Hybrid 300h vs V6 ES350? (Merged threads)
04-12-21, 03:25 PM
#16
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I hated the transmission of the ES 350 so much that I traded it in 3 weeks later for a ES 300h, taking a ~$7k hit in the process, and so far I do not regret it.
As has been mentioned already, the best thing to do is to test drive them both and decide for yourself. Just don't make the mistake I did and assume any jerkiness you may encounter with the transmission in the ES 350 will mellow out as the computers "learn".
If you don't care about exciting sporty style driving, and you don't plan on keeping the car more than 8 years or 100,000 miles, I would say the hybrid is easily the best choice. I only mention 8 yrs/100k miles because that's when the hybrid system goes out of warranty. The hybrid battery is covered for another 2 years or 150,000 miles. Not saying you should definitely avoid the ES 300h if you plan on keeping it past the hybrid system warranty, but it's just something to pause and consider due to the high cost of repairs or replacement if something goes wrong with the hybrid components.
As has been mentioned already, the best thing to do is to test drive them both and decide for yourself. Just don't make the mistake I did and assume any jerkiness you may encounter with the transmission in the ES 350 will mellow out as the computers "learn".
If you don't care about exciting sporty style driving, and you don't plan on keeping the car more than 8 years or 100,000 miles, I would say the hybrid is easily the best choice. I only mention 8 yrs/100k miles because that's when the hybrid system goes out of warranty. The hybrid battery is covered for another 2 years or 150,000 miles. Not saying you should definitely avoid the ES 300h if you plan on keeping it past the hybrid system warranty, but it's just something to pause and consider due to the high cost of repairs or replacement if something goes wrong with the hybrid components.
I called today my local Lexus dealership and they have only several 300h on the way and none will have interior color that I want, Flaxen leather with Linear Espresso wood trim. I am willing to buy used one with this color as build to order takes 4 months. Furthermore, I am very interested in new self driving capabilities but that would take some time to trickle down to 300h and therefore I may settle for used for now. ML audio is my only other must have.
Lexus salesman said they don't have 300h loaners but will let me test drive one.
Last edited by radiologym; 04-13-21 at 04:30 AM.
04-14-21, 11:52 AM
#17
Driver School Candidate
I believe the Li-ion battery started with the 2021 models but I may be mistaken on that. My 2019 has the Nickel Metal Hydride battery that has been used in hybrids for many years. Nickel Cadmium would never make a good battery for a hybrid as it develops a memory after repeated recharging. The main difference between Li-ion and Nickel Metal Hydride that I am aware of is energy storage density. The Lithium battery has greater storage density but I believe they are similar in most other respects. The Li-ion battery is used in almost all electronics applications today and growing in popularity in automotive applications, but it is more expensive and has more challenges with heat dissipation (you have probably heard of Samsung phones and Teslas catching fire...). The problems with Li-ion are rare and can be managed by proper engineering, but there have been some mistakes as companies learn to properly handle these batteries.
I just took my 2020 UL 300h on it's first long road trip (~425 miles) and it rode like a dream. On average, I was doing about 70-75 mph (with cruise control) and got a little over 46 mpg, all with running the AC and having a full trunk and backseat. Pickup while getting on the highway or getting around trucks was more than sufficient and without the overwhelming ugly engine noise.
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04-14-21, 04:08 PM
#18
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I just took my 2020 UL 300h on it's first long road trip (~425 miles) and it rode like a dream. On average, I was doing about 70-75 mph (with cruise control) and got a little over 46 mpg, all with running the AC and having a full trunk and backseat. Pickup while getting on the highway or getting around trucks was more than sufficient and without the overwhelming ugly engine noise.
Last edited by radiologym; 04-14-21 at 04:21 PM.
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NicoBruno (04-14-21)
04-15-21, 02:31 PM
#20
I'll echo the comments above in that we've enjoyed my wife's 19 ES300h Luxury. It replaced a 13 ES300h. Her 300h was made in Japan although I believe most if not all are now made in KY.
In researching the 13 300h, I was concerned with longevity of hybrid, but when in NYC it seemed that the majority of cabs were Camry hybrids, which had the same engines as the ESh. Plus I believe the battery warranty is 8yr/100k mi.
In researching the 13 300h, I was concerned with longevity of hybrid, but when in NYC it seemed that the majority of cabs were Camry hybrids, which had the same engines as the ESh. Plus I believe the battery warranty is 8yr/100k mi.
04-15-21, 03:01 PM
#21
Lead Lap
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radiologym (04-15-21)
04-15-21, 06:38 PM
#22
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I drove my wife’s 2017 RX350 today. It’s a great car but they are not that close for me. My old ES feels like I’m flying in it. In RX I’m very much feeling the road imperfections, engine and outside noise and body roll... So 300h is for me 
Last edited by radiologym; 04-16-21 at 05:46 PM.
04-16-21, 06:23 AM
#23
Driver School Candidate
04-16-21, 06:38 AM
#24
Lead Lap
04-17-21, 02:59 AM
#25
Driver School Candidate
Wow, it sounds like Toyota may not warranty battery degradation on hybrids unless it falls by ridiculous percentages within 10 years?
I remember reading posts where Toyota owners replaced their hybrid battery packs only to find that the new battery packs had less power.
I remember reading posts where Toyota owners replaced their hybrid battery packs only to find that the new battery packs had less power.
06-11-21, 04:24 PM
#26
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300H UL vs 350 UL
Really looking at either one. What are y'alls decision for going with what you chose?
Alexonautos I believe said the 350 would be quieter due to the v6 vs noisy I4 on the highway. Is that true? I already have a sportier car so I don't need the F-Sport. The 40+ mpg on the hybrid would make for a nice highway cruiser.
What features are exclusive to either model? I think the biggest thing I'd miss on the 300H would be the pano sunroof.
Alexonautos I believe said the 350 would be quieter due to the v6 vs noisy I4 on the highway. Is that true? I already have a sportier car so I don't need the F-Sport. The 40+ mpg on the hybrid would make for a nice highway cruiser.
What features are exclusive to either model? I think the biggest thing I'd miss on the 300H would be the pano sunroof.
06-11-21, 04:41 PM
#27
300h UL vs 350 UL
Really looking at either one. What are y'alls decision for going with what you chose?
Alexonautos I believe said the 350 would be quieter due to the v6 vs noisy I4 on the highway. Is that true? I already have a sportier car so I don't need the F-Sport. The 40+ mpg on the hybrid would make for a nice highway cruiser.
What features are exclusive to either model? I think the biggest thing I'd miss on the 300H would be the pano sunroof.
Alexonautos I believe said the 350 would be quieter due to the v6 vs noisy I4 on the highway. Is that true? I already have a sportier car so I don't need the F-Sport. The 40+ mpg on the hybrid would make for a nice highway cruiser.
What features are exclusive to either model? I think the biggest thing I'd miss on the 300H would be the pano sunroof.
I have a 300h UL - 2020. I drove both the 350 and 300h before my I purchased. Under hard acceleration the 300h may be slightly noisier but at cruising speed or slow driving it’s quieter. Of course the mpg can’t be beat with any equivalent car. It is a great highway cruiser.
Your correct about the pano roof, doesn’t come on the 300h. I wanted a pano roof but couldn’t get one. I did get everything else though.
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radiologym (06-19-21)
06-12-21, 09:21 AM
#29
Pole Position
I have a 300h UL - 2020. I drove both the 350 and 300h before my I purchased. Under hard acceleration the 300h may be slightly noisier but at cruising speed or slow driving it’s quieter. Of course the mpg can’t be beat with any equivalent car. It is a great highway cruiser.
Your correct about the pano roof, doesn’t come on the 300h. I wanted a pano roof but couldn’t get one. I did get everything else though.
Your correct about the pano roof, doesn’t come on the 300h. I wanted a pano roof but couldn’t get one. I did get everything else though.
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radiologym (06-19-21)