Lexus ES - Review, Specs, Pricing, Features, Videos and More

AutoGuide.com Staff
by AutoGuide.com Staff

The 2026 Lexus ES marks the introduction of the model’s eighth generation, transitioning the long-standing sedan into a multi-platform vehicle. Developed under the concept of "Experience Elegance and Electrified Sedan," the new ES is built on a redesigned TNGA GA-K platform engineered to support hybrid (HEV) and battery electric (BEV) powertrains. This redesign emphasizes a refined driving experience, focusing on the quietness and ride comfort traditionally associated with the nameplate while increasing structural rigidity to improve steering response and stability.

The exterior adopts a new design language, "Clean Tech x Elegance," inspired by the LF-ZC concept. It features a sleek, trunkless silhouette and a "spindle body" that evolves the brand’s signature front fascia. Inside, the cabin follows the tazuna concept, prioritizing a driver-focused layout with a 14-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch multi-information display. To enhance passenger space, the wheelbase has been extended by 3 inches, and the overall length has increased by approximately 6.5 inches.

Pros

Powertrain variety, Enhanced rear luxury, Advanced safety tech, Improved interior space and Charging convenience

Cons

Range limitations, Polarizing design, Modest electric performance, Increased cabin complexity

Bottom Line

The Lexus ES is a fully reimagined eighth-generation luxury sedan that balances its traditional reputation for serene comfort with a bold shift toward electrification, now offering both a refined hybrid system and the model's first-ever battery-electric powertrains.

What’s New for 2026

The 2026 model year introduces several significant firsts for the ES lineup:

  • First-Ever BEV Models: The lineup now includes the ES 350e (FWD) and the ES 500e (AWD). The ES 500e features the DIRECT4 intelligent all-wheel-drive system.
  • Charging and Range: BEV models adopt a NACS charging port, capable of a 10% to 80% DC fast charge in approximately 30 minutes. The ES 350e offers a manufacturer-estimated range of 300 miles.
  • Executive Package: For the first time in North America, an Executive Package is available on the ES 350e Luxury, featuring reclining rear seats with a passenger-side ottoman and massaging functions.
  • Advanced Safety: The ES is the first model to receive Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, featuring updated hardware and detection capabilities.
  • Design Details: The exterior introduces "Twin L-Signature Lamps" and a new "Wavelength" paint option. The interior features 3D-printed Bamboo Layering and an updated Lexus Interface with native navigation integrated into the digital gauge cluster.


For complete Lexus ES350 Trade in Values, see our detailed list here.

2023 Lexus ES 300h F Sport Handling Review

There’s no direct way to get to Road America.

The famed Wisconsin racetrack resides in Elkhart Lake, about halfway between Green Bay and Milwaukee. For most, traveling to Road America involves either flying into Milwaukee or Chicago, and then driving north.

As the location of the annual Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, I need to get to America’s national park of speed, Road America. With greater flight flexibility, I chose Chicago’s O’Hare airport as my starting point for my journey northward. Upon landing I was greeted with my ride for the week, a 2023 Lexus ES 300h F Sport Handling. That’s a lot of letters and words crammed together, but each does have meaning behind the exact spec of car I’m driving.

Read the full review here


2023 Lexus ES 300h F Sport Review

Driving the 2023 Lexus ES 300h F Sport is like catching up with an old friend after a long spell and not missing a beat.

We last hung out almost exactly three years ago. I don’t need to tell you a lot has changed since. Yet the hybrid version of Lexus‘ standard-bearer sedan is a familiar presence.

That’s not to say the Japanese company has let this four-door stagnate. It’s become smarter, with a vastly improved infotainment system and better standard safety kit. With the F Sport trim available on the ES 300h since last year, it’s gone to the gym, too—or at least bought a bright pair of Nikes for the trip there. Despite the looks, this is still a big luxury sedan that puts comfort at the top of the priority list, and that makes it an appealing all-rounder.

Click Here to Read the Full Article


Toyota Crown vs Lexus ES: Which Luxury Sedan is Right for You?

The Toyota Crown is a car unlike any others on the market. But there’s a family rivalry brewing. For the best luxury bang for your buck, we’re looking at the Toyota Crown vs Lexus ES.

The Toyota Crown is a wholly different proposition than the Avalon that came before. A sort of crossover between a sedan and an actual crossover, this vertically stretched sedan sits as the flagship of Toyota’s car lineup. Available only as a hybrid (including a new, more powerful setup in the top Platinum trim), it certainly can’t be accused of blending in.

For similar money, you can get a luxurious four-door in a more conventional shape. Lexus has been cranking out the ES for 30 years now, and the latest one continues what it does best: smooth, nonplussed transport in a spacious, comfortable cabin. There are similarities—not least of which is the shared chassis both cars ride on—but the ES differs from the young upstart in a few key ways.

Which one better suits your needs? We take a deep dive into both cars’ specs to figure that one out.

Click Here to Read the Review


Competitors


Detailed Specs

Price

$48,795- $57,195

Engine

2.5-liter 4-cylinder + hybrid / Single Motor / Dual Motor

Power

243 hp / 220 hp / 338 hp

Torque

Not yet announced

Drivetrain

FWD / FWD / AWD

Transmission

CVT / eAxle

Fuel Economy (city/hwy)

TBD

Cargo Capacity

TBD



Our Final Verdict

Lexus ES

Overall

4.0

Performance7.0
Features8.0
Comfort9.0
Quality and Styling8.0
Value8.0
AutoGuide.com Staff
AutoGuide.com Staff

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