DecodedCars2019 Lexus ES
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2019 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 300h Hybrid 4dr Sedan, 350 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 176–301 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 44 combined · 43 city / 45 hwy
- Length
- 196.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,649–3,704 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 44 MPG combined — 57% better than the average 2019 midsize car (28.1 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2019 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2019 Lexus ES is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 196 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,704 lb (300h Hybrid 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 44 MPG combined (43 city / 45 highway), 57% better than the 2019 midsize car average of 28.1 MPG, for an estimated $1,500 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
What changed for 2019
- New body dimensions: 3.2 in longer, wheelbase +2.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 40 to 44
Compared with 2018; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2018 ES →
Trims, performance & features
Engine301 hp3.5L 6-cyl
Engine176 hp2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissionautomatic
Seating5 seats · 2 rows
Trims
350300h
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringOptional
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Parking assistOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
Built in: Georgetown, Kentucky · Miyawaka, Fukuoka
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2019 ES configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300h Hybrid 4dr Sedan | 196.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.1 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,704 lb | 59/41 |
| 350 4dr Sedan | 196.1 in | 73.6 in | 57.1 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,649 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES 300h Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 43 / 45 / 44 | +57% | $1,500 | 201 |
| ES 350 | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 33 / 26 | -7% | $2,600 | 343 |
| ES 350 F Sport | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | -11% | $2,700 | 352 |
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $4,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
28.1 MPG2019 Midsize Cars average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2019 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2019 Lexus ES.
Similar 2019 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Lexus ES (this car) | 44 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2019 BMW 3 Series | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2019 BMW 5 Series | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2019 Audi A4 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2019 Audi A6 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
Recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Nov 4, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V682000 · 1,525,742 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jan 13, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V012000 · 1,830,752 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Service Brakes · Jul 24, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V544000 · 6,925 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.
Air Bags › Knee Bolster · Apr 10, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V288000 · 564 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus ES vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a driver knee air bag assembly mounted to the lower instrument panel (IP) that may have been improperly installed, possibly affecting the deployment of the knee air bag in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the knee air bag does not deploy properly.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver knee air bag assembly, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are KLD and KLE.
Not every 2019 Lexus ES is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
40Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
7Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
12,800 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2019 Lexus ES buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 12 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Engine — 9 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,800 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2019 Lexus ES. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other ES years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ES | 46 | 202.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2023 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 16 |
| 2021 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 35 |
| 2020 ES | 44 | 196.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 24 |
| 2018 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 15 |
| 2017 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 2016 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 37 |
| 2015 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 27 |
| 2014 ES | 40 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 39 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →