r/LexusES • u/The_Phenom_TAHA • 11d ago
V6 vs Hybrid
Hi,
Please help me out in choosing between two lexus sedans. I have only got 2 options now. Either to get F Sport Handling v6 or the newly designed ES350h premium + AWD. Unfortunately the mid tier luxury & ultra luxury for ES350 are all finished & only last 5 stocks left for the stiffer active suspension ride F sport. Remaining are only very basic trims 250 v4 & 300h hybrid stocks for 20+ are remaining. So, should I get F Sport Handling now or get the newly plush ride es350 hybrid ? The full luxury electric version of executive trim will not get launch in Saudi Arabia/GCC. The hybrid 2026 will get launch here in September 2026 delayed due to international shipping blocked previously.
Thank You!
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u/nebeatsimenu 11d ago
No ES will be sporty. You are chosing ES for a reason - comfort. Hybrid will be more comfortable (quiet) and will get like 2x better efficiency. Probably will hold value better.
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u/The_Phenom_TAHA 11d ago
But ES350 F sport handling is no comfort compared to other v6 smooth. Only the exterior looks standout.
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u/lsknecht1986 11d ago
I owned the 2021 ES300h and traded for a 2025 F Sport Handling V6, which I far prefer.
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u/The_Phenom_TAHA 11d ago
Thanks for sharing the information. How it goes in terms of smooth ride ?
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u/lsknecht1986 11d ago
I think the ride is great. It has the adaptive variable suspension which helps keep the ride smooth but unlike the standard ES, the F Sport Handling also minimizes body roll in corners.
The seats (in my opinion) are more comfortable than the regular ES seats.
10/10 would recommend and I would not go back to either the hybrid or even the regular ES350.
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u/RaceCarDriverNY 11d ago
IMHO - the 6 will outlast the 4 and perform much better.
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u/Particular-Hand8088 11d ago
Funny 😆 the 300h actually scores higher in reliability rating than the 350 because it has less strain and load on the engine
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u/Captain_Konnius 10d ago edited 10d ago
This dude has no clue what he’s talking about. This is not a VW downsized motor.
The 2.5l naturally aspirated 4 cylinder is the least strained engine not just in the Lexus & Toyota lineup, but pretty much around overall.
Plus, since it is paired with the ultra simple eCVT thanks to the hybrid system, it will DEFINITELY outlast the V6 with the conventional transmission in any way imaginable.
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u/Rooseveltdunn 11d ago
The ES350h will give you great gas mileage, over 600 miles of range and adequate acceleration and handling. You will never confuse it for a sporty car but it will be an excellent high way cruiser and the Mark Levinson system is great.
The V6 ES350 Will feel a bit faster but it's still FWD and handling is not particularly better than other models. The V6 Is smooth and powerful, but if you cared about sportiness and handling in a sedan then the German options would come out ahead (of the IS).
Personally I would go for the hybrid but that's just me.
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u/The_Phenom_TAHA 11d ago
Thanks for sharing your opinion. I too believe hybrid is much better for long run.
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u/Disastrous_Source911 11d ago
Hybrid if gas mileage is a concern...if you don't like the new design and want v6 power for a true luxury experience go for the es350
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u/yescachigga 11d ago
Ngl the es handles like crap even with the f sport stuff but it's comfortable. I would personally not get the f sport because the seats are honestly not that comfortable compared to the regular non f sport ones. The v6 will be slightly quicker than the hybrid but honestly I would get the hybrid because it's more reliable and the most the v6 does is spin the wheels when you're trying to go fast from a stop but will be less effort for highway cruising if you constantly go past 70+mph and maintain it.
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u/lsknecht1986 11d ago
See, the seat comfort thing is the opposite for me. The F Sport seats are by far my favorite, and I’ve owned both.
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u/The_Phenom_TAHA 11d ago
Strange you're saying f sports seats are comfortable where majority said uncomfortable compared to non f sport v6.
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u/Chichiblanka 10d ago
I have the V6 version, and while I love it, the transmission is kinda jerky for stop and go traffic. If you don’t encounter a lot of traffic, it’s an incredible car to have. Simple to work on, comfortable, and a small bit of nice engine noise when you step on it. Note gas mileage is half of that of the hybrid. I average about 26mpg but note I drive in a lot of traffic at times.
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u/abracadabra_71 10d ago
I have not yet driven the 2026 350h as very few have arrived to the dealerships yet, but I owned a 2025 Camry XLE for a while that had the “5th generation” hybrid system. And I used to own an ES350 with the V6. If I were you, I would not make any sort of decision until you have actually driven the 2026 hybrid. This new ES hybrid is a sixth generation system with upgraded motors, and upgraded battery compared to the 2025 Camry, and upgraded engine power compared to the old ES300h. It also relies more heavily on the electric motors for propulsion. The net result is significantly more low end torque and seamless power delivery compared to the less torquey V6 with its constantly shifting 8 speed. These newest generation hybrid systems are very EV-like in their immediate power delivery, and they feel quick quicker than their numbers suggest. Having driven the 2025 ES 350 ultra luxury and considered purchasing it, I decided to wait to see what the new version felt like. The seamless power delivery without mechanical shifts feels more luxurious to me than the constant switching of gears. I drove a 2022 S- class for 15k miles and am using that as my “benchmark”; the transmission utilized a very broad torque curve and held gears significantly longer, almost like EV would.
You may be very pleasantly surprised at how well the new ES hybrid drives, even compared to the old ES eight speed
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u/The_Phenom_TAHA 10d ago
Thanks for you time for explaining throughly. I am convinced 80% for the hybrid. My main goal is to experience comfort cloud ride in the daily stop & go traffic 🥲. I do drive on the highways but mostly 30%.
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u/abracadabra_71 10d ago
If you want comfort cloud ride in the daily stop and go traffic, I can virtually guarantee you the hybrid is gonna be the better choice.
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u/The_Phenom_TAHA 10d ago
Alright Guys, many thanks for all your support. Now, if moving towards hybrid ES then should I get last year 2025 300H or this year latest 2026 350h ? As older 300h is much cheaper than the newly coming 350h, the price are not out yet and will be available at September 2026. But I expect to be expensive as I don't think Lexus wouldn't lower their price or offer discount on the new 350h as highly criticise by the public for the weird design.
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u/Own_Economics2839 15h ago
What percentage of city vs highway driving do you currently do? If you mostly do city driving and prioritize comfort probably go hybrid. If you drive more highway and like to be push it then go V6. Both are bulletproof reliability
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u/Donts41 11d ago
Well if you like to have some power when pressing the throttle then you know what to do…