Used 2013 Lexus ES 300h Consumer Reviews
Used ES 300h for sale
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All I expected but . . .
selkirk2, 08/06/2013
updated 02/20/2024
2013 Lexus ES 300h 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
Owned my ES300h for 11 year and have enjoyed almost everything about the car. It is perfect, for me, except that I am getting too old for getting into what is a low car so it will have to go in the next year. Batteries have lost some power but still original. Terrible GPS, poor auto lights Probably biggest irritation is the GPS - only one voice available and that not to my liking; and it seldom understands my (English) accent! The auto lights-on takes too long to be used safely - I am told that is the way it is with Toyota - Bad - not safe IMHO. Find the radio a challenge and the CD player (still have them) not great. Otherwise, nice car. Happy camper I am. Would I buy Hybrid again? Probably not because I do not do enough mileage. Doubt I would purchase another Lexus; would certainly look at the alternatives Would I buy electric. NO, understand battery replacement will be expensive
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After 4 years, finally found the car we wanted...
mdsofky, 11/27/2012
2013 Lexus ES 300h 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
47 of 83 people found this review helpful
My wife and I had been looking for four years to replace our 12 year old Honda Accord EX (which we loved and still runs well). We started casually looking on our anniversary weekend four years ago, but wanted lots of tech, and options that wouldn't be outdated soon. Wanted Bluetooth (phone and audio), blind-side detection, apps (Pandora, etc.), hybrid technology for good gas mileage (that didn't "feel" or look like traditional hybrid), nice quality, etc. We had looked at a Ford Fusion, Honda Accord (although I know there is not a hybrid yet), Buick Regal, Buick Verano (like our Buick Enclave a lot so were considering other Buicks). Ended up test driving ES300h and knew this was the one.
Amazed at how quickly I’ve forgotten about my BWM.
Doobster6, 12/25/2019
updated 01/03/2023
2013 Lexus ES 300h 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 10 people found this review helpful
Maybe it’s because Lexus redesigned the 2013 ES to handle better, and they pretty much nailed it. I had convinced myself that only my pristine 2006 BMW 5-Series had the ideal combination of competent handling and ride quality and up through 2010 that probably was true. But other cars have caught up, this Lexus among them. Even pushed well past the limits at which I normally drive a car the 2013 ES has proven the equal of the legendary Bimmer. Only it also rides much better too, and is quieter too. I am enjoying every minute behind the wheel of this car, and it is the only car from among many others I tried, including Infiniti and Mercedes that could have pried me out of the Bimmer. I never thought any Japanese car could ever do that. Bimmer;...what Bimmer? And since my driving style has long since moved past the excesses of my youth the ES hybrid provides all the power I need, yet provides the potential to get over 40 mpg in non-highway driving, something no gas-fired BMW could ever do. The interior is absolutely gorgeous and a feast for the eyes, and even the exterior styling is contemporary; better than on their newer versions, IMHO. The heated and cooled seats are supportive and comfortable, and even the ‘base’ radio blows most others away. And of course, the biggest bonus, and a prime determinant in me switching brands, is getting legendary reliability and low operating costs that Toyota is known for, something that BMW will NEVER be able to claim. I was lucky enough to find a seven year old Lexus certified used car with only 19k miles that almost can’t be told from new, so I’m finally feeling really good about my ride, not having to worry about what the next expensive thing will be to fail on my used BMW. Some have complained about the mouse-pad-like controller for the NAV/Audio system and initially I thought they had a point. But now I’m over it; it’s a simple learning curve folks, and not that hard to learn. It’s just different, but not worse than anything else. I like that I don’t have to reach up to touch a screen or buttons that my eyes will have to search for, and then still have to also look at the screen. This is a car that handles and rides great and can be driven like a ‘normal’ car but get 50% better mpg. According to the car’s calculations I’ve already gotten over 42 mpg in mixed driving, although I don’t know yet how accurate that is. And no, it won’t equal the fossil fuel frugality of a pure electric, but it also never needs to be charged for hours either; just gas it up like you would any other car, only get up to 40 mpg. Its only blemish might be that it has less trunk space than its gas-engine twin because of the hybrid battery pack, but Other than that, it might be the ideal mid-sized luxury car. It’s that whole cake-and-eating-it-too thing, and this car let’s you do both. I’ll update this later with accurate mpg figures and more real-world driving experience. Update on 6/25/2020. Non-highway mpg is around 34, almost twice what the Bimmer got. It would improve if I drove in ‘ECO’ mode but I like the response better in ‘normal’. The response in ‘Sport’ is significantly better still, but also achieves significantly less mpg (like 26). Other than that I remain completely satisfied with this car and am still excited about owning it and driving it. I might not have felt this way with an earlier (than 2013) Lexus model but this one has converted this former BMW driver. I will note that one must be careful leaving intersections when it’s raining; the immediate torque from the electric motor assist will spin the tires easily from a stop. That’s where AWD would make this the perfect car! UPDATE 12/29/2020 I replaced the Lexus in late August with a newer 2017 Infiniti QX50 compact SUV. We got rid of our third car which was a Mercury Mountaineer with AWD and after twenty years of enjoying the confidence of us each having an AWD car during winter, I didn’t want to now find myself trying to make it through the ocassional snow covered road in a hybrid car with a torquey electric motor spinning its tires. The Infiniti’ mpg is mediocre at best but it is otherwise a stellar ‘all around’ great car which I will review separately. Had we kept a third AWD vehicle, or if the Lexus been AWD, I most certainly would have kept it for another ten to fifteen years!!! The Infiniti should be decent regarding operating costs; WAY better than any BMW, but I don’t think it will match a Toyota product. And just this model year Lexus has finally introduced an AWD ES350 sedan (but not yet the hybrid sedan). That might be enough to entice me to switch back in a couple more years when I can look for a certified used one! 12/29/2021 While I love the performance, utility and handling of my Infiniti, my planet-conscience is bothering me and I wish I had kept the Lexus hybrid!! The Infiniti non-highway mpg is about exactly half of what the Lexus got!! That said, the utility is way better than the Lexus which didn’t even have fold-down rear seats. And of course, there is no contest regarding performance; the Infiniti can probably tow the Lexus down the road faster than it could go on its own power. Given the eco-unfriendly near-term costs of manufacturing the LiO2 batteries (and really, an entire new car) it probably doesn’t help the planet for me to switch back. Still, the Lexus was a GREAT car, and I miss seeing 52 mpg on its computer, which I saw frequently on the highway. Update 7-29-22 Still have the Infiniti, still love its utility and performance, still getting the same (only mediocre) mpg, and still regret having sold the Lexus…..especially where gasoline prices have gone!! Am looking for a hybrid SUV, but supplies are limited and prices are high. Since I’m retired and drive less, I’ll probably stay in the Infiniti, especially since my car is a rare ‘fully loaded’ model with lots of high-tech features. 12/31/2022 Still in the Infiniti, and with gas prices having returned to normal am less motivated to replace it with any sort of hybrid. It’s still the best all-around vehicle I’ve ever owned, able to scratch my occasional ‘enthusiast-motoring’ itch with sharp handling and hair-raising acceleration while also comporting itself comfortably and with luxury-brand dignity under all other conditions. Having said that, Dodge will be interesting a high-performing ‘Hornet’ hybrid this coming year in a hatchback format with foldable seats and AWD that has caught my attention. It will lack the luxury trimmings of the Infiniti and maybe also some safety features (unless I buy the highest trim level), so it might not be the totally compelling package I seek……we’ll see! But clearly, manufacturers are addressing buyers like me as more electric and hybrid models are being developed, so it is inevitable that my current Infiniti’s days are numbered, and I have the Lexus ES300h to thank for starting me along this pathway!
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Wife loves it, but I think it's over rated....
chad_shephard, 02/04/2013
2013 Lexus ES 300h 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
15 of 30 people found this review helpful
first, want to thank all the reviews. My wife has waited for the updated ES350h for a while now. Overall, a good car, but I don't think the value is there. Hopefully with the yen dropping so much lately, the future buyer will reap the benefit. We wanted base model but went with premium pkg. Very difficult to get with with base model. On quick note: We have 2 major dealers in Atlanta area. The dealers were very cocky. Not very customer focus.
Great reliable commute car
David, 03/10/2016
2013 Lexus ES 300h 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have enjoyed this vehicle on my 2 hours daily commutes.
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