The 2026 Lexus ES is a landmark car for the brand: the eighth generation of Lexus’s long-running luxury sedan launches, for the first time ever, exclusively electrified — and the first models to reach dealers are its first-ever battery-electric ES variants. Built on a new multi-pathway platform (a Lexus first) that houses both EV and hybrid versions in one body, the new ES wears styling inspired by the rakish LF-ZC concept and grows in every dimension. The all-electric range opens with the front-drive ES 350e (221 hp, up to 307 miles EPA) and tops out with the dual-motor AWD ES 500e (338 hp, 0–60 in 5.1s), both with a native NACS charging port. A new ES 350h hybrid follows later in the year. Pricing starts at $48,895.
Performance & Powertrains
The new ES launches with two battery-electric versions sharing a 74.7 kWh battery. The ES 350e uses a single 221 hp front motor (FWD), good for 307 miles of EPA range on 19-inch wheels (292 on 21s) and 0–60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The flagship ES 500e adds a 118 hp rear motor for 338 hp combined, Lexus’s DIRECT4 all-wheel drive, and a brisk 5.1-second 0–60, with up to 276 miles of range. Both charge 10–80% in about 27–28 minutes at up to 150 kW and — significantly — ship with a native NACS port plus a CCS adapter for access to 76,000+ stations. The ES 350h hybrid arriving later pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with Lexus’s sixth-generation hybrid system, available in AWD. It’s a clean break: for the first time, every ES is electrified.
| ES 350e | 221 hp, FWD, single motor |
|---|---|
| ES 500e | 338 hp, AWD DIRECT4, dual motor |
| Battery | 74.7 kWh |
| Range (EPA) | 307 mi (350e) / 276 mi (500e) |
| 0–60 mph | 7.4 s / 5.1 s |
| DC charging | up to 150 kW, 10–80% ~27 min |
| Charge port | NACS (+ CCS adapter) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | BEV (350e/500e) + hybrid (350h) |
|---|---|
| ES 350e | 221 hp, FWD, 0–60 7.4 s |
| ES 500e | 338 hp, AWD DIRECT4, 0–60 5.1 s |
| BATTERY | 74.7 kWh |
| RANGE (EPA) | 307 mi (350e) / 276 mi (500e) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | up to 150 kW, 10–80% ~27 min |
| CHARGE PORT | NACS (+ CCS adapter) |
| PRICE | $48,895–$60,295 |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Wheelbase | +3.1 in vs previous ES |
|---|---|
| Body | Lower, rakish sedan |
| Seating | 5 |
| Wheels | 19″ / 21″ |
| Drive | FWD (350e) / AWD (500e) |
| Platform | Multi-pathway (EV + hybrid) |
The eighth-generation ES grows notably — the wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than the outgoing car, and the body is lower and sleeker, trading the old ES’s formal three-box look for a fastback-influenced, LF-ZC-inspired profile. That extra length translates to a more spacious rear seat, traditionally an ES strong suit for the chauffeur-and-comfort crowd. It seats five, rides on 19- or 21-inch wheels, and the EV’s flat floor frees up cabin space. Inside, the dashboard is dominated by a wide central touchscreen and Lexus’s latest minimalist design, with the brand’s usual focus on hushed refinement and material quality.
| WHEELBASE | +3.1 in vs previous ES |
|---|---|
| SEATING | 5 |
| WHEELS | 19-inch / 21-inch |
| BODY STYLE | Low, rakish luxury sedan |
| PLATFORM | Multi-pathway (BEV + HEV) |
| DRIVE | FWD (350e) / AWD DIRECT4 (500e) |
Design, Interior & Technology
The new ES is the clearest production expression yet of Lexus’s next design era, drawn from the LF-ZC concept: a low nose, a tapered fastback roofline, flush detailing and a full-width rear light bar with illuminated “LEXUS” lettering. The EV and hybrid look near-identical — only badging and minor aero details separate them — which is the point of the shared multi-pathway body. Inside, Lexus leans into calm minimalism: a wide central display, a clean dashboard, ambient lighting and the marque’s signature attention to quietness and material finish. The longer wheelbase notably benefits rear-seat space, keeping the ES true to its comfort-first, near-luxury-flagship character — now in electric form.
How It Compares
Verdict
- First-ever electric ES — a genuine milestone, EV-first launch
- Up to 307 miles EPA; 338 hp DIRECT4 AWD flagship
- Native NACS port + CCS adapter — easy charging access
- Choice of EV or hybrid on one platform
- Longer wheelbase boosts the signature rear-seat comfort
- Sharp LF-ZC-inspired styling; from a competitive $48,895
- 307-mile range trails the best EV sedans (~360 mi)
- 150 kW peak charging is modest vs 800V rivals
- Comfort-first tuning won’t satisfy keen drivers
- Hybrid 350h not available until later in the year
- Full MPGe/efficiency and EU specs still firming up
- Lexus badge cachet trails BMW/Mercedes for some buyers
The 2026 ES is the most significant Lexus sedan in years — not because it reinvents the formula, but because it finally electrifies it. Launching EV-first, with a first-ever battery-electric ES offering up to 307 miles, 338 hp in DIRECT4 AWD flagship form, and a native NACS port, Lexus has modernised its comfort-luxury staple without losing what made it appealing: a quiet, beautifully finished cabin and a now-roomier rear seat. It won’t out-range a Tesla or out-corner a BMW, and the quickest charging belongs to 800V rivals. But at $48,895 to start, with the reassurance of a hybrid option on the same platform for those not ready to go fully electric, the new ES is a smart, broadly appealing entry into the luxury-EV-sedan space — and proof that Lexus is finally serious about going electric.
