On Earth Day, I’ve got a story to share that’s fun, informative and right on time for the season ahead when many will take to the open road for a little R&R–be it a quick weekend getaway, or full fledged vacation. Either way, I’ve got the  perfect whip to get you there at a fraction of the cost in gas that you’re used to spending: The 2013 Lexus ES 300h…with the “h” representing “hybrid.”

Since back in the day when Skip was a puppy, Lexus, the high end of Toyota–whose Prius is the poster child for hybrid engine vehicle technology and sales, has offered the combination fuel efficient/emission friendly gas and battery powered vehicles we call hybrids in several of it’s vehicles, including the flagship LS, the GS, and the RX SUV. Then in 2010, the brand introduced its first dedicated hybrid model–the Lexus CT. But not until now has the corporation’s award winning hybrid technology been available in the Lexus ES, which is perhaps THE best selling vehicle in the Lexus brand.

What does it mean? How about this: I drove from Atlanta, Georgia, for a weekend getaway to the Sandestin Wine Festival–a five hour trek of approximately 400 miles each way–on a tank and a quarter of gas. And mind you, that’s regular unleaded with the manufacturer’s blessing. So we’re talking about $75 (round trip), to roll in style, with a lot of eyes looking, for one or up to four adult passengers comfortably seated. How’s that for a happy Earth Day!

As for looks, the ES has always scored well–with the exception of the 4th generation, during model years 2002-2006. It was just something about the design of the 4th generation that in the words of Looney Tunes character Elmer Fudd, “wubbed me da wong way!” But the follow-up to it in 2007 was sure enough a winner. It let to the current generation, arriving in 2012 with the brand’s new signature spindle grill and a few more angles to sleeken the look, which was refreshed in 2013 with LED daytime running lights. And God help you if you’re trying to sell yourself as a luxury brand or vehicle and don’t have LED DRL’s. Even the low end brands trying to compete with an upscale look have been featuring LED DRL’s for years now. And fortunately, Lexus is the pack leader among all other  Japanese luxury car manufacturers when it comes to LED DRL’s. Their entire lineup comes LED DRL ready! So what’s Acura and Infiniti are waiting for?

The ES 300h has all of the basics features traditionally known to luxury car owners and drivers, as well as a few new ones such as push to start, a keyless entry and lock system from any door handle when the key fab in close proximity. Incoming messages (SMS/text and emails) from your handheld device can be read to you or by you on, which is another great modern day convenience. But other features such as rain sensing wipers to to determine when the wipers should come on/remain on and at what speed, as well as lane keep assist (to alert the driver that he/she is departing their respective lane), and even some safety related collision avoidance features offered on the brand’s more expensive siblings—are not available on the $38,850 ES 300h. Perhaps the most missed of all during my five hour drive was an adaptive cruise control feature and seats that cooled, versus just heated–which it has for front row passengers.

Under the hood of the ES 300h’s dual gasoline and battery powered motoring are a total of 200 horses. In comparison to the ES 350’s gasoline only engine with a 268 horses under the hood and a fuel economy rating of 24 miles per gallon (combined city/highway), versus the  ES 300h’s 40 miles per gallon–the only time you’re likely to notice a difference in power is when driving in the “Eco” mode, which is where I stayed while at cruising speeds on the highway. But when the time came to pass or cut through traffic (and always while driving through city traffic),  I’d flip the selector’s options of Eco / Normal / Sport—one twist to the right and enter Sport driving mode. The difference in throttle control and handling is felt immediately, producing the type of fly guy effect we don’t theoretically associate with driving a hybrid. That’s why I can’t wait to tell you all about the GS 450h. So stay tuned  for that.

Meanwhile, if normal will never do for you, I hope to have opened your eyes to the possibility of owning a hot whip for under $40K, with an annual fuel cost of about $1,300 (with gas at $3.45 per gallon, driving approximately 15,000 miles). So say goodbye to the days when hybrids were all pretty much quirky looking cars that lacked pizzaz…the kind you’d NEVER be seen in!

Stay tuned for more surprisingly fuel efficient vehicles in time for road trip season…