The Lexus ES EV barely beat its range estimate in the real world, but falls short of rivals

The all-electric Lexus ES 350e achieved a real-world range of 300 miles, slightly exceeding its EPA estimate of 292 miles. This performance, however, places it behind several key competitors in the luxury electric sedan market. For instance, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, tested under similar conditions, delivered 333 miles, and the BMW i4 eDrive40 achieved 290 miles, though the Lexus still outperformed the i4's EPA rating of 301 miles. The Lexus ES 350e's real-world efficiency was measured at 3.6 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is lower than the 4.1 miles/kWh of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and the 3.7 miles/kWh of the BMW i4 eDrive40. The testing was conducted by Consumer Reports, which uses a standardized methodology involving a controlled loop on their test track and public roads, simulating a mix of highway and city driving. The vehicle's battery capacity is 72 kWh, and its EPA rating for efficiency was 4 miles/kWh. The Lexus ES 350e is part of Toyota's broader electrification strategy, though it is a standalone EV model rather than a hybrid, which has been a more common powertrain for the brand. The ES 350e's limited range and efficiency compared to its rivals suggest potential areas for improvement in future iterations.