
The power specifications of the Lexus ES are as follows: The pure gasoline version of the Lexus ES features a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine with a maximum power of 127 kW and a maximum torque of 208 Nm, and a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with a maximum power of 152 kW and a maximum torque of 243 Nm. The hybrid version of the Lexus ES is equipped with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine that delivers a maximum power of 131 kW and a maximum torque of 221 Nm. The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine used in the hybrid version of the Lexus ES reaches its maximum power at 5,700 rpm and its maximum torque between 1,600 and 5,200 rpm. This engine is equipped with hybrid injection technology and features an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. The 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine in the pure gasoline version of the Lexus ES achieves its maximum power at 6,600 rpm and its maximum torque between 4,400 and 5,200 rpm. This engine also utilizes hybrid injection technology and an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine in the pure gasoline version reaches its maximum power at 6,600 rpm and its maximum torque between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm, also featuring hybrid injection technology and an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block.

The Lexus ES currently offers three main versions: the ES200, ES260, and ES300h. The ES200 is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 173 horsepower and 208 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT transmission. The ES260 features a 2.5-liter engine delivering 207 horsepower and 243 Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The most popular ES300h utilizes a 2.5-liter hybrid system with a combined output of 218 horsepower, offering particularly brisk acceleration from standstill with electric motor assistance, and comes with an E-CVT transmission. The entire series adopts a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, with chassis tuning leaning towards comfort rather than the sporty emphasis found in German cars. The ES260 version provides the most balanced acceleration, adequate for city overtaking and stable at highway speeds. Although the hybrid version has slightly slower power response, its fuel consumption is impressively low at around 5 liters, making it especially suitable for frequent urban commuters.

After driving the ES260, I understand why many people love this powertrain combination. The 2.5L naturally aspirated engine delivers 207 horsepower, with 243 Nm of torque fully released around 3000 rpm. The 8AT transmission shifts up actively but hesitates slightly when downshifting. In the city, the throttle response is very intuitive, and acceleration feels brisk below 80 km/h. However, when you really need to accelerate quickly for overtaking, the engine noise becomes noticeably louder. Unlike turbocharged cars, it doesn’t have explosive power but rather a smooth and progressive acceleration. The chassis filters out road vibrations very effectively, and the steering feels light. The overall tuning encourages relaxed driving rather than aggressive performance, making it ideal for those who prefer a calm daily drive.

Compared to its peers like the BMW 5 Series or Audi A6L, the ES powertrain places greater emphasis on stability. For instance, the ES300h hybrid system uses nickel-metal hydride batteries instead of lithium-ion, offering lower energy density but longer lifespan. The entire hybrid system boasts an impressive 41% thermal efficiency, paired with an E-CVT transmission where electric drive accounts for 30% of operating conditions. The gasoline engine retains traditional naturally aspirated characteristics, avoiding turbo lag common in German turbocharged models. The ES300h accelerates from 0-100 km/h in around 8 seconds, slower than the 525Li but smoother. Lexus prioritizes long-term reliability with this powertrain combination, featuring extended 10,000-km maintenance intervals – where hassle-free ownership outweighs raw performance figures.

If you are particularly concerned about fuel consumption data, the ES300h hybrid version is worth serious consideration. The official fuel consumption figure is 4.8 liters per 100 kilometers, and in actual city commuting with air conditioning on, I achieved around 5.3 liters. It saves nearly 40% on fuel costs compared to the pure gasoline version, and it runs on 92-octane gasoline. The hybrid system primarily uses electric motor drive below 60 km/h, making it exceptionally quiet in traffic jams. The battery pack's degradation rate is only about 20% after ten years, with low maintenance costs. However, you might feel a slight lack of power reserve when climbing hills with a full load and air conditioning on, as the system's total power of 218 horsepower is optimized for fuel efficiency. Overall, this powertrain is especially suitable for users who drive over 20,000 kilometers annually, as the fuel savings can cover the price difference in two to three years.


