes

[@CompletecarIe]

That's a fair point

[@bighands69]

If there was no such thing as Lexus Toyota would be making cars of that standard and would probably be the most desired cars on the road.

[@CompletecarIe]

You reckon?

[@Kevin-si1es]

Lexus are the best built cars 🚗 in the world superbly engineered and built to last better than Mercedes benz audi or vw

[@CompletecarIe]

This is something that we often hear back from Lexus owners - very high satisfaction levels.

[@bbordelon2]

Give me German styling any day, and with that said give me Japanese reliability always. I do not need anymore stress in life and Lexus/Toyota delivers in that.

[@CompletecarIe]

The perfect combination!

[@stevejung6470]

7:27 you are wrong, not designed to slam. Power open , close.

[@CompletecarIe]

When it's equipped

[@emanuelefossati3812]

I'm impressed from Lexus: I never considered it for my ignorance, but starting to read here and there about them and the reliability topic. After 15 year of german cars, you can easily imagine some surprises occured... But why, WHY, Lexus doesn't build an Is or a Es in station wagon form, too? Don't want a SUV...

[@CompletecarIe]

A station wagon would be a great addition to the range. Pity Lexus doesn't make them.

[@tonysterbenc]

Because people don't buy them. Even the makers who traditionally have offered station wagon versions of their sedans, like the Mercedes E Class, now have to disguise them with a lift kit and silly cladding to get people interested.

[@mars353]

I’d want an engine option with more power.

[@CompletecarIe]

We'd like to see a PHEV option too.

[@davidpereira9238]

They should use the new NX 350h and 450h+ drivetrains in this car. That'd make up for the loss of the IS

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Worth baring in mind electric only cars aren’t that environmentally friendly either. Production of electricity not totally environmentally friendly. Battery production and end of life not environmentally friendly. I love my CT200H even at 9 years old. With a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty Brilliant

[@CompletecarIe]

They're better for the local environment by not emitting exhaust fumes, but you're correct in that they still have an environmental impact. There's no perfect solution.

[@hichammehditazi9945]

True : German ones used to be better. Not any longer . LEXUS are giving a TOTAL full satisfaction experience

[@CompletecarIe]

Very true. We hear this from a lot of people.

[@speightman79]

Economy at 6L/100kms is still way off the 520D

[@davidyule1973]

On the motorway I get about 59 mpg plus petrol is cheaper than diesel (in the UK anyway)

[@CompletecarIe]

Apples and oranges though. This isn't a diesel.

[@speightman79]

Nice car but really needs a BMW ZF type automatic box.

[@CompletecarIe]

It would be nice with that

[@medamine1984]

"more satisfying than a bmw 5 series" 😮😂😂😂

[@CompletecarIe]

Have you driven one?

[@medamine1984]

@@CompletecarIe it's not about driving it , you gotta be reasonable , bmw is at the top of the food chain , very sofasticated and luxurious with a glorious history and outstanding vehicles , the other one is a Toyota , it's a mid-range car , a lot of manufacturers do that as well (Ford/Lincoln)-(Citroën/DS)-(honda-acura) ...so you have to distinguish between a good car , an excellent car and a premium car and so far only bmw and Mercedes have proved they belong to the last category 😊

[@tonysterbenc]

@@medamine1984 You're right, we gotta be reasonable. Reasonable is taking both your opinion and my opinion out of it entirely and looking at an actual, quantitative survey of satisfaction. Consumer Reports surveyed its readers who own both. Result: BMW 5 Series owner satisfaction, average. Lexus ES owner satisfaction, above average.

[@medamine1984]

@@tonysterbenc it's most definitely a brilliant car , it's too obvious but bmw is still above and remains the ultimate driving machine 😊

[@tonysterbenc]

@@medamine1984 Oh, the 5 is costlier, more capable over the road and unquestionably a more premium car. I was specifically speaking only to the question on the table, "satisfaction."

[@rammohan1991]

talk to me

[@CompletecarIe]

About?

[@rammohan1991]

@@CompletecarIe i meant you are talking straight . the Japanese do it best

[@deankamaruddin8211]

bmw is the more complete car.

[@CompletecarIe]

The 5 Series is more engaging to drive, that's for sure. But there is plenty to like about this Lexus.

[@jeffreylinehan1613]

The statement about quality is a bit ridiculous in my opinion. Ok I’m a BMW fanboy but even I can admit that Mercedes is the top of the top there. To say Audi is closer to it than Merc I wouldn’t believe. Interior looks plasticky. A self charging hybrid is green washing as the engine still needs to provide the energy just less is wasted. Even taking the BMW out of the equation the Audi and the Merc would be far superior for the competition cars.

[@hadjebi]

Have you tested and touched this car? I did, and I also tested and drove 4 different E Classes before it, when I still was in love with Mercedes. Then I went for a test drive with ES, and it changed everything.

[@georgeg1947]

I own the Mercedes Benz E300 and its not reliable. It’s been in the shop for computer and software problems many times and Mercedes Benz does not know how to fix it. Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi are all problematic cars. The Lexus ES300 is very reliable and it is a much nicer looking car than the BMW 500 series, Mercedes Benz E300 or the Audi A6.

[@hedar2133]

my parents had the bmw 5 series 2018, AND THE LEXUS IS MUCH BETTERRR we have the es 300h 2021 AND ITS MUCHH BETTER

[@tonysterbenc]

How is conserving 1/3 to 1/2 of the fuel "greenwashing"?

[@jeffreylinehan1613]

@@tonysterbenc well in simple terms the vehicle in question is a mild hybrid, it is not a plug in hybrid or an electric car. I am not suggesting the alternatives are perfect I am merely defining what it is. As a result the engine must charge that small battery on board to provide the required power at move off or overtaking or whatever it is. It is therefore 100% powered by fossil fuel using a battery to try smooth out the peaks and troughs of power requirements. Imo that’s greenwashing because whilst yes you use less fuel than without it Toyota is claiming self charging hybrids and fuel savings etc which are all correct but almost every other manufacturer is using similar tech and just calling it what it is, it’s a mild hybrid. End of. It’s designed to get the CO2 down for tax purposes on the most ridiculous test for vehicles. Yes the test is at fault but the test isn’t reality. Reality is that you will see fuel savings but you cannot achieve the fuel savings advertised in real life. Same for all vehicles like electrics btw. It’s just a big scam imo to pass a test.

[@davidhuysmans67]

I hate the dracula nose on this Lexus, the huge grill on Audi's, the idiotic rabbitteeths on Beemers, the fact that you can't get a star on the bonnet of the new Mercedes C etc etc etc. Al reasons not to buy any of these cars.

[@CompletecarIe]

What one looks best?

[@tonysterbenc]

What you hate on all these cars is the result of pedestrian crash standards that force all brands to have a front end that's a big flat face of soft deformable plastic. Each one is just seeking a different way to disguise it and minimize the eyesore.

[@jimmysantadeo2031]

LIES...

[@CompletecarIe]

Truth!

[@Welovedaxies]

It’s got a CVT, the end!

[@CompletecarIe]

🤣🤣

[@davidkirkham6497]

Cvt with planetary gears! Not pulleys & belts like other Cvt’s!👍😀