Buy a sedan without giving in to the sirens of Diesel? This is what Lexus promises, which could be particularly suitable for professionals big wheels. We took the wheel of the new ES 300h, which replaced the GS. With an offer more adapted to the market, the Japanese manufacturer hopes to increase its sales. Malaga direction in Spain, to discover it.
Typical Lexus design
The sedan ES 300h scrupulously respects the house design. We already realized it in photos. But in the reality of the street, we catch some subtleties. First, it does look like a small LS, in smaller proportions. We still approach the 5 meters ...
We appreciate or not his chiseled lines and elegance. Nevertheless, the design of the trunk lid does not stand out in the best way. We let you make your own idea ... we did not like it. It transpires in any case modernity, whether it is followed or observed in the rearview mirror with its avant-garde light signature.
Extraordinary comfort
On board, there too we do not find ourselves out of place. We logically note a happy rise in range. In terms of presentation and finish, there is a tone below the LS or the sumptuous LC500 coupe, but we navigate in the best waters. We particularly praise the extraordinary comfort of the front seats. We imagine very well relaxing there with pleasure, even when we do not roll.
At the back, we do not really feel worse. We have everything we need to guarantee a good life on board. It is full of equipment, but again, we still have difficulties to understand the operation of equipment, to use the screen and all its functions. Life is clearly easier for all these competitors on this point.
Well Seen
Evil Seen
The detail that kills
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Driving casting favor
On our first rather urban kilometers in the heart of Malaga, we appreciate in the first place the silence of operation. This makes driving serene, even in heavy traffic, one feels much less nervous. In these conditions, the 218 hp of our hybrid propulsion do not give the best of themselves. In this case, the electric unit smooths all starts, especially energy-intensive phases, before the start of the thermal once the car is well launched.
When one finds oneself on the charming roads of the surroundings of the coastal town, one solicits the mechanics, of which one does not detect moreover hardly the passages of one phase to another. We do not care in any way, everything is very well alone. We just select on one of the two comodos the mode of driving, more or less dynamic. What we regret, it will be as often ... the runaway of the engine when we ask the power, because of the box. Consumption reached 7 liters in the worst case scenario. Rather remarkable.
Less dynamic than the competition
Behavior issue, clearly one remains at a distance from the compromise of most of its European premium playmates. And yet we had an F-Sport model. The good point is that this more dynamic version does not really sacrifice excellent comfort. It does not slip in wide radius turns. However, the score is different when the small curves are linked.
The fault of a management that lacks rigor, and a maximized chassis to ensure first and foremost the well-being on board. We must forget the notion of driving pleasure if we want to lead drums. This Lexus ES 300h is thus mainly appreciated for a senator train, which will please most occupants. The road is thus appreciated rather peacefully, in town as outside, which it does in a comfort superior to the others.
With a well-controlled consumption, the absence of penalty and an overall tax advantage, the new Lexus ES 300h is indeed an alternative to a diesel sedan. Although at this price there are still some expensive options. A good pick, if we accept the idea of taking less driving pleasure.
| + | WE LOVE |
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| – | WE LOVE LESS |
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| Moteur | |
| Type and location | 4 cylinders in atmospheric line ess. + permanent magnet |
| Cylinder capacity (cm3) | 2 487 |
| Power (kW / hp) | 180/218 (th: 131/178 élec: 88/120) |
| Couple (Nm) | th: 221 élec: 202 |
| Transmission | |
| Driving wheels | BC. |
| Gearbox | continuously variable electronics |
| Châssis | |
| Front suspension | Jambes McPherson |
| Rear suspension | Triangulated arms drawn |
| brakes | discs |
| Rims and tires | 235/40 R19 |
| Performances | |
| Maximum speed (km / h) | 180 |
| 0 to 100 km / h (s) | 8,9 |
| Consommation | |
| Urban cycle (l / 100 km) NEDC | – |
| Extra-urban cycle (l / 100 km) NEDC | 4,4 |
| Mixed cycle (l / 100 km) NEDC | – |
| CO2 (g/km) NEDC | 100 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (mm) | 4 975 |
| Width (mm) | 1 875 |
| Height (mm) | 1 445 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2 870 |
| Volume of chest (l) | 454 |
| Tank (l) | 50 |
| Unloaded mass (kg) | 1 680 |
