2013 Lexus ES350 and ES300h
Reformed and restyled for the new model year, the 2013 Lexus ES line comes to us sporting better looks, tighter handling and two available powertrains. I sampled them both recently here at Autonet: the straight-up gasoline powered ES350 and the hybrid ES300h.
Externally, the vehicles are nearly identical, in fact, strangely, and presumably by sheer coincidence, both my test cars were the same color, dubbed “satin cashmere metallic” by the manufacturer. Fortunately, you can get the car in other colors.
(The paint job is a beige tone that goes from looking champagne pink under florescent lights to a kind of light tan when viewed in full daylight. It was compared unfavorably to Granny Panties by one of my vehicle scientists, the dread Mexican wrestler known only as El Wimbu; and I dared not ask her how she knew).
The ES has been accused of ‘blandness’ in the past, but the company is working through that with bolder design. The new grille in particular has given the car a far more recognizable and likeable face, and added character where before there was a rather unremarkable front end.
The cars have also been made incrementally roomier within, which is a big plus.
This, the smaller of Lexus’ midsize luxury sedans, was never my favorite in the past – mostly owing to the headroom, or lack thereof, inside. The 2013 model gains space in all the areas that matter, and I now fit into the driver’s seat quite well, without having to recline the seat so my skull doesn’t rub on the roof liner.
Both versions of ES show off a nicely designed dash and gauge display, with an easy-to-use, pared-down central control on the console.
The steering and handling of the car(s) has changed for the better and become sportier for 2013, with a stiffening of the suspension and tweaking of the steering ratio that removes the numb, disconnected feeling of the outgoing generation. The wheelbase has also been lengthened for an improvement to the ride.
Both my test models brought a very good level of responsiveness, and both are equipped with a drive-mode selector offering Normal, Sport, and Eco modes (and in the case of the ES300h, an EV mode that allows the vehicle to be driven solely under electric power for short distances at low speed).
The major choice for a prospective buyer will be the powertrain. The ES350’s gasoline-powered 3.5 litre V6 will attract the more performance-oriented tire kickers with 268 hp and 248 lb.-ft. of torque (unchanged from the previous generation); the new-for-2013 ES300h brings a net output off 200 hp/ 156 lb.ft with its hybrid combination of a 2.5 litre, four cylinder gas engine and electric motor with nickel metal hydride battery.
One’s preference is as much a question of emissions as fuel economy, but unfortunately the timing of my test-drives (middle of winter, with heavy snowfall) is making it a fuel economy torture test out there on the streets.
The ES350 is rated at 9.9L/100 km in city driving, the ES300h at an extremely low 4.7, but I didn’t get anywhere near those numbers, what with crunching through the snow pack and running the heater (and the seat-heat, and window defrosters) the whole time. The streets and lanes of my beautiful city are Siberian, with mounds of it everywhere.
In either configuration, the newest ES models offer the improved exterior style and driving dynamics in an entry-luxury midsize sedan; at comparable prices. At their base, the hybrid ES300h is the more expensive (this one, without options, was $43,900).
The ES350 test model I used was equipped with the company’s Premium Package option (which gives it a backup camera, larger info display screen, and a power-telescoping steering wheel among other things) came to $41,500 before freight and taxes.
Edited Fact file
2013 Lexus ES350
Trim level: Base with Premium Package
Price as tested (before taxes): $41,500
Options on test vehicle: Premium Package ($2,000) includes power-telescoping steering wheel, seven-inch display screen, backup camera and heated steering wheel.
Freight/PDI: $1,995
Configuration: front engine/ front-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 3.5L 6-cyl/ 6-spd automatic
Power/torque: 268 hp/ 248 lb.-ft.
Fuel (capacity): regular (70L)
Fuel economy ratings: 10.9 L/100km city; 7.1 L/100km hwy
Observed fuel economy: 12.4 L/100km over 246 km
Warranties: 4 years/80,000 km (basic); 6 years/ 110,000 km (powertrain)
Competitors: BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Lincoln MKZ
Strengths: interior refinement, improved curb appeal, quiet ride, improved steering and handling
Weaknesses: still a little tight inside
Report Card (out of 5):
Fuel Economy: 3.0 – fairly typical of what I get with many V6 sedans in winter
Value for $: 3 – a 40K entry into the Lexus midsize lineup
Styling: 3.5 – new grille and better lines vastly improve its appeal
Comfort: 3.5 – the more spacious interior is noticeable
Performance: 3.5 – Quick, and with responsive acceleration and good brakes and tighter, more-connected steering
Overall: 3.5 – well-executed improvements make Lexus’ already popular sedan more desirable than ever.
Edited Fact file
2013 Lexus ES300
Trim level: Base with Premium Package
Price as tested (before taxes): $43,900
Options on test vehicle: none
Freight/PDI: $1,995
Configuration: front engine/ front-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 2.5L 4-cyl/ CVT automatic
Power/torque: 200 hp/ 156 lb.-ft.
Fuel (capacity): regular (65L)
Fuel economy ratings: 4.7 L/100km city; 5.2 L/100km hwy
Observed fuel economy: 9.4 L/100km over 231 km
Warranties: 4 years/80,000 km (basic); 6 years/ 110,000 km (powertrain)
Competitors: BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Lincoln MKZ
Strengths: interior refinement, improved curb appeal, quiet ride, improved steering and handling, hybrid fuel economy
Weaknesses: still a little tight inside for taller drivers and rear seat passengers
Report Card (out of 5):
Fuel Economy: 3.5 – running mostly on gasoline power, because it’s the middle of winter. Should improve considerably in summer driving.
Value for $: 3 – a 40K entry into the Lexus midsize lineup
Styling: 3.5 – new grille and better lines vastly improve the curb appeal
Comfort: 3.5 – the more spacious interior is appreciated, good driver’s seat
Performance: 3.5 – Quick, and with responsive acceleration and good brakes and tighter, more-connected steering
Overall: 3.5 – well-executed improvements make Lexus’ already popular sedan more desirable than ever.
