Lexus arrived on the scene in 1989 with two new vehicles ready to compete in the luxury world: the LS and the ES. Flash forward nearly four decades and the ES not only survives, it thrives. The brand is making sure it continues to do so with the new model for 2026.
The 2026 Lexus ES is among the best offerings in the midsize luxury segment, especially now that it’s available as a hybrid and a full battery-electric model.
Headlight.News traveled to San Diego to get some time behind the wheel and can confirm, it’s still among the best offerings in the segment, especially now that it’s available as a hybrid and a full battery-electric model. New for this year also is the car’s digital interface, including a 14-inch touchscreen.
The next-generation ES is also the largest version of the sedan and with the end of the LS near, it will become the flagship sedan for the brand, although several Lexus officials were quick with the phrase, “The ES is just the ES.” However, it’s more than that since it’s been designed to meet the needs of buyers around the globe.
In addition to the two drivetrain options, each offers multiple trim levels. The hybrid can be had in Premium, Luxury or Executive while the BEV is available in Premium and Luxury trims.
Looking the part
And here in the U.S., bigger is almost always better and the ES delivers on that front. It started life in the compact segment and is now clearly a midsize offering and one of the larger ones at that. Fortunately, the company’s designers made good use of the extra length to give it some real gravitas.
The next-generation ES is also the largest version of the sedan.
Since the hybrid and all-electric models essentially share a platform — there are some minor differences so they’re not exactly the same vehicle — they won’t have to compromise looks to get the powertrain they want.
And it looks good, courtesy of sleek designed inspired by the Lexus LF-ZC concept from recent memory. It also borrows a styling cue many companies are adopting now by incorporating the letter “L” into parts of the exterior. The nose of both versions features L-shaped LED running lights bracketing the dual headlights, accenting the slippery profile of the ES.
The design team took great care to give the new ES a sculpted it look without making it look too angular. Since the new models sit higher, giving it some athletic lines was important to ensure it looked the part of a luxurious, but not bloated midsize sedan. Also the new model spells out the brand name on the rear of trunk lid to avoid confusion, and it illuminates at night to ensure everyone knows what brand you’re driving. The logo on the front grille and fascia also lights up.
Bigger body
The Lexus ES 350h is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder as well as up to three electric motors.
The 2026 ES models feature a 3.1-inch-longer wheelbase than its seventh-generation sedan, as well as an additional 2.2 inches of width, 6.5 inches in length, and 4.5 inches. Front-seat headroom is up by 0.8 inches, rear seat headroom by 0.4 inches, and rear-seat legroom increases by 1.4 inches.
Front-seat shoulder room grows by 1.6 inches while front-seat hip room expands by 1.9 inches. It’s amazing what happens to the available space when you eliminate a transmission tunnel. Overall, the available space inside the cabin is significant and you can feel it not only once you’re inside the vehicle, but also when getting in and out of both versions with their larger door openings.
The larger frame is important not only in the U.S. but also in other countries, such as China, where luxury cars are used to ferry around top executives. In fact, the hybrid version offers an executive package where the rear passenger seat reclines and features a large ottoman to allow someone to relax or get some work done from a more comfortable seating position. That seat is not only heated and cooled — as all the seats in the ES are — but also offers a massage function.
With a bigger body comes the opportunity to offer spaciousness not only physically, but with large windows and a panoramic sunroof, the cabin is filled with light lending an air of sophistication to the interior space.
The ES electric versions feature the Tesla-inspired NACS charging ports and can go from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes using a fast charger.
Performance numbers
If you’re going to offer a bigger vehicle, it’s important to ensure the performance numbers are there, and Lexus has succeeded on this front.
Lexus officials note every 2026 ES 350h uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine combined with a starter generator, a front motor generator, and an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to power the front wheels. For 2026, the engine’s output increases from 176 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque to 186 hp and 173 lb-ft, while the motor generator’s output increases from 118 hp and 149 lb-ft of torque to 201 hp and 199 lb-ft.
For drivers who want all-wheel drive, a third motor is added to make that possible. All-wheel-drive ES 350hs’ effective front-to-rear torque distribution “can be varied between 100:0 and 20:80. This distribution is informed by vehicle wheel speed, acceleration and steering angle sensor information.”
Larger than ever, the cabin of the ES enjoys more space than ever as well.
The end result is a hybrid powertrain putting out a net combined 244 hp for the front-wheel and all-wheel drive models. This makes the 46 mpg combined fuel economy rating for FWD and 44 mpg combined for AWD all the more impressive for the hybrid.
The electric version features a 74.7-kWh battery with a range as high as 307 miles for the 350e on a full charge. The 500e tops out at 272 miles. Charging from 10% to 80% using a high-speed charger the new Tesla-inspired NACS charge port occurs in about 30 minutes. With the 221-hp 350e, the zero-to-60 mph time happens in 7.4 seconds; however, move up to the 338-hp 500e and you get that done in 5.1 seconds.
While many might expect something in the 4-second range — or faster even — the current number is impressive and doesn’t require you spend at least one day a week having your neck adjusted by your favorite chiropractor.
Final numbers
The new ES is already appearing in dealer showrooms, but it’ll be a staged roll out. The hybrid will arrive first with a starting price of $51,095, which includes the handling fee. Move to the top-of-the-line 350h Premium+ AWD and the number jumps to $57,295. For those looking for an all-electric experience, the 350e Premium begins at $48,895, again including the handling fee. Move up the 500e Luxury AWD and that figure rises to $60,295.
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