2016 Lexus ES 300h Sedan

The restyling of the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid happened first For 2015, and now it is the stablemate Lexus ES 300h’s turn. The luxury sibling was restyled for the 2016 model year, with similar treatment.

The Lexus 300h was first shown at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show. It looks considerably different from its predecessor, but mechanics remain the same.

New on the ES 300h exterior is the front fascia, now with an enlarged, one-piece version of the infamous Lexus ‘spindle’ grille. One can’t mistake a Toyota for a Lexus with this now-familiar front end.

Also new on the outside are the upgraded LED headlights and taillights with L-shaped elements. A new design for the 17-inch alloy wheels is also visible. Four new colors are in the lineup for 2016: Nightfall Mica, Cavier, Eminent Pearl White and our test car, Autumn Shimmer which resembles a black cheery color.

Lexus hasn’t changed its hybrid powertrain which is still the 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system. The system utilizes a pair of electric motors that substitute for a transmission. This is unchanged since new on the 2013 model.

Fuel economy is a combined 40 mpg (41/39 mpg), similar to competitor Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The Ford Fusion also joins the Lexus ES 300h and MKZ Hybrid as mid-sized sedans with the Hybrid option.

One can separate the Lexus ES 300h from the regular ES model by the trunk spoiler, hidden exhaust pipe and badging.
The jury is still out for this writer on the ES’s new look; it resembles more the Avalon look than Camry, we think, and gives the illusion, somewhat of a much bigger sedan.

New technology on the 2016 ES 300h includes the new Lexus Safety System (a bundling of several electronic driver aides including the pre-collision system, lane departure alert, intelligent high-beam control and adaptive cruise control.

The Lexus Enform Service Connect is also new for 2016 and allows drivers to apply an app (iOS) or a website to set push notifications for vehicle maintenance.

On the inside, updates include a new steering wheel and shift knob, additional trim color options, and improvements in fabrics and surfaces.

The Lexus hybrid powertrain is very efficient, and the 300h ride comfortable and composed. Like with all Lexus products, one is motored around in luxury and silence.

As with other new vehicle manufacturers, electronics can be complicated and annoying to use. In the last press car we drove, we found it too easy to become distracted while trying to get from one radio station to another. While we have become somewhat accustomed to the Lexus control knob, it can be laborious. We tried in vain to work the Nav system but was unable to do so, wondering if in fact, if there was one. There has to be. We will give it another try, but if it’s this hard….

Of course, there are numerous hybrid sedans to choose from today; not like in the past. One may be able to deck out the Toyota Avalon Hybrid, save a little money and have a tad better fuel economy. Or the aforementioned Lincoln MKZ.

Beautiful Autumn Shimmer

The 2016 ES 300h is a very roomy sedan, easily accommodating 5 riders. It’s premium all the way. And once you get used to all the updates in technology; namely, the pedestrian-detection feature-you’re hooked. Design the car as you wish, with a mix/match of features. Combine them as you like.

The Lexus 300h’s Nav package now features a bigger 8-inch display screen, the mouselike Remote Touch electronics interface, voice controls, traffic reporting, enhanced Bluetooth connectivity and the Enform suite of smartphone-connected apps and concierge services.

We especially enjoyed the 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system with DVD-audio capability. The Safety System+ package includes adaptive cruise control, a frontal collision warning system (the Lexus pre-collision system), a lane departure warning system with steering assist and automatic high-beam headlight control

The 2016 Lexus ES 300h isn’t as quick as it’s stablemate the ES 350, but then one wouldn’t expect that from a Hybrid. Acceleration, though, is acceptable and more than adequate for most driving. It’s quiet and pleasant, and never interferes with driving pleasure.