Reviewed: ES 300h | CT 200h | RX 450h Lexus has a reputation for making vehicles that are comfortable, quiet, safe, reliable, but perhaps a bit boring. Although the company is trying to create a more exciting brand image, through such vehicles as the exotic LFA and the new RC coupe, its bread and butter will continue to be more sensible sedans and crossovers for the foreseeable future. What most people probably don’t realize is that Lexus also makes some of the most fuel-efficient luxury vehicles on the road. Through liberal application of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, Lexus offers 6 different hybrid models, more than any other luxury automaker. We recently had the opportunity to test the three bestselling Lexus hybrids: the ES 300h, CT2 00h, and RX 450h. Although none of these models offer the kind of thrilling performance or radical styling that would land them on a magazine cover, the combination of luxury, practicality, and efficiency offered by each makes a lot of sense for car buyers looking to upgrade from a standard sedan, hatchback, or crossover. 2015 Lexus ES 300h Likes: Disikes: Impressively efficient for a large sedan Conservative styling is a bit boring Refined hybrid powertrain makes for smooth driving Definitely not a sport sedan Interior is spacious and comfortable The Avalon hybrid is almost as good, for less $$ Superb Mark Levinson sound system The ES 300h seeks to answer the question, is it possible to make a comfortable and luxurious, yet also fuel-efficient large sedan? Although the words large and fuel-efficient often don’t end up in the same sentence together, the ES300h manages to pull it off, and without sacrificing much in the process. The ES 300h shares the same powertrain as the hybrid versions of the Camry and Avalon sedans. Based on a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, output isn’t spectacular at a combined 200 horsepower, but the system has been refined to the point that it works quite well. Integration between the gas engine, electric motor, continuously variable transmission and braking system is truly quite seamless, making for smooth and uneventful driving. Ride quality is suitably plush, although not to the point that the car folds over as soon as you approach a corner. Folks looking for any kind of sportiness or performance should definitely look elsewhere, though, as the ES 300h isn’t exactly quick. But given that it doesn’t lose much acceleration compared with the V6 powered ES 350, and yet gains a sizable increase in efficiency, this is one hybrid that actually makes a decent amount of sense. Mellow driving netted us close to 40 mpg, a remarkable figure for a full-size car. Sure, gas prices are low right now, making it difficult to justify the extra cost of the hybrid versus a regular ES. As soon as prices go back up, though, which they surely will, ES 300h owners will be happily avoiding the pump courtesy of a 500+ mile range. Although the ES 300h is slotted more toward the entry side of the luxury spectrum, our well-appointed test car did not fail to pamper us with ample comfort and an array of features. Both the interior and exterior are conservatively styled, and the interior doesn’t scream opulence, but the choice of materials and overall build quality is anything but cheap. Spend more than a few minutes in the spacious back seat and you start to realize how nice riding in a large sedan can be. Making the journey even more enjoyable is the optional Mark Levinson surround sound system, which is truly one of the better car audio systems available today, especially for the price. Lexus makes most of the latest safety and technology features available on the ES 300h, although checking every box on the option sheet can easily push the price over $50k. Which is about the only problem with the ES 300h, as you can get most of the same comfort and features for quite a bit less in the form of the Avalon hybrid. Sure, the lack of a Lexus badge is a deal breaker for some, but anyone looking to save some cash would be well advised to also visit their local Toyota dealership. Continue to next page for our take on the CT 200h and RX 450hfrom eBay Motors Blog http://ift.tt/1v8YcHX
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