F Sport joins Lexus ES 300h range

The Lexus ES 300h range has been upgraded and expanded via the addition of a new F Sport variant, optional Enhancement Pack and extra standard equipment across the hybrid sedan line-up.

The latter includes front parking sensors and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, but pricing for the existing Lexus ES 300h Luxury and Sports Luxury has increased by $600, to $60,488 and $75,488 plus on-road costs respectively.

Bringing the number Lexus ES 300h variants to three is the new F Sport variant, which slots between those two models $69,755 plus ORCs and adds adaptive suspension (for the first time on Aussie ES models), five driving modes and exterior upgrades including a mesh grill, larger 19-inch alloy wheels, triple-beam LED headlights and more.

In addition, Lexus has announced a new Enhancement Pack option for the entry-level Luxury and new mid-range F Sport variants, priced at $8387 and $4000 respectively and bringing extras from the range-topping Sports Luxury grade.

For the base ES 300h Luxury the Enhancement Pack adds more safety gear including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a panoramic-view monitor, plus 18-inch alloy wheels (over 17s), an electric rear sunshade, leather-accented seat trim, ventilation and 14-way electric adjustment for the front seats and memory function for the driver.

The Enhancement Pack for the ES 300h F Sport adds a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, heated steering wheel and power back door with kick sensor.

The Lexus ES 300h is well equipped even at base level, where carryover standard features include bi-LED headlights with cornering function, 17-inch alloy wheels, moonroof, head-up display, heated front seats and a power adjustable steering column.

Every ES 300h variant also comes with a 12.3-inch centre display with satellite-navigation, voice control, digital radio and wireless smartphone charging (and now mirroring).

Range-topping Sports Luxury models are unchanged, offering multi-spoke 18-inch alloys, tri-zone climate control, semi-aniline leather-accented seats, rear door sunshades and heated rear seating with power recline function.

The same petrol-electric powertrain continues across the hybrid-only range: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor, producing a total power output of 160kW.

How much does the 2019 Lexus ES 300h cost?
Luxury -- $60,488
Luxury + EP -- $68,875
F Sport -- $69,755
F Sport + EP -- $73,755
Sports Luxury -- $75,488
* Prices exclude on-road costs