Mat Watson from Carwow is one of the top car reviewers in the world, and this throughly entertaining look at the Lexus ES 300h is a perfect example of his craft:
Definitely noticed a lot of the new ESs, they definitely have been well received. Its the only Lexus sedan right now selling (sadly), I've seen more of them than even the new Avalon.
In this on-paper comparison, we match up the best-selling Lexus ES against competitors we’ve previously driven
Conclusions
After a week in the Lexus I understand why the ES continues to outsell these four competitors by between 40 and 212 percent (Q50 and LaCrosse), and why its rate of sales decrease year-over-year was less than half what the others suffered from 2017 to 2018. It looks good from all angles except the front, and it goes about its business without any attention-grabbing engine or tire noises, automatically turning on its heated steering wheel and seats, then automatically turning them down about 10 minutes into a journey. It's a faithful automotive valet—solicitous, never argumentative, seen but not heard. Toss in a strong record for reliability and resale value, and what non-car enthusiast could resist? So in a consumer-focused Big Test focusing on packaging, safety, reliability, refinement, and the like, I boldly predict that Lexus would grab the gold. Second place might be hotly contested by a heavily optioned 300-hp Q50 Luxe AWD and Acura TLX SH-AWD. I see a Lincoln MKZ 3.0 Reserve II AWD finishing a close third and Buick's LaCrosse Avenir AWD bringing up the rear. Stay tuned to check these predictions against a future test—unless the category shrinks to complete insignificance before we get around to it ...
@krew@Motor we all know that the ES crushed everyone in this test but instead of MT coming out and staying that they say.. paper comparison which is bull.. we all know that MT hates lexus so bad and instead of giving the company their due they insist on this nonsense.. They did the samething to 5LS didn't they @Ian Schmidt
Instead of coming out and sayng the ES is the desivie winner. they used this BS...... its pathetic of them. They always try to take lexus down with Bullshit....
Instead of coming out and sayng the ES is the desivie winner. they used this BS...... its pathetic of them. They always try to take lexus down with Bullshit....
Agreed, they give the ES a big victory and tuck it away.
The ES is maybe as large as those cars but that is it. It is outgunned, those cars are simply a higher level and GS competition. The ES straddling the fence is going to struggle there especially its first attempt.
Acura has tried it forever with the Accord based RLX/Legend and it is clearly a step down. You can't mask its origins in this class.
The ES is maybe as large as those cars but that is it. It is outgunned, those cars are simply a higher level and GS competition. The ES straddling the fence is going to struggle there especially its first attempt.
Acura has tried it forever with the Accord based RLX/Legend and it is clearly a step down. You can't mask its origins in this class.
Crossing my fingers for a next GS!
Can't really blame the UK media for putting those cars against each other though, given that the GS has been cancelled in the region. Really though, I doubt many people buying an ES would be concerned with this result one way or the other.
Can't really blame the UK media for putting those cars against each other though, given that the GS has been cancelled in the region. Really though, I doubt many people buying an ES would be concerned with this result one way or the other.
Yeah its a fair comparison since that is what Lexus offers now. I just feel that market is even more badge conscience than us in the States but the ES being a hybrid is a nice Ace to have.
Everyone.. ok give it AWD, more power and fix the infotainment. I don't understand what the problem is. I was just in a LS and I can use it fine.. Learn how to use a computer.. not everything is simple, but fact is they pick out too much BS. The ES right now in my opinion is the benchmark in this class. period...
Everyone again.. if i could direct everyone to the 5LS article that @krew just put out.. They said grand things about the LS and then said it can't run with the S-class.. That is some BS also. I would take a LS over the S-class or 7 series any day... not even close. The 5LS is better than both of them... its like all these articles that come out, they always have BS to rein Lexus back in. I'm tired of it. It's BS
I'm not too surprised. Hybrids are kind of TMC's thing - they've done them longer than anyone else, and they're the only ones doing halfway innovative stuff like the LC's 4AT with them.
@anyone.. How is this review any good? He was busting on the materials, the head space in the rear, the boot as he so calls it.. to me it was rebuke of the ES300H but it did it in a funny way... when it isn't funny... The interior in this car is better than any other car in it's class and also we all know why the trunk space is bad .. its because of the electric motors in the back.. head space is limited in the rear because the roof is racked and slooped like in the 5LS which prompted me not to get the pano roof because you lost a considerable amount of head room and i didn't think $1000 justified that. yeah he highlighted on a lot of good things but things that we all know people keeps hammering them.. like the infotainment... omg.. really??!!!!!!!!!!!! lexus isn't going to change it until they are damn good and ready so everyone who reviews their cars needs to really realize that..
@anyone.. How is this review any good? He was busting on the materials, the head space in the rear, the boot as he so calls it.. to me it was rebuke of the ES300H but it did it in a funny way... when it isn't funny... The interior in this car is better than any other car in it's class and also we all know why the trunk space is bad .. its because of the electric motors in the back.. head space is limited in the rear because the roof is racked and slooped like in the 5LS which prompted me not to get the pano roof because you lost a considerable amount of head room and i didn't think $1000 justified that. yeah he highlighted on a lot of good things but things that we all know people keeps hammering them.. like the infotainment... omg.. really??!!!!!!!!!!!! lexus isn't going to change it until they are damn good and ready so everyone who reviews their cars needs to really realize that..
It reads like you vented your frustrations and then answered all of your own questions... so... I guess all is clear?
Automotive media doesn't necessarily have to "realize" anything with regard to Lexus' infotainment aside from the fact that it is subpar. Just because Lexus builds it that way doesn't mean it's not annoying and overly complicated to use compared to MMI, IDrive, COMAND, etc.
@Gecko I know all the issues sir so it it easy for me to point this out. My whole point is why are the individuals who keeps reviewing the cars pointing this stuff out? it makes no sense to time after time to ding the infotainment. it makes no sense to ding time after time the rear head room.. thats the design of the car.. We know it and so do they.. I'm not venting at all. I'm just pointing out that so of this stuff is really starting to become unfair. As a lexus enthusiasts i believe it is our job to call this out. Gotta protect the name you know?
I still maintain that the vaunted German systems are just as bad, it's just people have been trained by the media to think they're acceptable. This is why everyone regardless of brand wants CarPlay/Android Auto, because those two kneecap the OEM infotainment and move it out of your way.
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