Premium Pkg 2025 ES300h vs. PP 2025 ES350: Pros & Cons of each? Below MSRP pricing in SoCal? (How much below?)

 

 

I can only tell you about the 300h as that's what I have. I'm getting 48 mpg in combined driving. I'm sure the V-6 has more power but my hybrid has quite a bit too, more than I need. I'm sold on hybrids and I love this car.

 

Rent both for a couple of days and decide then. Also check with your insurance and get a quote.

Why I choose the 350:
1. bulletproof V6 engine that will no longer be made.
2. torque converter geared transmission.
3. no start/stop
4. uses regular gasoline
5. cable controlled transmission

My wife has a hybrid and it's ok around town and basic driving. What I don't like when you want power, the car has none. If anyone tells you that the ES 300h power is close to the 350... they have **** for brains. I test drove one and you really have to wring that motor to get it up to speed. It's loud and buzzy going up a grade. It's adequate. It's still nowhere near the experience you get with the 3.5L V6. If fuel efficiency is what you want, get the ES hybrid.

As for myself, I like the traditional big heavy comfy car with power from a big displacement motor when you mash the throttle.

Don't look at the 13" screen if you don't plan to get it. You can't unsee it. You will want it. I myself want the Mark Levinson sound system but was only available in a $5,000 package that the dealer was selling me. I can do without it.
If you do get the hybrid, make sure the motor have D4S. I don't know if it does, but the V6 has D4S. If you don't know, D4S is a system where the engine has both direct and port fuel injectors. It basically eliminates the problem of having carbon build up. Early Toyota/Lexus direct injection engines didn't have it and were prone to carbon build up.

Fuel efficiency is tops for you, get the hybrid.
You want a traditional old man car with ***** when you stomps on the pedal, get the V6.

 

It's too bad the ES hybrid isn't AWD. Some Toyota/Lexus hybrids have the electric motor in the back. The ES hybrid has the electric motor in the front. Too bad. Would have made a more excellent winter car.

 

Go test drive both and decide from there. See which car checks more boxes for you.

 

I’ve owned both, and while there are advantages and disadvantages to each, the hybrid is definitely my preference.

 

Hybrid:

Reliability
Economy
Value
Smoothness


V6:
V6 engine
Power



Personally I went with the hybrid.

 

We have the RX hybrid for my wife's daily driver. They're AWD with an electric motor at the rear and in no way connected to the gas engine. Hybrid vs ICE really a personal choice. I'm a fan of both as I drive an ES V6.

 

I have a 350. The transmission can be a bit clunky, and that's a common occurrence with these vehicles. I've driven a 300h. They are smoother but also more tepid getting up to speed.

 

^^. This, this, and all this. And twice on Sunday.

 

You have convinced me: V6. Any thoughts on pricing? I'm willing to pay all-cash. How aggressive can I get on an offer without totally offending the SoCal dealer?

 

Don't tell them you'll be paying cash. Dealers are more willing to negotiate when you finance especially thru their banks. Avoid answering the question of how you are willing to pay. If they ask, change the topic or say you're not sure. If you get them down to a price you are comfortable with, have them write down the price agreed upon (assuming you haven't discussed payment).
Then do the transaction with the agreed upon price with cash.

Don't worry about offending them. Sales people have thick skin.

 

Best to email the sales manager or general manager directly rather than starting with a salesperson who has no authority to approve final price?

 

If the car you want is in the lot of this dealer, and the nearby dealers, doesn't have to be the same color and all options, you can reach out to all of them and ask what is their best price, and ask if they can match the 10% discount the other dealer is working on to give you, and go from there . Ask for 10% and willing to accept 5% - 8% off MSRP.