INTRODUCTION

One month in with Lexus’s refined hybrid saloon, the ES 300h proves that daily commutes don’t have to feel like a chore they can feel like quiet escapes.

There’s always something special about a new car entering the DAG India garage, but the Lexus ES 300h arrived with a different promise. This wasn’t about excitement or performance bragging rights. It was about calm, comfort, and refinement. Over the past month, I’ve lived with the ES the way it’s meant to be experienced through Pune’s chaotic streets, brief expressway bursts, and slow weekend detours. The result? A luxury saloon that makes even the most mundane drives feel thoughtfully curated.

A sanctuary on wheels the ES 300h’s cabin blends intuitive technology with Lexus’s trademark serenity.

FAMILIAR, YET FRESH

This isn’t my first experience with the ES 300h. I already knew its strengths silky refinement, generous rear seat space, and a dependable hybrid powertrain. What this updated version brings is polish rather than reinvention.

The revised spindle grille, sleeker LED headlamps, and refined 18 inch alloy wheels sharpen its road presence without screaming for attention. Park it next to German rivals and it doesn’t compete with aggression it wins with composure. Quiet confidence has always been Lexus’s calling card.

Step inside and the cabin instantly feels familiar in the best way. Materials feel premium, the build quality is impeccable, and that signature Lexus hush wraps around you. The biggest improvement is the repositioned 12.3 inch touchscreen, now closer and angled toward the driver. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly, while rear seat occupants continue to enjoy three zone climate control, sunshades, and acres of space.

Quiet confidence the redesigned spindle grille gives the ES 300h a sharper yet understated presence.

LIVING WITH A HYBRID

A month into city driving highlights what the ES 300h does best removing stress from the equation. Early mornings often begin in pure EV mode, gliding silently through neigh bourhoods before the city wakes up. In traffic snarls, frustration is replaced by calm as the hybrid system switches seamlessly between petrol and electric power.

The e CVT transmission is so unobtrusive that it fades into the background. On expressways, the ES isn’t about explosive speed, but it was never meant to be. Instead, it offers a balanced, supple ride that irons out rough patches while insulating you from noise. At the end of a long day, stepping into the ES feels less like entering a car and more like slipping into a private lounge.

Elegance in motion the Lexus ES 300h prioritises ride comfort and composure over aggression.

FUEL EFFICIENCY SO FAR

Hybrids promise efficiency, and the ES 300h delivers. City commutes have returned an impressive 17–18 kmpl, while expressway runs hover around 15–16 kmpl. For a luxury saloon of this size, those numbers feel reassuringly real-world. With a range comfortably exceeding 800 km, fuel stops have become noticeably less frequent.

REACTIONS FROM THE REAR SEAT

The ES 300h has quickly become the family favourite. Rear passengers love the legroom, plush seating, and the ability to shut out the world with powered sunshades and excellent sound insulation. One relative summed it up perfectly: This doesn’t feel like a car it feels like a moving lounge. Even the upgraded infotainment system has earned praise, keeping long journeys relaxed and distraction free.

Designed to soothe subtle details reinforce the ES 300h’s calm, luxury first philosophy.

FIRST MONTH TAKEAWAY

Long-term ownership is about honesty. The Lexus ES 300h isn’t flawless. Lexus’s dealership network in India remains limited, making service planning more deliberate. And while the hybrid excels in city conditions, driving enthusiasts may crave more drama when pushing harder.

Still, these are small compromises for what the ES offers daily exceptional refinement, comfort, and a reduced carbon footprint without sacrificing luxury. Priced at ₹64 lakh for the ES 300h Exquisite and ₹69 lakh for the ES 300h Luxury, it isn’t inexpensive, but for buyers who value serenity over speed and elegance over flash, it makes a compelling case.

LOOKING FORWARD

After a month, the ES 300h has become more than just another car in the garage. It’s the one we reach for when traffic looks unforgiving and the day feels long. Over the coming weeks, it’ll face longer highway journeys and varied conditions, but for now, the Lexus ES 300h has already proven that luxury can be calming, conscious, and deeply comforting.

And in the DAG India garage, that’s a welcome addition.