Lexus ES 300h
The Lexus ES 300h is a midsize four-door sedan with a hybrid drivetrain. It was produced in two generations from 2013 to 2025, when it was succeeded by the Lexus ES 350h. The ES 300h uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric hybrid system and a continuously variable transmission.
As a Lexus, the ES 300h offers a luxurious interior with available sporty cues. However, it is decidedly not a sports car, so the Luxury trim level is the most popular, with 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the later years of production.
Explore the evolution of the Lexus ES 300h
Get our expert take on used Lexus ES 300h models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Lexus ES 300h
Lexus has a long history with hybrid cars, a legacy of parent company Toyota's leadership in that area. The ES 300h is a midsize four-door sedan with a four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric hybrid drive system and a continuously variable automatic transmission driving the front wheels. With that efficient setup, the ES 300h can return up to an EPA-estimated 44 mpg.
While it's not a fast sport-luxury sedan, the ES 300h is a very comfortable ride.Because it's a Lexus, you can expect the ES 300h to be quiet, comfortable, and have the latest in infotainment and driver-assistance technology for whichever model year you select. The state of the art in infotainment has moved quickly over the past dozen years, so pay particular attention to model year changes on the ES 300h.
Model highlights
Seating for five passengers
Midsize four-door sedan
2.5-liter engine paired with hybrid technology
Luxurious cabin materials and driving dynamics
Available sport trim
First generation Lexus ES 300h
Lexus launched its hybrid midsize sedan in 2013 to provide a fuel-efficient version of its sixth-generation ES sedan. The ES 300h is not known for quick performance but rather for an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride with a luxurious cabin. Power comes from a basic 2.5-liter gasoline engine paired with Lexus' hybrid drive system, a continuously variable automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive.
Inside, this generation of the Lexus ES 300h kept pace with fast-moving changes to infotainment systems during its production run. Headlights and audio systems also changed throughout the first-generation cycle. Trim levels for the ES 300h are limited because the hybrid is essentially a trim level of its own, but option packages were available and can upgrade the car substantially.
Model highlights
Four-door midsize sedan
Four-cylinder engine with hybrid drive
Continuously variable automatic transmission
Seating for five adults
Premium materials and technology
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2019 - 2025
2025 Lexus ES 300h
2024 Lexus ES 300h
2023 Lexus ES 300h
Highlights
Additional F Sport trims
Updated infotainment
Support for wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®
Redesigned center console
Learn more
2022 Lexus ES 300h
Highlights
F Sport trim added
Updated infotainment system
Retuned suspension and braking systems
Learn more
2021 Lexus ES 300h
2020 Lexus ES 300h
2019 Lexus ES 300h
Highlights
First year for the redesigned Lexus ES 300h
Larger than the previous generation
Improved fuel efficiency
Improved cabin and cargo capacity
Learn more
Previous generation from 2013 - 2018
2018 Lexus ES 300h
Highlights
Final year for the first-generation Lexus ES 300h
No significant changes
Learn more
2017 Lexus ES 300h
2016 Lexus ES 300h
Highlights
Improved sound deadening for a quieter cabin
Bi-LED headlights available
Learn more
2015 Lexus ES 300h
Highlights
New standard touchscreen infotainment
Available Mark Levinson audio
Upgraded upholstery
Learn more
Looking for 2013 models or older?
CarMax only sells 2014 models and newer. But no matter the year, we'll happily buy your car.
Reliability
RepairPal gave the Lexus ES 300h an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Lexus ES 300h 2nd out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Lexus ES 300h is $339, compared to an average of $617 for Luxury Midsize Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Lexus ES 300h owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.5 times per year, compared to an average of 1.4 times for Luxury Midsize Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 6% for the Lexus ES 300h, compared to an average of 13% for Luxury Midsize Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Jeff Zurschmeide has been an automotive journalist for more than 20 years, covering the new car business as well as motorsports and industry news. He lives in Tillamook, Oregon, at the confluence of great roads, nice weather, and plenty of space for a collection of strange old automobiles.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to provide legal, financial or investment advice. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before transacting and consider talking to a qualified professional about your unique circumstances.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Editorial content contained on this page comes from Edmunds.com, Inc., a subsidiary of CarMax Enterprise Service, LLC, and information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.