6 big changes as the luxury icon goes electric

The Lexus ES has long been the cornerstone of the Japanese luxury brand, a sedan defined by its elegance, comfort and sporty driving dynamics. Lexus fans may remember how the ES arrived alongside the flagship LS in 1989, and over the past three decades it has built a reputation for offering buyers premium treatment at a competitive starting MSRP.

Here’s a quick look at starting MSRPs by trim level for the 2026 Lexus ES. The table below includes the $1,295 destination charge.

Now entering their eighth generation, the 2026 Lexus ES 350e and ES 500e represent a “multi-way” pivot for the brand. Lexus uses a unique architecture that supports battery-electric, internal combustion and hybrid powertrains simultaneously in an effort to cater to a wide range of buyers.

From its cocoon-shaped rear seat to its advanced all-wheel-drive system, here are the six main things to know about the 2026 Lexus ES.

6

New 100% electric ES

Lexus RZ DIRECT4 AWD system

The big headline for 2026 is the arrival of the ES BEV (battery electric vehicle), the first of its kind for the long-standing Lexus brand. The two electric models share a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery positioned under the floor to lower the center of gravity, but they use different eAxle configurations to define their character.

The ES 350e is a front-wheel-drive model with a single 221-horsepower permanent-magnet synchronous motor with an EPA-estimated range of 307 miles (19-inch wheels). That range drops to 292 miles with 21-inch wheels.

On the other hand, the ES 500e adds a second 118-horsepower motor to the rear axle, bringing total system output to 338 horsepower. It borrows the DIRECT4 AWD system from the Lexus RZ, which can instantly transfer torque between the front and rear wheels in ratios ranging from 100:0 to 0:100.

When launching from a stop, the system automatically targets a 60:40 to 40:60 split to ensure the feeling of linear acceleration that Lexus owners know and expect.

5

Multi-path engineering

New suspension change

Credit: Lexus

As noted a moment ago, Lexus is using a new platform supporting a wide range of powertrains for the 2026 ES. This evolution of the brand’s famous TNGA-K architecture is the reinvention of a platform that has underpinned a generation of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Here is what emerges:

• Reinforced rigidity: To handle the instantaneous torque of the electric motors and the weight of the 74.7 kWh battery, Lexus has significantly increased rigidity at the front, floor and rear. This reinforced structure is designed to reduce body vibrations and improve handling. No one masters torsional rigidity like Lexus, something the world saw more than a decade ago with the reveal of the LC 500.

• Modification of the suspensions: For the first time in ES history, Lexus has adopted a multi-link rear suspension to provide greater “posture control” during dynamic driving.

• Hybrid models: The upcoming 2026 ES 350h uses the same platform and shares the same overall design as the electric models. The sixth-generation gas-electric hybrid system features an integrated eAxle, combining the power control unit and transaxle into a more compact and lightweight unit. Hybrids can be optioned with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

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4

Last growth spurt

More space for drivers and passengers

Luxury is often defined by the space you inhabit, and the 2026 ES has grown considerably. Built on a 3.1-inch longer wheelbase, the new ES is 6.5 inches longer and 2.2 inches wider than the previous generation. Lexus has used every inch to rethink the passenger experience:

• The numbers: Rear passengers benefit from 1.4 inches of additional legroom, while front-seat occupants benefit from 1.9 inches of hip extension. Even headroom sees an increase, with gains of 0.8 inches in the front and 0.4 inches in the rear.

• Higher hip points: Lexus has raised the hip points of the front and rear seats. Combined with an increase in overall height of up to 4.5 inches, the higher hip points will make entering and exiting the 2026 ES easier.

• Start of Num Lock: The ES comes standard with an electronic door unlock system for the first time. On Luxury trims, Lexus adds what it calls a soft-close feature, a fancy way of saying that the doors close automatically if left slightly open or only partially closed.

3

New executive package

Enter the passengers’ “cocoon”

Credit: Lexus

The Executive Package, exclusive to the ES 350e Luxury, transforms the rear seat into a premium sanctuary. Here is what the package includes:

• Asymmetrical luxury: Power settings are not identical on both sides. While the driver’s side rear seat has two-way power adjustment, the passenger’s side “throne” is a four-way power-adjustable unit that includes a recline function and a deployable ottoman.

• Thematic air conditioning: The Executive Package adds a multi-zone automatic climate control system with controls integrated directly into the center armrest. This allows rear passengers to manage their own heating and cooling.

• Additional connectivity and comfort: Executive Package adds two additional USB-C ports for the rear seat, bringing the total to five inside the ES. Additional USB ports are paired with specially contoured headrests for long-distance comfort.

Guarantee

5-year warranty on tools, up to 3 years warranty on batteries.

What is included

M12 impact driver, hammer drill, 3/8″ ratchet, charger, two batteries

If you’re looking for a great DIY starter kit from Milwaukee, this M12 3-Tool Combo Kit is for you. With an impact driver, hammer drill, and 3/8-inch ratchet, plus a 4 Ah and 2 Ah battery, this kit is a great starting point for projects at home and on your vehicle.

2

Standard NACS loading

Battery preconditioning available

Credit: Lexus

The 2026 Lexus ES features a North American Charging System (NACS) port, allowing owners to access the Tesla Supercharger network.

According to Lexus, under ideal conditions, the 2026 ES BEV can go from 10% to 80% charge in approximately 28 minutes using DC fast charging with speeds of up to 150 kW. An integrated 11 kW AC charger provides Level 2 home charging in approximately seven hours.

A dual-voltage AC charging cable is also included that supports 120V Level 1 and 240V Level 2 inputs. Whether you’re at a hotel or at a friend’s house, this standardized cable effectively turns any outlet into a usable power source.

Here are some other highlights:

• CSC bridge: Lexus includes a CCS to NACS plug adapter with every 2026 ES BEV, providing native access to more than 76,000 public charging stations nationwide.

• Intelligent battery preconditioning: To ensure faster charging, the ES has a thermal management system that can be activated via the touchscreen or automatically when a public charger is set as a destination in cloud navigation. Like the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, the battery preconditioning system requires an active Drive Connect subscription.

• Simple connection and charging: With an active Remote Connect subscription, the ES 2026 supports Lexus Plug & Charge. You can simply tune into a compatible station and go. The ES automatically handles the handshake and payment.

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1

Digital-first interior

Principle of “horse reins”

Credit: Lexus

The interior represents what Lexus calls its Clean Tech x Elegance design language. Based on the Tazuna (“reins of a horse”) principle, the dashboard includes a 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

To maintain a clean appearance, the climate controls are housed on a touch panel with backlit switches that remain invisible until the vehicle is powered on. It’s a little touch that’s reminiscent of the LS 430 from the early 2000s.

In a first for Lexus, Luxury trims feature Bamboo Layering and an advanced 3D printing technique that creates a layered effect on the door panels. The bamboo overlay synchronizes with the Lexus themed ambient lighting system to create a three-dimensional visual effect.

Lexus has a winning formula

The 2026 Lexus ES proves that by switching to an electric vehicle, you don’t have to sacrifice the winning formula that made previous generations of the ES one of the most comfortable and reliable cars on the road. By offering a larger, more refined cabin and the option of a hybrid powertrain, Lexus hopes the ES will remain the gold standard for the modern luxury car buyer.