ElliotB

As there are so many threads dealing with problems/complaints, I though it might be refreshing to discuss all the good stuff about these vehicles. I know this vehicle is not perfect but for the money, I think the new ES is an exceptional value for what you get (IMHO). My vehicle has been trouble free and being a Lexus, I expect it to stay that way. And if not, my local Lexus dealer, JM Lexus in Margate Florida offers truly amazing service and has, like many Lexus dealers, and incredible facility. Loaner cars are always available if needed. (I have used them with other Lexus vehicles I have owned.)

Aside from the incredible fuel efficiency of the 300h, I really like he feel of the steering wheel. I know this isn't a major consideration but it just feels nice every time I get in the car and drive. I use the navigation a lot and especially appreciate the destination assist feature.

And I like the analog clock!

What do you like about your new car?

Dave Mac

For me:

Blind Spot Monitoring
Cross Traffic Alert
Improved Rear View Camera
Power Trunk release

and as always the Smart Key system

Don't like:

The lack of a compass in the rearview mirror
The analog clock

Really like the car.

Dave Mac

jollick

I like:
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Lane Departure Alert (wish it had the nudge like my HS did)
Blind Spot Monitoring
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Improved Rear View Camera (it is about time they added the overlay)
Power Trunk open/close (use it all the time)
Quiet ride
Smooth ride, comfort
Cruise control shows the set mph
Ambient lighting
Body style
Interior space
Mark Levinson sound system (need to have the sub-woofer replaced, it pops)
ES300h gas mileage
Self dimming headlights

Don't like:
The lack of a compass in the rear-view mirror
Trunk capacity

Overall it is the best Lexus I have ever owned. Previous owner of LS, SC, RX, and GS, also still have a 2006 GS AWD.

Arty101

Likes:
Optronics instrument lighting that changes from blue in Eco mode to Red in Sports mode
Gas Mileage (avg 38-40 mpg in 300h)
Analog clock (adds a classy look, IMHO)
Blue Tooth connection to my iPhone music and phone
Bamboo steering wheel
Quiet ride and solid feel
Overall comfort

Dislikes:
Navi/Voice Command System is not intuitive
Sirius Radio (which is now deactivated)
No compass in mirror (when I don't need Navi)
No Auto Leveling in HIDs

MY100thcar

The one thing I like the best and would not want to be without is:

The remote touch Navigation system.
With the screen high near the windshield where it should be and NOT in the middle of the dash like most cars still have today.
I have not used my 2011 Tahoe for some time. I took a long trip last week and found with the navigation screen in the center of the dash it is VERY distracting (can't keep my eyes on the road like I can with the ES). ..... YES this is a VERY BIG deal to me.

The one thing I miss the most is.........
The self dimming high beams.

LexRuger

The nav control mouse. I never really liked touchscreens

The plush quiet ride. I love a sporty stiff suspension and every previous car has had that, but this is a pleasant change.

The HIDs. Brighter than my Maxima.

The LED DRLs. They just look good.

unowned

We have an ES350 (Luxury, Nav, Hid, Blindspot)

Likes: Exterior front end styling
All the "toys"
Lots of baby seat and rear passenger room

Dislikes:
Analog clock
Nav can't configure very much of the car settings

Wishes:
Single Bi-Xenon HID projectors (low and high beam in one projector, HID high beams are amazing when you need to use them)

amphipri0n

Great:
Styling -- a lot bolder than the previous generation ES, really like the grill and headlamp + LED drl
Quiet and smooth ride -- wind and road noise is well isolated. Car feels very solid over bumps, zero rattles
Interior -- stylish multi-level dash layout, remote touch, quality gauges and controls... realy a nice and comfy place to be in

Not So Great:
Door Panels -- right above the arm rest CREAKS when pressure is applied... Naturally, force will be applied here whenever you are opening the door to exit the vehicle (pushing out with your forearm/elbow) so it is especially annoying that this causes a creak I wouldn't expect in a Corolla, let alone a Lexus... Will be posting about this separately as well as asking a dealer for a fix.
Audio -- while volume and quality are both good in the ML system, the height of the soundstage feels low not sure if this is something I can tweak...
Lack of auto leveling HID -- all the materials I saw prior to purchase led me to believe this was included, as covered in another recent thread, the '13 ES HIDs do not have this feature

To end on a good note... Love the steering wheel feel and the power available while still able to average a combined 25mpg, 30-31 when on the fwy!

KennyLexus

I'll have to echo Jollick's likes and add.

Likes:
- The changing lights in the instrument panel.
- Sport Mode (kind of reminds me of my Audi in chip mode and non-chip mode)

Also, a couple of dislikes.

Dislikes:
- Heated steering wheel (even though Lexus didn't heat the wood, they could have at least heated ALL THREE SPOKES instead of just the 9 'o clock & 3 'o clock spokes.)
- ES300h wheels (but I'm about to correct that very soon...stay tuned )

LisaES350

Great thread! I really like:

- The blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert
- The heated steering wheel
- Ambient lighting
- Pandora and the ML system
- The exterior color (Red Matador) and the contrast of the glass roof
- Exterior and interior styling
- The mouse so that I do don't have fingerprints all over my nav screen
- Love not having to dig for my keys to open or start the car
- Passenger room
- Smooth ride
And last but not least... That new car smell!

Lowellb

Everything !!

ALIGN

Likes:
- Blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert
- very quiet interior and smooth ride
- Smart key not to mention no buttons on the door handle

Dislike:
- leather not so great
- useless fog lights
- no adaptive headlights
- no auto fold-in side mirror
-

a310pilot

Like.

New spindle grill.
Passenger window blinds. ( Kids gonna love it and break it )
Auto trunk close.
LDA
Dynamic cruise control.
Analog clock.
Ambient lighting.
Overall sportier European car like interior.
Smooth ride.
And most of all. regular gas!
Wood trim and smaller steering wheel.



Dislikes.

OLD corolla type cabin lights.
NO Map light. (which adds a very suttle glow to center console. )
No foot vents for rear passengers.(GS has it)
NO seat heating for rear passengers (Honda Accord has it for god sake,)

IS350atWOT

iTrader: (1)

I like the Blind Side Monitoring. It really helps as an extra safety feature.

I also like that the EV light comes on when it's in EV/battery only mode. (On my 2010 RX 450h, you have to listen and/or feel if the engine is running or not to know if it is in EV/battery only mode.)

I like how you can take it out of edo mode and flip it to sport mode real easily. This is handy when pulling out into traffic. (You have to go through several clicks on my 450h to get it to normal mode and back to eco.)

I like the roominess of the cabin.

UTAS

I like 95% of everything about our new ES300h (except for things I dislike, which are not supposed to be on this thread).

Love the analog clock, the auto-highbeams, the cross traffic rear alert when backing up, the mpg and clean burning engine, smooth and quiet ride, the looks of Matador Mica Red with chrome accents and blue hybrid emblems, the automatic trunk opener (who would have thought?), radar cruise control, lane departure alert.

Overall, a very nice experience for a fuel efficient car with plenty of smooth riding luxury.