Lexus ES

The Lexus ES 300h, tailored for India, blends Japanese precision with luxury in its 2025 updates across Exquisite and Luxury variants, powered by a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine paired with an electric motor for 212bhp and seamless CVT shifting. Its spindle grille and sleek lines command road presence, while the GA-K platform ensures planted handling and plush ride over potholes, with ground clearance suiting most urban roads despite user notes on lows. Inside, a driver-centric cockpit features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital cluster, and premium trims like bamboo wood, offering vast front space but tighter rear headroom for six-footers. Standouts include 10 airbags, panoramic view monitor, adaptive cruise, lane assist, and a 22kmpl efficiency edge, plus a practical hybrid boot. I view it as a refined daily driver excelling in comfort, silence, and reliability, ideal for families or executives prioritizing low costs and exclusivity over sporty dynamics in India's diverse conditions.

The Lexus ES 300h captivates me with its Japanese minimalism in India, featuring a bold spindle grille, LED headlights, and 18-inch alloys on a stretched 2,870mm wheelbase for commanding road presence. Inside, I sink into supremely comfortable seats with 40:20:40 split rear bench, ample legroom for five, and premium touches like dual-zone climate, 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation, and 10-speaker audio—though headroom tests tall passengers. Powering it is a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine plus electric motor for 212bhp/213Nm, paired to a seamless e-CVT driving front wheels to 100kmph in 8.1 seconds, with 22.37kmpl ARAI efficiency suiting urban India. Safety leads with LSS+ including adaptive cruise, lane trace, pre-collision braking, 10 airbags, and 360-degree camera, all on a rigid platform tuned for serene handling over bad roads. At 165mm ground clearance, it navigates speed breakers decently, offers 454-litre boot, and hybrid perks like regenerative braking. I recommend it for buyers prioritizing refined luxury, low ownership costs, and reliability in a segment dominated by maintenance-heavy Germans—perfect for executives or families seeking effortless sophistication.

I find the Lexus ES 300h to be a standout choice in India's luxury sedan market, delivering serene hybrid motoring that prioritizes refinement over outright thrills, making it ideal for buyers seeking effortless urban cruising and long-distance comfort. With its 2.5-litre petrol-electric powertrain producing 212bhp and 213Nm, it glides silently in EV mode at low speeds, offering smooth acceleration to 100kmph in 8.1 seconds while capping top speed at 180kmph, all backed by Lexus's legendary reliability. The cabin impresses with opulent materials like Shimamoku wood trims, supportive seats, and a spacious boot rare for hybrids, though tall rear passengers might feel headroom pinch. Ride quality absorbs Indian road imperfections superbly on the GA-K platform, with minimal cabin noise even on highways, and safety shines via Lexus Safety System+ including 10 airbags, adaptive cruise, and blind-spot monitoring. While not as feature-packed or dynamically sharp as German rivals, its efficiency, exclusivity, and lower running costs make it a smart buy for those valuing tranquility and sustainability over sportiness—perfect if you want luxury that whispers rather than shouts.

I find the Lexus ES 300h to be a standout choice in India's luxury sedan market, delivering serene hybrid refinement that German rivals can't match with their thirstier engines. Its 2.5-litre petrol-electric powertrain offers smooth, silent acceleration up to 212bhp, perfect for city commutes and highways alike, while the GA-K platform ensures a plush ride that absorbs potholes effortlessly. The cabin wraps me in opulent leather, Shimamoku wood trims, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, though I wish it included wireless Android Auto. Safety shines with Lexus Safety System+, 10 airbags, and panoramic parking aids, making it ideal for family use. At around ₹62-79 lakh ex-showroom, it prioritizes tranquil luxury over sportiness, appealing to buyers seeking low running costs and exclusivity without the drama. In my drives, the spindle grille commands presence, boot space impresses for a hybrid, and overall build quality promises longevity, positioning it as a smart buy for discerning owners valuing comfort and efficiency over outright pace.

The 2024 Lexus ES is set to arrive in dealerships in the summer of 2023, featuring minor but significant updates. One of the key additions is a new Technology Package available on all trim levels, which includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a Head-Up Display, and a SmartAccess Card Key. This package enhances the vehicles tech and convenience features. I think this update will make the ES even more appealing to tech-savvy buyers.

For the 2024 model year, the Lexus ES will offer new wheel designs, including 18-inch wheels with a Vapor Chrome finish that come standard on the Ultra Luxury grade. Additionally, the ES will feature 19-inch split five-spoke alloy wheels with a Gloss Black finish on F SPORT models, adding a sporty touch to the exterior. I believe these new wheel options will give the ES a fresh and stylish look.

Lexus has announced that the 2024 ES will come with an extensive collection of advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS) as part of the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5. Features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. This robust safety suite makes the ES a safe choice for drivers. I think this is a great move by Lexus to prioritize safety.

The 2024 Lexus ES will maintain its three engine options, including the efficient hybrid powertrain in the ES 300h, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 215 horsepower. This hybrid model is known for its smooth acceleration and good fuel economy.

The 2024 Lexus ES continues to emphasize comfort and serenity over performance, making it a unique offering in the midsize luxury car market. The vehicle retains its three powerful engine options, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid drivetrain. This focus on comfort is what sets the ES apart from its rivals.

In India, the Lexus ES 300h comes in two variants: the Exquisite at around ₹62.65 lakh ex-showroom, escalating to the Luxury variant nearer ₹68-70 lakh ex-showroom, though recent quotes peg the range at ₹73.4 lakh to ₹79.1 lakh ex-showroom depending on location and updates. On-road prices in Delhi, for instance, hit about ₹73.43 lakh for Exquisite and ₹79.06 lakh for Luxury, factoring in 12-15% road tax, insurance around ₹2-3 lakh, RTO registration, and fastag—pushing totals higher in states like Karnataka or Maharashtra with steeper taxes up to 18%. I see this pricing as a strong value proposition in the luxury hybrid segment, undercutting petrol-powered Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3 Series starters by 10-20% while matching their opulence and exceeding in efficiency, with Lexus's five-year unlimited km warranty and low depreciation adding long-term savings. For budget-conscious luxury seekers, the Exquisite offers 90% of the Luxury's perks minus some trims, making it the smarter entry if you're financing—monthly EMIs around ₹1.2-1.5 lakh over five years at 9% interest—without compromising the premium experience that holds resale value well in India's market.

In India, the 2025 Lexus ES 300h comes in two variants: Exquisite at ₹62.65 lakh ex-showroom and Luxury at around ₹68-70 lakh ex-showroom, though some listings show up to ₹73.4-79.1 lakh depending on location and updates. On-road prices in Delhi, for instance, rise to ₹73.43 lakh for Exquisite and ₹79.06 lakh for Luxury, factoring in 12-15% road tax, insurance around ₹2-3 lakh, RTO registration, and fastag fees. I see this pricing as a bargain in the luxury segment, undercutting BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class hybrids while offering unmatched quietness and hybrid savings. The premium feels justified by Toyota's bulletproof reliability, minimal depreciation, and low service costs—often under ₹20,000 annually post-warranty. For buyers financing, EMIs start at ₹1.2-1.5 lakh monthly over 5 years at 9% interest, making it accessible for high-net-worth individuals. Opt for Exquisite if budget-conscious; Luxury adds ventilated seats and Mark Levinson audio worth the jump. Overall, its value shines through lower fuel and maintenance bills, helping you save lakhs over rivals in the long run.

I rate the ES 300h's claimed 22.37kmpl ARAI figure as realistic for India, delivering 18-20kmpl in mixed city-highway use thanks to its efficient hybrid system that favors EV mode in traffic. Running costs stay low at ₹4-5 per km on premium fuel, beating rivals and aiding buying decisions for high-mileage urban drivers concerned about fuel bills and emissions.

I get real-world figures of 20-22kmpl in mixed Indian conditions with the ES 300h's efficient 2.5-litre hybrid, beating petrol rivals by 30-40% and slashing running costs to ₹4-5 per km at current fuel prices. Its EV mode handles city traffic brilliantly, ideal for cost-conscious buyers eyeing 10,000+ km yearly without breaking the bank.