Lexus 300h is going from comfortable and classic to bold in 2016 with a design makeover inside and out.

Under the Hood

The vehicle’s hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine with an electric motor to generate 200 total system horsepower. The 2016 model will be able to run on electric motor or gas engine alone, or a combination of both. Drivers will be able to choose from four driving modes: Normal, Sport, Eco and EV.

The ES 300h has EPA fuel economy ratings of 40 mpg city / 39 mpg highway / 40 mpg combined.

Exterior

Starting with the first thing others drivers see as they approach, the ES 300h’s spindle grill has been upgraded to one piece for 2016 and features a bold satin chrome trim. LED headlights are now standard on the newly redesigned front fascia that features fog lights on the corners of the front end to accentuate the vehicle’s wide stance.

As the eye works its way toward the ES 300h’s rear, it will notices that the car features the brand’s distinctive L-themed taillights and comes with exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels.

The 2016 ES 300h will be available in four new exterior colors.

Interior

Designed to have a richer appearance and feel, Lexus has added new interior colors and color coordination to the 2016 model. Soft-touch materials and silver-trimmed piano black door switch plates exemplifiy this new standard.

New trims are for 2016 are Linear Dark Mocha, Illustrious Piano Black (replaces Piano Black) and Bamboo with a matte finish (replaces gloss finish).

Being made sportier, much in the fashion of the 2015 Toyota Avalon, Lexus has given the ES 300h a new steering wheel with a sportier look and feel and new shift knob with a leather boot that will remind buyers of IS models.

Seating and Storage

2016 Lexus ES 300h will feel luxury at their fingertips even in the entry level sedan because standard 10-way adjustable power front seats; automatic climate control; NuLuxe perforated upholstery; a power tilt-and-slide moonroof; power-adjustable outside mirrors with turn signals and defoggers; remote-linked power window and moonroof opening and Lexus Personalized Settings to customize select electronic functions are now standard.

Premium, Luxury and Ultra Luxury Packages give buyers more luxurious options.

New Lexus Safety System+

The new ES 300h comes with 10 standard airbags and numerous driver-assist technologies. For 2016, the new optional Lexus Safety System+ Package combines the Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Intelligent High Beam and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Additionally, the optional Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert helps detect vehicles in side blind spots and alert the driver to rear cross traffic when backing out of a parking space.

Infotainment

Lexus brings the ES 300h in line with comparable makes and models by giving the vehicle a standard 7-inch screen which controls the Display Audio system including HD Radio™, Bluetooth® audio, automatic phone book transfer, a vehicle information display and complimentary traffic and weather data provided via HD Radio.

Each ES 300h comes with a one-year trial subscription to Lexus Enform Remote giving customers the customer to remotely view and control certain aspects of the vehicle using a mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Lexus Enform Service Connect is new for 2016 and gives the vehicle the ability to tell drivers what it needs (routine maintenance or service) via the MyLexusandBeyond mobile app for iOS devices or LexusDrivers.com.

The Lexus Enform App Suite, standard on all ES 300h vehicles, comes with voice-enabled apps to search the Internet through Destination Services, make restaurant reservations through OpenTable®, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.comTM, listen to Internet radio, (including Pandora®, iHeartRadio and Slacker), search business reviews on Yelp®, and check in on Facebook Places™. Lexus Enform Destination Services, eDestination and Destination Assist, comes with the optional navigation system (one-year trial subscription included).

Want more? Choose the Navigation option and get an 8-inch screen that gives the ability to divide the screen into three displays simultaneously.

For 2016, the RTI controller gets new, easier to use “enter” buttons on both sides.
iPhone® users have yet another control option — Siri® Eyes Free Mode. Make calls, select songs from iTunes®, get turn-by-turn navigation through Apple Maps, and much more, all by asking Siri.

Like other Lexus models, the 2016 ES 300h comes from the optional Mark Levinson® Premium Sound system. New for 2016, it’s available with any option package.

Warranty

48-month/50,000 mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48 months/unlimited miles.
72 months/70,000 miles powertrain and restraint system coverage.
72 months corrosion perforation protection coverage, regardless of mileage.

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See a photo gallery of the 2016 ES 300h here.

image courtesy of Lexus