Lexus has launched the ES 350h in India at ₹66.10 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base Exquisite, going up to ₹71.80 lakh for the Luxury. It's a strong hybrid, meaning no plug and no charging worries. The catch: it uses the same basic 2.5L petrol-hybrid setup as the Toyota Camry, which starts at ₹47.48 lakh. So you're paying a big premium for the Lexus badge, more space and better kit. Is it worth it? Let's break it down.
Price & variants: what the ₹5.70-lakh walk-up buys
Two trims are on offer. The Exquisite starts at ₹66.10 lakh (ex-showroom), and the Luxury sits at ₹71.80 lakh. That's a ₹5.70-lakh gap between them. Remember, these are ex-showroom prices, so on-road (after road tax, registration and insurance) will be higher and vary by state. Lexus has not spelt out the exact feature split between the two trims. Sources say things like ventilated and heated front seats, rear window sunshades and the Mark Levinson audio are part of the package, but which trim gets what needs confirming with the dealer. If you don't need every extra, the Exquisite at ₹66.10 lakh is the sensible pick.
Powertrain: 244 hp strong hybrid, no plug needed
Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor. Together they make 244 hp and 270 Nm of torque (pulling power), sent through an e-CVT (a smooth automatic gearbox). It does 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds (how fast it reaches highway speed), so it's quick enough. The petrol engine alone makes 185 hp and 235 Nm. This is a strong (self-charging) hybrid, so you never plug it in. The electric motor drives the car at low city speeds, the petrol engine kicks in when you accelerate, and braking recharges the battery. Handy in Bengaluru traffic where the petrol engine can switch off and save fuel.
Lexus ES 350h
SedanMileage & running costs: what to expect
Lexus has not announced an official ARAI mileage figure for the ES 350h yet. For context, the Camry with a similar hybrid setup claims 25.4 km/l on ARAI (a government test that always reads higher than real driving). The ES 350h is bigger and heavier, so expect a real-world figure around 20-22 km/l, split lower in the city and higher on the highway. That's still very frugal for a car this size. At roughly ₹100/litre petrol, running costs work out cheaper than a regular petrol luxury sedan. The saving over the years is real, but at this price the running-cost math is a bonus, not the reason to buy.
Hybrid vs rivals: the ₹18 lakh Lexus premium
This is the elephant in the room. The Toyota Camry, which shares the same strong-hybrid idea, starts at ₹47.48 lakh, meaning the ES 350h costs ₹18-24 lakh more. The Audi A4 runs ₹46.88-55.83 lakh, and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe runs ₹45.80-48.20 lakh, both petrol turbos and both cheaper. Even the Skoda Octavia RS at ₹49.99 lakh undercuts it. So what does the extra money buy? A longer, taller car with more cabin space, the Lexus badge, a 14-inch touchscreen and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. None of the rivals match the ES 350h on hybrid refinement plus size plus badge together. But if outright value is your priority, every rival here is cheaper.
Features & safety: 14-inch screen, 10 airbags
The cabin gets Lexus' dual-tone brown and black leatherette upholstery with a clean, minimalist layout. You get a 14-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital driver's display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, twin wireless chargers, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting and a powered boot lid. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker system is a big step up from the Camry's smaller unit. On safety, there are 10 airbags, a surround-view camera, electronic stability control, hill hold and Lexus Safety System+4 with radar cruise control (ADAS, safety tech that can brake and keep pace for you). And the 8-year or 2-lakh-km powertrain warranty is real peace of mind for a hybrid.
Road tax & ownership: state waivers can soften the blow
Here's where hybrids can claw back some money. Uttar Pradesh offers a 100% road-tax waiver on strong hybrids, which can save roughly ₹1.8 lakh on a car this pricey. Delhi's draft policy proposes a 50% waiver for strong hybrids under ₹30 lakh, so the ES 350h likely won't qualify there. Rules differ by state, so check your local RTO before booking. On resale, strong hybrids tend to hold value about 15-20% better than pure EVs, since buyers don't worry about battery replacement or charging. That's a quiet plus over the ownership years.
Should you buy it? Who the ES 350h is for
The Lexus ES 350h makes sense if you're stepping up from a Camry and want more space, a nicer badge and top-tier audio, or if you're cross-shopping German sedans but prefer no-plug hybrid smoothness and long warranty cover. It is not for bargain-hunters. Every rival on the list is cheaper, and the ES 350h's real edge is refinement plus hybrid running costs plus that 8-year warranty. The Exquisite at ₹66.10 lakh is the value pick if you need the hybrid; the ₹5.70-lakh Luxury adds a convenience kit you should inspect in person first. Comfortable and frugal, but you pay handsomely for the Lexus name.
References: Toyota India — official website
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