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

Ask me anything about the Lexus ES!

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.

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.

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

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 .

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

Absolutely awesome car certainly one of the best.

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?

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.

I drove it for 2 years: fantastic car.

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

very thorough review amongst the many out there. enjoyed watching

Great review!

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

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

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.

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

you make great videos

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

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

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.

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

So who scratched the front bumper?

wonder how will the white interior hold up?

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

Did you say 70,000 EUR ?

50k for a car with no navigation is a scam

..but looks like $15000 Toyota.

Boring