I recently test drove the ES 350 and ES 300h. I am in the market for one of these especially the 350 with the V6 engine with all the rumors on the next generation coming, in addition to other Lexus vehicles in the lineup that have phased out the V6 drivetrain.

I was fortunate to be able to drive both in the ultra luxury trim. I did like both of them but I am so used to feeling the transmission shifts and the smoothness of the natural aspirated V6 engine. Of course, this was the first time I drove a FWD so it doesn't handle like the IS 350 and it's pretty sensitive putting too much power down on those front tires. I didn't realize that eCVTs don't shift. It just goes and goes, gets louder and louder as you go from 0-60 on the highway. Now, when I say louder, I don't mean it's LOUD. It just sounds like the engine goes on forever with the noise until I lightened up on the gas pedal. That's where I was wondering when it was going to shift haha. It does get up to speed decently. I've grown to realize you just can't fly down the road unless you are the front of traffic at a light. My area is especially horrendous with slow drivers (It's not old people either!). My driving habits have matured.

The interior is well done. The updates from 2023+ fit the driver experience very well. The color was Palomino and was very fittingly luxurious. There is a good amount of room. I didn't have a lot of time to fiddle with the seats but they were good. The wireless charging is in a good spot to keep phone. Other storage spots are well placed. Features apple wireless CarPlay for a little bit of future proofing. I wanted to see the panoramic view monitor but couldn't get it set up. I looked up a video and saw how it works now. Definitely cool feature.

One of the things I noticed differently between the two besides the powertrain is the roof. The ES 350 ultra luxury comes with the panoramic roof and the ES 300h does not. Now, I'm old school. I don't care for the sunroof or panoramic roof because I don't utilize them for the fear of maintenance issues down the road as I plan to keep this car 10+ years. However, I am more concerned with the panoramic roof than the regular sunroof. You can't get one without it unless you can "special" or "custom" order it which isn't feasible in my area. The panoramic roof is nice and airy but it's not part of my experience for a car. I couldn't tell in my test drive if the panoramic roof caused more noise in the cabin or not. I don't think weight addition is going to be an issue since I won't whipping it around like a sports car.

If I decide to go with the ES 300h, I may wait and keep saving for a better down payment as hybrids will carry on regardless if next generation is here next year or not.

I want to go with the ES 350 ultra luxury for the wheel choice, options it includes with mark Levinson stereo and the option to have a little fun with power but I am hesitant with the panoramic roof durability long term. If anybody has comments on the more recent years of ES (2023+) with the panoramic roof, please share.

 

Definitely stay away from the pano roof. Not worth all the headache that comes along with a small perceived improvement in coolness or whatever it claims to bring.

 

I've heard all the comments about the panoramic roof. I frankly tried not to have it, but I couldn't get the ES 350 Ultra Luxury without it when I bought. But with that said, I've never had a moment's trouble with it yet, and I must admit I even enjoy it a little bit. I certainly wouldn't have denied myself the pleasure of this model just to avoid it.

 

Well, I wanted a loaded ES350 and soon discovered that they all have the so-called optional panoramic glass roof. Every Camry and Avalon I owned has had a sunroof and one also had a panoramic roof. I think of it as a waste of money but buy the car anyway. I always operate the sunroof once when I get the new car and then forget it is there and always keep the shade closed. Never had the glass break or leak, so it is easy to ignore. I like my ES350. When I stand next to it, the entire roof just looks shiny black. I ignore the several unwanted features and love the good stuff.

If you want a huge potential for trouble, get a Toyota product with the glass roof that electronically changes from clear to frosted. They do not often break, but they define headache if they do.

 

FWIT, I’ve had my 2024 ES350 UL for about a year now. And, yes, it came with a pano roof. Admittedly, I don’t use it often but that said , I haven’t had any problems with it at all. And, a very good friend has a 2019 ES 300h luxury with a pano roof. He also reports no problems whatsoever.
At the risk of adding to your V-6 vs Hybrid decision, I’d suggest you test the two drivetrains back to back with a focus on NVH. Frankly, I went into the process with a bias toward the hybrid. My assumption was that the hybrid would sacrifice some off-the-line quickness as well as passing power compared to the V-6, but ride quality and NVH would be the same.
I was pleasantly pleased that the power of the hybrid was adequate for my driving style (I lean toward normal / relaxed driving). That said, the V-6 is definitely more powerful and noticeably quicker. Lots of effortless power.
What did surprise me - and I acknowledge this is subjective, was the difference in NVH in the hybrid. I felt the ride was slightly firmer in the hybrid when driving over the same test-drive route (about 15 miles of mixed highway and not so great secondary roads). Perhaps because of extra bracing in the back for the hybrid batteries coupled with the weight of the batteries? I don’t know, but from my subjective butt-meter the hybrid felt firmer.
And, the engine noise -a sort of sewing machine noise common to most 4 cylinder engines, was more pronounced when accelerating vs the V-6. I can confirm what you’ve read about the V-6 drivetrain - silky smooth.
And, while the hybrid gets much better gas mileage without a doubt, I’m pretty consistently getting about 26 mpg in suburban driving and mid-30’s on the highway. Again, normal / relaxed type driving using cruise control on the highway.
One final note. If Lexus follows the pattern set by its model generation changes (eg RX and NX), this well could be the last ES generation that runs on regular fuel. Lexus appears to be moving the brand’s new generation drivetrains to premium fuel.
Good luck with your decision. A good choice no matter which one you choose.

 

Panoramic glass roof on a ES 300h?

That has never been a feature option for this generation of all ES 300h model types. Every ES 300h of this generation is built with a power moonroof.

For the 2019 model year (and continuing through the 2022 model year) only the ES 350, ES 350 Luxury, and ES 350 Ultra Luxury model types had panoramic glass roof as an add-on optional feature. Starting with the 2023 model year the ES 350 F SPORT Design model type was added to the list of model types where the panoramic glass roof was a feature option.

 

I have owned a 2019 with a pano roof now for 4 years absolutely no problems.Cannot imagine owning a luxury car with out one.

 

If you really want a V6 go ahead and get the 350 UL right now. I don't think the pano roof should be a deterrent unless you consistently park outside or under trees. Even then with yearly maintenance on the rubber (silicon grease) and making sure the dripping channels are clean should make it trouble free for year to come. By the time the pano roof gives you problems you'll maybe ready for the market again.

On the other hand, if you are in no rush to buy, try to negotiate the best price you'll be comfortable with for the 350 UL. If it's not possible just walk away and wait for a better offer from the dealer; or for the next 8th Gen model.

The current 300h Hybrid generation is very reliable and proven engine. IMHO the ES 300h in powerful enough in normal and sport mode (not Eco mode) compared to the 350 for short driving bursts. The ride is very refined and quiet as lux sedan should be. Fuel savings are definitely a surprising bonus. I love not having to stop so frequently at gas stations. But maybe next gen is a bit more powerful and AWD is included.

 

When I got my 2023 UL it came with the standard moon roof. I live in FL so never use them so when I saw it didnt have a pano roof I jumped on it.

 

I did not want the pano roof but I did want the ultra luxury ES350 with the V6. So I was able to find a dealer that placed a special order for a 2025 UL without the pano and without the spoiler. That car should be arriving at the dealership between Oct 16th and Oct 26th. I have confirmed multiple times that it will be without those options. So you can get your UL and not the pano roof but it will take some effort to find a dealer willing to make the effort and it will take a number of months for your order to arrive.

 

So is the Jerk Shift now gone from the ES350?

 

No hybrid ever had panoramic roof.
They are pretty reliable if you know how to use them.

 

Are you talking abut the panoramic roof?

 

>The wireless charging is in a good spot to keep phone
Ah,ha, it's not what you think. It 'holds' the charge, it doesn't add to it. To really charge ur phone you really need to plug it in.
The tech at my dealer said something about to get true, full, wireless charging Lexus would have had to pay royalties to some license holder.
The decided not, so you need to plug in to increase the charge on your phone.
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Current Hers: '24 Lexus ES350 Lux
Current Mine: '23 Lexus IS350 FSport, AWD

 

I use my wireless charger often and it always adds to the charge..