2026 Lexus ES EV Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Not only is the 2026 Lexus ES redesigned for 2026, it also seems to have been completely rethought. With the discontinuation of the full-sized LS, the ES is now the largest sedan in the Lexus lineup, and it's also larger than the previous generation. It grows 6.5 inches longer, 2.2 inches wider, and 4.5 inches taller, making it closer in size to the LS than the previous ES.

Styling-wise, the new ES is more modern and sleek, with faceted and beveled edges replacing the previous curves. Up front, the sharply pointed LED accent lights have a slight family resemblance to the last generation, though the actual headlights are tucked just below in a black plastic section at the corners. Lexus' signature spindle grille is present in a hint of its shape, but it's mostly blocked off and more flattened.

The profile view is fairly clean, helped by recessed door handles and a sweeping rear roofline that suggests it could be a hatchback instead of having a traditional trunk. The black plastic accents are present in the window surrounds and lower side sills, but an angular section that runs from the base of the doors upwards seems a bit out of place. We might find it less jarring if it were body colored instead, but at least in darker paint colors, it's less prominent.

Around back, the angular theme continues, with faceted shapes that tie into the front styling. A taillight bar spans the width of the trunk, helping to slim down some of the visual heaviness. In the bottom corners of the bumper, L-shaped signal lights add some pizzazz, and this design element will be making its way into future Lexus vehicles.

The ES interior undergoes a similarly drastic remodel, with a simpler overall design. The previous curvy swoops in the dashboard have been replaced by a terraced and horizontal structure that seems to have inundated the industry. While it's modern and clean, it tends to lack personality, but it makes up for it with noticeably improved materials.

The entry-level Premium trim features Lexus' NuLuxe synthetic leather upholstery, while the top Luxury trim we drove upgraded to premium leather. That trim further benefits from layered bamboo dressings in the door panels that are pleasing to the touch and add some interior warmth. Underneath, it's solidly constructed with no squeaks, creaks, or wobbles, marking a noticeable improvement over some other Lexus vehicles we've driven.

In another indication that the ES is assuming the LS's top luxury role is the option for a rear-seat Executive package. Reclining rear seats with an ottoman, ventilation, and massage functions have typically been reserved for flagship luxury vehicles. This option isn't as pricey as its European counterparts, and its business-class feel will certainly make long trips seem much shorter.

The 2026 Lexus ES is available in either hybrid or all-electric versions. The EVs are split into two models, starting with the ES 350e. It features a single 221-horsepower motor driving the front wheels, fed by a 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack in the floor. By Lexus' estimate, it should accelerate to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and return 307 miles of range on a single charge. There's also the ES 500e with a second motor driving the rear wheels. Combined, this all-wheel drive model produces 338 hp and should reach 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Range drops to 276 miles, though.

Both models come with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port, and the ES is capable of DC fast charging at rates as high as 150 kW. Under ideal conditions, you should be able to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 28 minutes. Adapters for the common CCS and J1772 ports are included, as is a dual-voltage charge cable.

We spent our time behind the wheel of the ES 350e and while its specs aren't anything to brag about, it still performed admirably. It feels quicker than it is, thanks to the immediate power delivery that EVs are known for, yet it's not as jumpy right off the line. Lexus aimed to deliver a driving experience that is similar to a conventional gas-powered sedan, and we think it succeeded.

The only problem that results is the lack of one-pedal driving. The engineers claimed this was partly to alleviate the likelihood of causing motion sickness in passengers, and to further drive that point home, there's also a comfort drive mode that dulls pedal responses for a smoother ride. We've been driving EVs for over a decade, and while we admit one-pedal driving isn't for everyone, we're still surprised and disappointed when a carmaker won't even give us the option.

On the road, it's clear the ES is tuned for comfort, and with the added size and a curb weight approaching 5,000 pounds, it again crosses over into LS territory. Road imperfections are smoothed over, and the cabin remains pleasantly quiet over a variety of pavement surfaces. The suspension isn't overly soft, though, and having the heavy battery low in the floor helps to keep body roll in check. On a curvy road, the ES feels well settled and very controllable, but at no time did we feel the urge to explore its handling potential like some European sedans.

The 2026 Lexus ES gains 1.4 inches in rear-passenger legroom and 0.4 inches in headroom, though you're not likely to notice since the accommodations were already notably spacious. There's an overabundance of legroom, allowing for plenty of space to stretch out, but average-sized adults might be close to the limit for headroom. Those occupants should also pay close attention to the low, sloping roofline to avoid bumping their heads on entry or exit.

The optional Executive package definitely enhances the premium luxury feel, and unlike similar rear-seat options, it doesn't eliminate the center passenger position. A center armrest with a touchscreen controller folds down like a center console, yet can be stowed if you need to accommodate another passenger. The passenger-side seat can be fully reclined with a deployable ottoman, while the front passenger seat folds out of the way. The massage function could stand to be more aggressive, but just having it is a bonus on a road trip.

Behind the rear seats, the trunk can hold up to 18.3 cubic feet of cargo, which is big for an all-electric midsize luxury sedan. The space is wide and deep, with a fairly low liftover height to make loading bulkier objects easier. Underneath the floor is a shallow bin that should be large enough for the charge cable. Unfortunately, the rear seatbacks do not fold to provide additional cargo capacity, but there is at least a center pass-through to accommodate longer objects. Helping matters is a standard hands-free power trunk lid.

For smaller personal items, the ES has adequate, but not generous, storage. Up front, you have moderately sized cupholders, small door pockets, and a large center armrest bin that features a double-hinged lid for easy driver or passenger access. There's also a small tray under the center console and a wireless phone charger, but that charger's hard plastic surface doesn't keep your phone from sliding around.

Standard tech features for all 2026 ES models include a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. It runs on Lexus' latest operating system and adds an on-screen shortcut button to quickly access the home screen. The display is bright with sharp graphics, making it easy to read in any lighting condition. Swiping to the right brings up a section of customizable widgets for your commonly used features, while wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

The native infotainment system is well executed, with logical menus and quick responses, though we still prefer the seamless integration that Apple CarPlay delivers. It's especially notable with this system because many more CarPlay tiles can be displayed at one time, reducing the amount of swiping needed to find your particular app. A wireless phone charger is also included, and a secondary pad is available as an option. As much as we prefer Apple CarPlay, the native Lexus navigation will likely prove more helpful on longer road trips. It features map integration with EV chargers along your route to help plan stops to replenish the battery.

The standard audio system has 10 speakers, satellite radio, and Spotify streaming. Luxury trims graduate to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system that sounds great in the crypt-like silence of the cabin. All ES EVs also come with a multi-camera driver recorder that acts like a surround-view dashcam. It can record on a continuous loop and also save incidents where a safety feature was activated.

At the time of writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published crash test results for the 2026 Lexus ES. All models come with the Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 suite of advanced safety features and driver assists. These include frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure mitigation, lane centering, a traffic sign reader, and automatic high beams.

Proactive Driving Assist is also included, but we tend to disable it as soon as we get behind the wheel. It uses radar and map data to automatically slow the vehicle as it approaches turns and accelerate as the road straightens. In theory, it sounds like a highway driving assist equivalent, but in practice, it's far too intrusive and conservative in its driving style.

Opting for the Luxury trim adds a true highway driving assist feature, along with a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, parking proximity sensors, automatic reverse braking, rear cross-traffic alert, an automated parking system with remote operation, lane-change assist, and a digital rearview mirror. All of these systems functioned as expected, though the lane departure warning seemed a bit oversensitive as it triggered as we approached a lane marker, rather than when we would have actually touched it.

Prices for the all-electric 2026 Lexus ES EV start at $48,895 (including $1,395 in destination fees) for ES 350e in its entry-level Premium trim. The all-wheel-drive ES 500e rings in at $51,895. These prices are especially notable because they cost less than their equivalent ES 350h hybrid stablemates. Stepping up to the top Luxury trims will cost $57,295 for the ES 350e, and $60,295 for the ES 500e.

We drove both the all-electric and hybrid ES variants, and we can confidently state that the electric models are the way to go. They're noticeably quieter, more composed when cornering, and offer more responsive acceleration. On top of those advantages, you'll also save money in fuel costs.

With no direct rivals from Acura, Infiniti, or Genesis, the electric Lexus ES is an undeniable bargain among midsize all-electric luxury sedans. By comparison, the BMW i5, Mercedes-Benz EQE, and Audi A6 Sportback e-tron cost between $18,000 and $20,000 more.

Deciding between which ES model to go with will depend on your particular needs. The front-drive ES 350e should easily satisfy the vast majority of drivers (especially those who prioritize comfort over performance). For those in weather-prone regions, the all-wheel drive ES 500e will likely be a better choice for traction and stability.