Lexus has announced the manufacturer's suggested retail prices for the 2013 ES 350 and for its newly-introduced hybrid version, the ES 300h. Both models will be available in dealers next month.
The ES 350 is seeing a decrease in price of 1.7 percent to $36,100. The ES 300h, at $38,850, is $2,750 more. This represents a lower hybrid premium than buyers experience with the CT, RX, GS, and LS hybrids.
The hybrid's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder 200-horsepower Atkinson-cycle engine is expected to earn 40 miles per gallon city and 39 highway.
The ES 350 has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with Dual VVT-I that delivers 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700, and miles per gallon of 21 city and 31 highway.
The model continues with its electronically controlled 6-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).
The ES 300h and the ES 350 both include a drive mode selector. In addition to normal mode, the driver has a choice of Eco mode, which enhances fuel economy, and sport mode, which amps up powertrain and steering responsiveness.
The ES 300h's mode selector also has an EV mode, which allows the engine to use only the power from the hybrid battery pack. The car can travel short distances in this mode, at a reduced speed.
Standard in the 2013 ES are 10 airbags, and a sound system featuring eight speakers with "Automatic Sound Levelizer", an in-dash CD player, and USB/iPod connectivity.
There is a long list of options that can be had in either ES model.
Instead of the eight-speaker system, buyers can opt for a 15-speaker 835-watt Mark Levinson audio system with an eight-inch display screen and DVD audio/video.
Options also include a blind spot monitor, an integrated lane departure alert with automatic high beam dimming, and a pre-collision radar system.
Available services include roadside assistance, an emergency assistance button, stolen vehicle location services, and automatic collision notification, all offered with a one-year trial subscription.
An integrated SiriusXM Satellite Radio receiver is offered with a 90-day trial subscription.
The ES has available an audio display package with a seven-inch screen and HD radio with iTunes tagging, Bluetooth, automatic phone book transfer, a vehicle information display, and a rear backup camera.
There is also an optional HDD navigation system with voice command, an integrated backup camera, an eight-inch screen, and the next-generation Lexus Enform system with App Suite. This system allows connectivity with Bing, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable, Pandora, Yelp, and Facebook Places through compatible smart phones. News apps and content can be updated as they become available through over-the-air downloads.
Buyers who opt for the system receive with it a one-year subscription to Lexus Enform with App Suite.
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