I'm actively looking to buy this week - likely ES300h , versus smaller chance of ES350...

On test drive, it seemed like the amount of play on the driver's seat (up and down adjustment) was less than it is on the ES350. But I would have thought that it is the same seat, and neither car is RWD....(unlike the GS)

Can anyone corroborate on the seats being different in any way, or is it my imagination?

 

It is the same seat in the ES300h and ES350...so I guess it's your imagination. Unless they had different packages (Ultra Luxury vs. Luxury or Premium Package) in which case there might be a slight difference due to additional adjustments, but it shouldn't change the up/down adjustment.

 

I like the seat extension on my ES 350, supports under my knees

 

Does the ventilated function work as well on the hybrid model?

 

meaning - when the gas engine is not running, the AC may not be as powerful and hence ventilated seats not work as well?
good question. When I test drove these a couple of times , it was pretty hot and AC seemed to work ok from what I could tell

 

The AC is electrically driven in the 300h. It works just as well with the engine off and is much more efficient. The steering, brakes, AC, all are electrically powered in the 300h.