2026 Lexus ES Review: Bigger, Bolder, But is It Better?

The Lexus ES has been a brand pillar since 1989, but the all-new, eighth-generation model brings a radical evolution. Reimagined from the ground up, the 2026 Lexus ES introduces bold styling and fully electric powertrains alongside its hybrid legacy. Is it the best ES yet, or is it fixing what wasn’t broken? Read our breakdown below and watch our full video review on YouTube to find out!

2026 Lexus ES Pricing and Trim Levels

Base MSRP figures increase by over $6,000 for 2026, with individual comparable trims up at least $3,000. Electric variants (350e/500e) are on sale now, while hybrids (350h) arrive at dealerships this June.

Trim Level	Starting MSRP	This trim is for buyers who…
350e Premium (Single-Motor EV / FWD)	$47,500	Value-conscious EV buyers wanting standard luxury.
350h Premium (6th-Gen Hybrid / FWD)	$49,800	Buyers prioritizing high efficiency (46 MPG) and maximum value.
500e Premium (Dual-Motor EV / AWD)	$50,500	Drivers wanting standard EV luxury paired with potent 338-HP all-wheel performance.
350h Premium+ (6th-Gen Hybrid / FWD)	$54,600	The hybrid “Sweet Spot” adding key tech upgrades like a HUD and 360 camera.
350e Luxury (Single-Motor EV / FWD)	$55,900	Open to the optional Executive Package; ideal for maximum cabin opulence.
500e Luxury (Dual-Motor EV / AWD)	$58,900	The absolute flagship configuration for buyers who want every single performance and luxury feature.

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Performance, Powertrain & CapabilitY

Drivetrain: Multi-platform options include a 6th-generation 2.5L inline-4 hybrid (350h), Single-Motor EV (350e), or Dual-Motor EV (500e).
Output: 244 HP (350h) | 221 HP (350e) | 338 HP (500e).
Drivetrain: FWD standard or optional AWD for $1,400 via an eCVT (350h); FWD standard (350e); Dual-motor AWD standard (500e). Performance 0-60 mph runs take 7.3/7.1 seconds for hybrids and a swift 5.1 seconds for the 500e.
Fuel Economy:

350h Hybrid: 48/44/46 MPG (FWD) | 47/42/44 MPG (AWD).
350e EV Range: 307 miles (19-inch wheels) | 292 miles (21-inch wheels).
500e EV Range: 276 miles (19-inch wheels) | 272 miles (21-inch wheels).
EV models natively adopt NACS charging, supporting 10-80% DC fast charging in 28 minutes via an 11 kW onboard charger.

Front three-quarter view of the 2026 Lexus ES in Wavelength light blue parked outdoors.

Close-up of the front fascia of a silver 2026 Lexus ES highlighting the body-colored spindle grille and LED Twin L-Signature headlamps.

Detailed close-up of the multi-spoke luxury alloy wheel on the 2026 Lexus ES.

Rear three-quarter view of a grey-blue 2026 Lexus ES showing the full-length LED taillamps and exhaust-free bumper layout.

Driver's side interior cabin view of the 2026 Lexus ES featuring Palomino tan leather seating, a digital gauge cluster, and a leather steering wheel.

Close-up of the 14-inch infotainment touchscreen display inside the 2026 Lexus ES showing the new multimedia interface menu.

Front three-quarter view of the all-new 2026 Lexus ES hybrid in white parked outdoors, showing the thin upper cooling grille.

Rear view of a white 2026 Lexus ES hybrid showcasing the clean bumper design and new full-width L-signature taillight bar.

Exterior Design

Lexus transitions its core sedan from modest to aggressive using styling cues from the LF-ZC Concept.

General Theme: A radical reimagining featuring full body-length dimensions (202.4 inches) and a raised ride height to comfortably accommodate the floor-mounted battery pack.
Trim Differences: Fully electric models utilize a body-colored Spindle Grille, while hybrids add a thin upper grille opening for powertrain cooling. F-Sport trims are currently unavailable.
Wheel Sizes: 19-inch alloy wheels are standard across the lineup, with optional 21-inch alloys exclusive to the 350e and 500e electric models.
Design Options: Introduces a new light blue Wavelength paint color. The rear updates include full-length taillamps with L-signature turn signals and a clean bumper layout with no exhaust cutouts.

Interior Tech & Luxury Highlights

The modernized cabin introduces a digital-first, ultra-premium experience with recessed door handles, standard smart entry, and a 3-year Remote Connect trial.

Infotainment: 14-inch touchscreen featuring the new Lexus Multimedia Interface (with an onscreen home button, split-screen layout, and quicker voice assistant) paired with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Audio System: Standard 10-speaker Lexus Audio setup, upgradable to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound system on Premium+ and Luxury trims.
Seating: Perforated NuLuxe (White, Black, Palomino) with 8-way power is standard. Luxury EVs upgrade to Semi-Aniline leather, soft-close doors, laser-etched Bamboo trim, and 10-way power adjustments. The optional $3,635 Executive Package (350e Luxury only) adds power rear seats with massaging, pillow headrests, and rear heating/ventilation.
Cargo Space: Standard power trunk lid opens to 13.3 cubic feet of storage space (down 0.6 cu. ft.). Rear folding seats and a spare tire are omitted.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Standard Suite: Debuts as the very first Lexus model equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, delivering comprehensive active safety features standard across all models.
Premium Tech: Advanced active systems—including Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, Intuitive Park Assist, and a 360-degree camera—are reserved for top-tier Premium+ and Luxury trims.

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Final Verdict: A Radical leap forward

The 2026 Lexus ES successfully sheds its conservative past to become a tech-focused powerhouse. It delivers exceptional powertrain diversity, combining a highly efficient 46 MPG hybrid option with the quickest factory ES ever built in the 338-HP electric 500e. While base price hikes are steep and the ride height is taller to clear the EV batteries, its executive cabin refinement and design help it easily stand out against segment rivals.