Used 2023 Lexus ES

The heart wants a new luxury car, the head says it’s OK to buy a 2023 Lexus ES sedan. If the ES had to be described in two words, they could be responsible indulgence.

Compared with its rivals, the ES is priced competitively. And it holds its value well. That’s why we’ve made the ES a winner of the KBB Best Buy award for its class five years in a row.

The ES isn’t just responsible from a fiscal point of view, especially if we’re talking about the ES 300h hybrid, which is classified as a super ultra-low emissions vehicle. Even the non-hybrid variants qualify as low-emissions vehicles.

Yet there’s still the indulgence of fine cabin materials and superb build quality, a cushioned ride, plus plenty of room for adults in both rows.

Admittedly, there are F Sport packages for both the ES 350 and ES 300h models — adding things like sport front seats, extra aerodynamic parts, and the option of an adaptive suspension. But the 2023 ES luxury sedan tends to excel in a different direction, where comfort and tranquility are prioritized.

The ES is for drivers who don’t want to know how rough the road surface is and would rather have an easy commute than a demanding one. That’s the whole point of a luxury car, right?

It could be argued that the luxury experience is better when there’s a decent amount of power to exercise. So unless all-wheel drive is imperative, the front-drive ES 350 (priced similarly) is nicely muscular, with 302 horsepower created by a refined 3.5-liter V6.

The ES 250 AWD is hampered a bit by having just 203 horsepower, plus the extra weight of a standard all-wheel-drive system.

The lower-emissions alternative is the 2023 ES 300h. Once again, 215 horsepower is not especially impressive, and there are no official combined torque figures. Electric motors invariably provide a kick when accelerating away from a standstill, though. So the ES 300h doesn’t seem underpowered.

Regenerative braking energy systems in hybrids sometimes result in a weird pedal feel, but that’s not an issue here.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of midsize luxury sedans, including this Lexus ES.

Calm and spacious, the 2023 ES emphasizes comfort as well as quality materials. And for a touch of the exotic, the aluminum accents that come with the F Sport treatment are inspired by traditional Japanese swords.

Rear legroom of 39.2 inches is excellent for the class, and the backs of the rear seats are angled to optimize headroom. A powered rear shade is standard in the Luxury model.

If there’s a gripe, it’s that the rear seats are fixed. They don’t split and fold to provide extra cargo-carrying versatility. Trunk space, however, is ample at 16.7 cubic feet. That’s the same for the ES 300h hybrid as well.

LED headlights are standard with the 2023 ES, with triple-beam premium versions available as an option across the lineup. The ES 350 also offers the option of a panoramic moonroof.

Special alloy wheels designed to reduce road noise are standard with the Ultra Luxury and optional with the Luxury.

The ES 300h hybrid has a drag coefficient of 0.26 (with 17-inch wheels), which is quite impressive for a midsize luxury sedan. An earlier generation of the Prius slipped through the air with a drag coefficient of 0.25.

Value
Despite all their attractive qualities, luxury cars, in general, have an unenviable reputation for losing their value. The Lexus ES steers away from that rut by being relatively affordable in the first place and retaining its worth over the years better than any competitor.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Smartphone integration without the inconvenience of fishing your device out of your pocket or purse and connecting a cable. It’s little things like this that make a difference every day. And it’s standard across the lineup.

Hybrid drivetrain
A hybrid makes a lot of sense. The ES 300h is a roomy and plush luxury car, yet it can achieve 44 mpg on the highway. There’s also the reassurance that Lexus and parent company Toyota have completely mastered the hybrid art.

Adaptive cruise control
This radar-based system is standard, works at all speeds, and is enhanced with a lane-tracing feature adding small steering corrections.

Premium package
In many instances, it’s a good idea to skip the base vehicle and look at the next one up. But the 2023 ES has a generous amount of standard equipment, and the optional Premium package ($2,430) is a cost-effective way of gaining extra features (such as a heated/power-adjustable steering wheel, driver’s-seat memory settings, heated/ventilated front seats, wireless charging, and rear parking sensors) without stretching to the Luxury trim.

Mark Levinson surround-sound system
A Mark Levinson audio system is a highlight of Lexus ownership. The one available in the Luxury and Ultra Luxury models delivers 1,800 watts through 17 speakers.

It’s a mixed bag in the most affordable Lexus ES sedan, the 2023 ES 250 AWD. On the one hand, all-wheel drive is standard. On the other, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine makes just 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. There’s no option for more power. Nor do the other drivetrains offer all-wheel drive — they’re front-wheel drive all the way.

A more appropriate amount of muscle for a luxury sedan comes in the ES 350, propelled by 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft from a 3.5-liter V6.

Both the 250 and 350 models deploy an 8-speed automatic transmission. The ES 300h hybrid drivetrain includes a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Lexus doesn’t provide torque figures for its hybrids, but the ES 300h’s combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors results in a total of 215 horsepower.

Regular gasoline is acceptable with any variant.

ES 250 AWD
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine
203 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 mpg

ES 350
3.5-liter V6
302 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
267 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (ES 350), 22/31 mpg (F Sport)

ES 300h
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine
Two electric motors
Total system horsepower: 215
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 43/44 mpg

More Lexus ES fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

4-year/50,000-mile Warranty

A basic new-car warranty from Lexus lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. The standard powertrain warranty is six years or 70,000 miles. However, hybrid systems are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, with the hybrid battery protected for 10 years or 150,000 miles. These warranties are typical for the luxury car sector.

The first two scheduled services are complimentary. Intervals are six months or 5,000 miles (whichever comes first) and 12 months or 10,000 miles.