Lexus Reviews

The Lexus ES300h Luxury is the entry into the ES300h range, with a list price of $59,888.Standard features include a 12.3-inch screen with sat nav and a 10-speaker Pioneer stereo system with digital radio. There’s a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, 10-way power adjustable front seats, privacy rear windows, moonroof, proximity key and LED headlights, too.The Lexus ES is only available with one powertrain option – a petrol-electric hybrid. This combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 131kW and 221Nm with an electric motor that has outputs of 88kW and 202Nm. The 244.8V nickel-metal hydride battery has been moved from under the boot floor in the previous generation car to under the rear seats, so it no longer eats into the cargo space.The ES300h isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so battery recharging is done through regenerative braking.A continuously variable transmission means seamless and smooth low speed driving using just the motor, but under heavy acceleration the engine activates and the you’ll hear that drone associated with CVTs.The Lexus ES300h was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in September 2018. Expect 10 airbags, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. 

Lexus ES300h Sport Luxury sits at the top of the two-grade ES300h line-up, costing $74,888.Standard features include a 12.3-inch screen, sat nav and a Mark Levinson 17-speaker sound system with digital radio. There’s a head-up display, wireless charging, privacy rear windows, moonroof, proximity key, leather seats, heated and ventilated 12-way power adjustable front seats, heated and power reclining rear seats, three-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade and manual side rear window shades, gesture open boot and cornering LED headlights, too.The Lexus ES is only available with one powertrain option – a petrol-electric hybrid. This combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 131kW and 221Nm with an electric motor that has outputs of 88kW and 202Nm. The 244.8V nickel-metal hydride battery has been moved from under the boot floor in the previous generation car to under the rear seats, so it no longer eats into the cargo space. The ES300h isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so battery recharging is done through regenerative braking.A continuously variable transmission means seamless and smooth low speed driving using just the motor, but under heavy acceleration the engine activates and the you’ll hear that drone associated with CVTs.The Lexus ES300h was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in September 2018. Expect 10 airbags, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warning and adaptive cruise control.

The Lexus ES300h is more tranquil than a stroll through a Zen garden, but is it really a challenger to Mercedes' E-Class or BMW's 5 Series?

The Lexus RX now comes with a longer seven-seat version, and this is it: the RX 350L. Nedahl Stelio recently conducted her regular week-long family test in the Japanese luxury SUV, and came away very impressed.

In the world of luxury limousines, it's the well-entrenched and much-desired European trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi that hold court. It's a brave car maker that tries to muscle in.

If your vehicular predilections tend towards the high end of upper-large SUVS, then the new diesel Lexus LX 450d - with a price-tag tickling $140,000 - might just be your cup of Da Hong Pao* tea. (Apparently the world's most expensive tea)

The RC F is the angriest member of the RC family, packing a 5.0-litre V8 engine that will fire 351kW/530Nm toward the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic.

The 300 marks the cheapest way into the RC family, making use of the smallest engine; a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit good for 180kW/350Nm.

The 350 occupies the second rung on the RC ladder, between the entry-level 300 and the V8-powered RC F models.

Lexus has come a long way from its undeniably drab and dull past, and now pumps out out cars that are fun to drive, and even to look at.