Is the Lexus ES300H a luxury car?

The ES 300h is the hybrid variant of Lexus’s midsize ES sedan and is widely regarded as a luxury car. It blends premium materials, a quiet ride, and refined efficiency to sit in the luxury segment.

Market position and what defines it as luxury

In the luxury-car landscape, the ES sits in the luxury midsize class. It competes with familiar rivals like the Acura TLX, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Genesis G80, and others, but it emphasizes ride comfort, refinement, and value over outright sportiness.

What follows highlights the key attributes that contribute to its luxury character and how they compare with rivals.

• Premium interior materials and craftsmanship that feel upscale


• Quiet, comfortable ride with a smooth suspension tuned for long-distance comfort


• Refined hybrid powertrain that balances performance and efficiency


• Strong standard safety tech and driver-assistance features


• Lexus brand reputation for reliability and solid resale value

Taken together, these attributes help the ES 300h deliver a luxury experience centered on comfort, refinement, and efficiency, rather than aggressive performance or sporty handling.

Design, comfort, and interior quality

The ES 300h’s cabin emphasizes quiet luxury. Soft-touch materials, well-padded seating, and tasteful trim are common across trims. Lexus prioritizes practicality, with generous front-seat comfort and ample rear legroom for a midsize sedan, along with trunk space that accommodates daily needs.

• High-quality materials and a quiet, refined cabin


• Supportive front seats with good adjustability for long drives


• Spacious rear seating and usable trunk capacity for the segment


• User-friendly controls and infotainment interface, with smartphone integration on newer models

These design choices reinforce the ES 300h’s luxury positioning, appealing to buyers who value comfort and a premium feel in daily driving.

Hybrid powertrain, performance, and efficiency

Hybrid dynamics

The ES 300h uses a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors to deliver a combined system output around 215 horsepower. The powertrain is typically paired with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel-drive availability varying by year and market. The result is a smooth, quiet acceleration that prioritizes efficiency over outright speed.

Fuel economy and practicality

Because it's a hybrid, the ES 300h delivers strong efficiency in city and mixed driving, with EPA estimates generally in the low-to-mid 40s mpg range depending on configuration and year. Real-world fuel economy can vary with driving style and conditions.

For many buyers, the real advantage is reduced fuel costs and smoother operation in daily commuting, rather than high-performance driving dynamics.

Technology and safety

Equipped with Lexus Safety System+, the ES 300h offers a suite of active safety features and driver aids that are common in modern luxury sedans. Depending on the trim and year, expect:

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection


• Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist


• Road-sign assist and automatic high beams in newer versions


• Forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring

Infotainment is typically straightforward, with touchscreen or touchpad controls depending on the year, plus smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) on newer models. Lexus emphasizes a straightforward, user-friendly control layout and comfortable, ergonomic interfaces.

Pricing, ownership, and value

The ES 300h sits in the entry-luxury tier with pricing that reflects its position: more affordable than many European rivals while offering a premium experience with strong reliability. Ongoing ownership costs tend to be predictable thanks to Lexus’s reputation for durability and relatively modest maintenance costs for a luxury sedan. Exact prices depend on the year, trim level, and options, and regional incentives can affect this figure.

• Typically competitive pricing within the luxury-sedan segment


• Strong reliability and resale value compared with non-luxury hybrids


• Lower maintenance costs relative to some premium rivals, depending on market

For shoppers prioritizing comfort, efficiency, and long-term value, the ES 300h offers a compelling proposition within its class.

Bottom line / Summary

In sum, the Lexus ES 300h is widely regarded as a luxury car. It blends Lexus-level interior quality, a serene ride, and efficient hybrid performance in a midsize sedan that prioritizes comfort, reliability, and value over sporty dynamics. It sits squarely in the luxury segment, with the brand’s reputation and generous standard features reinforcing its status as a luxury choice in many markets.

What is the difference between ES 300h luxury and ultra luxury?

The Lexus ES 300h Luxury trim features a quilted semi-aniline leather interior with wood trim and ambient lighting, while the Ultra Luxury trim adds premium features like a head-up display, a power trunk with a kick sensor, manual rear door sunshades, and a surround-view camera system. Both trims share the same engine and hybrid system, but the Ultra Luxury provides more advanced comfort and convenience technology.
 
You can watch this video to see a walkaround of the 2025 Lexus ES300h Ultra Luxury model: 58sKenny VacekYouTube · Apr 27, 2025
Lexus ES 300h Luxury

• Interior: Quilted semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior, wood trim, and ambient lighting.
• Seating: 14-way power-adjustable driver's seat.
• Safety: Standard safety features include the Lexus Safety System+. 

Lexus ES 300h Ultra Luxury 

• Adds to Luxury trim:
  • Display: Head-up display that projects information onto the windshield.
  • Convenience: Power trunk with a kick sensor for hands-free opening.
  • Comfort: Manual rear door sunshades.
  • Technology: Surround-view camera system that provides a top-down view when parking.
  • Wheels: Exclusive 18-inch noise-reduction wheels. 

This video compares the 2025 Lexus ES350 and ES300H models, including their interior and exterior features: 1mPerformance LexusYouTube · Jul 19, 2025
Shared features

• Powertrain: Both trims use the same 2.5L inline-4 engine with Lexus Hybrid Drive, producing 215 horsepower. 
• Infotainment: Both are equipped with the Lexus Interface and a touchscreen display. 
• Safety: Both trims include the Lexus Safety System+ package, but the Ultra Luxury adds the Surround-View camera system. 

Is the ES 300h considered a luxury car?

These two ES 300h versions differ mainly in terms of their interior quality, tech, and luxury touches, rather than how they drive: Pricing and value proposition: The Luxury trim starts at $50,005, while going Ultra Luxury bumps the price up to $53,725.

How much is the Lexus ES 300h luxury?

2024 Lexus ES 300h Luxury: $49,760 MSRP* 2024 Lexus ES 300h Ultra Luxury: $53,480 MSRP* 2024 Lexus ES 300h F Sport Design: $48,975 MSRP* 2024 Lexus ES 300h F Sport Handling: $50,885 MSRP*

Is Lexus ES basically a Camry?

No, the Lexus ES is not a Camry, but they share the same platform and some mechanical components because Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota. The ES is a more premium version, featuring a more luxurious interior, better materials, a quieter ride, and a more powerful standard engine.
 

• Platform and powertrain: The ES and Camry have historically shared the same platform, and many modern versions use a similar platform and powertrains. For example, the Lexus ES 350 and many Toyota Camry models use a similar 3.5L V6 engine. 
• Luxury and features: The ES is designed to be a luxury sedan, with a more premium and quiet interior, higher-quality materials, and a softer ride compared to the sportier or more mainstream focus of the Camry. 
• Positioning: The Camry is a mass-market sedan, while the ES is a luxury vehicle. This means the ES comes standard with more luxury features and has a higher price point to reflect its premium positioning.