Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
A hybrid saloon with 218 hp, rated five stars by Euro NCAP in 2018, with a 454-litre boot. Owners quoted by Caradisiac report trouble-free mechanicals, but safety recalls (brake booster pump, 2.5-litre engine block) have been documented outside Europe: have Lexus confirm that none is open for the car in question.
- Reliability
- not rated
- Indicative prices
- €35,200 – €38,800
- Monthly cost
- €626
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: ES 300h Luxe, ES 300h Executive.
ES 300h Luxe
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 218 hp · 5.3 L/100 km · 121 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
2.5-litre petrol hybrid producing 178 hp combined with a 120 hp electric motor, 218 hp combined. Mid-range trim at the French launch.
ES 300h F Sport
Hybrid · Automatic · 218 hp · Crit'Air 1
Same 218 hp hybrid powertrain, with a sporty trim.
ES 300h Executive
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 218 hp · Crit'Air 1
Same 218 hp hybrid powertrain, with a top-of-the-range trim.
Market prices
€35,200 – €38,800
Indicative range: 2023 to 2026, yearly medians of 30 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Faulty brake booster pump (recall)
Manufacturer recallSome brake booster pumps fitted to the 2019 ES 300h were badly manufactured, which could cause the brake assistance to stop while driving (warning lights and alerts, longer braking distances). The recall documented in the sources concerns Australia (103 vehicles after an extension) and the United States; the unit is replaced free of charge if necessary. None of the sources consulted confirms a European recall: ask for a check using the serial number.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- ES 300h Luxe, ES 300h F Sport, ES 300h Executive
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Coolant leak from porosity in the 2.5-litre engine block (recall)
Manufacturer recallPorosity in the castings of the 2.5-litre engine can cause cracks and an internal or external coolant leak. US recall 20V064 concerns the 2020 ES 300h (built from September to December 2019), with fewer than 0.5% of vehicles actually affected according to the NHTSA; the engine is inspected and replaced if necessary. No European recall has been found.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- ES 300h Luxe, ES 300h F Sport, ES 300h Executive
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Lexus ES”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €130 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €118 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €352 |
| Total per month | €626 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€130
ES 300h Luxe version: combined consumption of 5.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €130
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€118
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€352
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Lexus ES VII — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have a Lexus dealership check, using the serial number, that the recalls (brake assistance, 2.5-litre engine) have been completed or do not apply.
- Test the brakes on the drive: no warning light or audible brake-assistance alert should appear.
- Check for coolant leaks and the level under the bonnet.
- Run an electronic diagnostic: owners mention electronic alerts that are sometimes hard to diagnose.
- Ask for the service book and Lexus invoices.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have all the recalls been checked at Lexus using the serial number? Do you have a certificate?
- Has the vehicle had electronic alerts or visits to the workshop under warranty?
- Has the servicing been done at a Lexus dealership, with invoices to back it up?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Guillaume Vachey, CC0
Toyota Camry
VIII · 2019–2024
- Price
- €26,500 – €32,730
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Passat
B8 · 2014–2023
- Price
- €10,000 – €24,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Superb
III · 2015–2024
- Price
- €13,700 – €36,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 508
II · since 2018
- Price
- €14,990 – €31,990
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
BMW Série 3
VII (G20/G21) · since 2019
- Price
- €17,000 – €40,000
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Lexus ES VII (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lexus ES 300h reliable?
Owners quoted by Caradisiac report very reliable mechanicals (one review mentions 230,000 km without problems), and Driving Electric considers that its hybrid system, derived from the one used in millions of Toyota Group vehicles, raises no particular concern. Safety recalls do exist outside Europe, however: check the serial number.
What is the Euro NCAP rating for the Lexus ES?
Five stars in 2018, with 91% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 90% for vulnerable road users and 77% for safety assist (tested model: ES 300h).
What is the boot capacity of the ES 300h?
454 litres according to the Encycarpedia specification sheet, the hybrid battery being placed under the rear seat.
Found a listing?
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