The Lexus ES300h Luxury comes with a panoramic roof with sunshade, artificial leather trim, auto-folding mirrors, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, powered and heated front seats, keyless entry/start, rain-sensing wipers, a powered boot lid, adaptive cruise control as part of a long list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that also includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), a 14-inch touchscreen, embedded navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, a 10-speaker audio system, five USB-C ports, nine airbags and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Luxury + Enhancement Pack adds items such as a perforated seat trim, an electronic rear-view mirror, driver’s seat memory, a surround-view monitor, automatic parking assist, head-up display, digital key with NFC card and wireless smartphone charger.

Moving on to the ES350e Sport luxury grade, you’ll find all these plus adaptive LED headlights, leather upholstery, radiant heating climate control with heat pump, twin wireless phone chargers, a panoramic sunroof, vented front seats with memory and driver’s side seat slide settings, a powered steering wheel, acoustic side glass, rear door sunshade, easy-close doors, adaptive dampers and 21-inch alloys wheels.

The ES500e Sport Luxury tops that will a second electric motor for all-wheel drive, more power and an artificial manual mode that holds each fake gear ratio until the driver uses the paddle shifters to shift up or down.

The Lexus ES has the largest interior of any version in the series’ eight generations.

Aided by an 80mm wheelbase stretch, there is space aplenty in both rows, with significantly higher seating positions thanks to an increase in ride and roof heights. Wide doors provide easy entry and egress.

Both front seats are exceptionally comfortable and supportive, providing a fine driving position.

Radiant heating and a heat pump system in the EV models enhance the climate control system, which is now solely accessed via a 14-inch touchscreen that dominates a minimalist, low-set dashboard design on all grades. The driver faces a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that is supported by a head-up display in EP and Sports Luxury versions.

The ES uses Toyota’s new operating system, with improved multimedia connectivity, speed and functionality. Access to most controls is unfettered, there is a decent storage within and underneath the centre console, door pockets and glovebox, and ventilation is ample.

Unique details include a soft rubber dash top, contrasting bamboo panel inserts, and “hidden switches” on the steering wheel spokes and lower centre console area, with symbols that remain invisible until a hand hovers over them.

The rear seat, meanwhile, is massive, with heaps of legroom and shoulder space, and the fixed cushions and backrests are designed for comfort and support.

Amenities include a wide centre armrest, face-level vents, USB-C ports, overhead lighting and door storage. As with the front, the rear’s premium ambience is enhanced by the trim and textures with a quality that feels a cut-above.

The Lexus ES300h is a series-parallel hybrid vehicle, powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine making 105kW of power at 4800rpm and 227Nm of torque between 3200rpm and 3300rpm. It is paired to a permanent magnet synchronous motor generator making 150kW and 270m and a small Lithium Ion battery, for a total power output of 144kW.

Torque is sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

Under the Lexus ES350e’s bonnet is a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor, that sends 167kW of power and 269Nm of torque to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission.

The Lexus ES500e adds an 88kW/170Nm electric motor located on the rear axle, for a total of 252kW of power (Lexus does not quote a combined torque figure) and all-wheel drive.

The Lexus ES300h manages the 0-100km/h sprint time in 7.7 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 195km/h.

The Lexus ES350e manages the 0-100km/h sprint time in 8.0 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 160km/h.

The Lexus ES500e manages the 0-100km/h sprint time in 5.5 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 180km/h.

The Lexus ES is a five-seater luxury sedan.

The ES300h hybrid comes in a single Luxury grade, with artificial leather upholstery and powered and heated front seats with driver’s side lumbar support. An Enhancement Pack option adds perforated elements, a driver’s seat memory function, ventilated front seats and front-passenger seat lumbar support.

Meanwhile, the ES350e and ES500e are Sports Luxury grades only, with leather upholstery, front seats that are electrically operated with heating, ventilation, lumbar support and memory function, while the driver’s side has an extended base for better leg support.

The rear bench seat in all grades is fixed, with a centre armrest containing storage, smartphone and tablet screen rests and retractable twin cupholders. When folded, it hides a latch that opens up into the luggage compartment to provide ski port access.

The Lexus ES300h offers a combined fuel consumption average of 4.5 litres per 100km, an extra-urban figure of 4.6L/100km and urban figure of 4.7L/100km. These translate to a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 103 grams/km, 104g/km and 106g/km respectively.

With a 55-litre fuel tank filled with the required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, it offers a theoretical range of 1222km between top-ups.

The ES350e and ES500e use a 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery that offers a WLTP range of 510km in the former and WLTP rating of 465km in the latter.

Lexus says the ES350e's WLTP energy consumption is 16.4kWh/100km, or 1.5kWh better than the ES500e AWD’s 17.9kWh/100km.