Luxury car purchases are hardly what you’d call rational. Why splurge on a car that costs way more than its mainstream sibling for a posh interior, a perception of prestige and status, and more tech features? To be fair, though, luxury cars do objectively drive and feel nicer, hence the continued demand for such vehicles.
There are also luxury brands that offer more value than others, and if you’re in the market for a balanced and well-priced luxury sedan, chances are you’re likely looking at Lexus. That’s because, compared to the Germans, Lexus vehicles tend to be more rational in a segment defined by prestige and cutting-edge technology. That’s not to say that this Lexus model is lacking in modernity, because for 2026, this midsize luxury sedan gets a radical redesign.
The Radical New Lexus ES
For 2026, the Lexus ES midsize luxury sedan enters its eighth generation, featuring a radical redesign inside and out. It is also debuting plenty of firsts for the Lexus brand.
Goodbye L-Finesse Design
The 2026 Lexus ES is the first production model in the brand’s stable to feature the new Clean Tech x Elegance design language. Gone are the lines and shapes that were defined by the Lexus Spindle Grille, and in its place are sharper lines and creases. This is best observed in the ES’s side profile, whose character line isn’t just a simple line, but a black trim piece. For some, this is its most controversial design aspect, so whether you like it or not is completely up to you.
Up front, the Spindle Grille continues its evolution into the Spindle Body, especially for the fully-electric versions of the ES, where this is fully enclosed. At the back, the ES features a fastback-like roofline, which leads to a sculpted trunk lid with a full-width LED light bar. This also contains an illuminated Lexus script. Overall, the changes are so radical that the new ES is splitting opinions. One thing’s for sure, it’s a design that looks really distinct on the road.
Tech-Forward Interior
Continuing on its high-tech theme, the interior of the 2026 Lexus ES features a tech-forward design, though if I were being honest, I’m not quite sure if it’s a step forward. For one, the horizontal dash design may look modern, but it loses some of the interesting textures and materials that the outgoing ES had. Still, Lexus has made the effort to include available 3D-printed bamboo details to preserve some of the craftsmanship that the ES has always been known for.
On the flipside, a new-generation Lexus infotainment powered by Toyota’s new Arene OS is fitted as standard with a 14-inch screen, while drivers are greeted with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Lexus has also implemented new “Hidden Tech” switches in the steering and the dashboard, wherein only certain features are illuminated depending on the current vehicle function. Optional features include a Mark Levinson surround sound system and even an Executive Package where the rear outboard seats feature power recline, massage, and an ottoman on the right rear seat.
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Flexible Electrification For All
For the first time, you can no longer get an ES with a V-6, as this will be discontinued with the 2025 model year. Instead, this will be the first Lexus ES generation to feature electrification as standard.
Fully Electric Models Debuting First
When the 2026 Lexus ES arrives early this year, the fully electric models will go on sale first. These will be the front-wheel drive (FWD) ES 350e and the dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) ES 500e. From a power standpoint, the base ES 350e has a 220-horsepower output, while the dual-motor AWD ES 500e has a 338-horsepower output. The former is good for a 0–60 MPH time of 7.7 seconds, while the latter does the same sprint in 5.4 seconds.
The Lexus ES 350e has a 77-kWh battery, while the more powerful ES 500e has a slightly smaller 75-kWh unit. Both of these figures are based on their European specifications, but these will likely be the same for the North American market. Lexus also promises a range of 300 miles for the ES 350e, and 250 miles for the faster ES 500e. Both models also come natively with the NACS charge port, supporting up to 11 kW of AC charging, while DC charging from 10 to 80 percent at a yet-to-be-disclosed power output is good for 30 minutes.
With The Hybrid Version Debuting Later
For those who still aren’t keen on a fully electric Lexus ES, that’s where the ES 350h comes in. Toyota has also confirmed that the new ES will debut the new, sixth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS VI), which comes with the use of Toyota’s new eAxle found in its EVs like the ES 350e and ES 500e. eAxle is a more compact electric motor that also integrates the inverter and gearbox into a single space-saving unit, which results in better efficiency and better packaging.
2026 Lexus ES Performance Specs
|
ES 350h |
ES 350e |
ES 500e |
|
|
Engine |
2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid |
(Front) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors |
(Front and Rear) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors |
|
Transmission |
e-CVT |
1-speed A/T |
|
|
Horsepower |
243 hp |
220 hp |
338 hp |
|
Torque |
N/A |
221 lb-ft |
332 lb-ft |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD, AWD |
FWD |
AWD |
|
Battery Capacity |
N/A |
77 kWh |
75 kWh |
|
Electric Range |
N/A |
300 miles (Lexus estimate) |
250 miles (Lexus estimate) |
|
Max AC Charging |
N/A |
11 kW |
|
|
Max DC Charging |
N/A |
TBA |
|
|
0-60 MPH |
7.4 sec. (FWD) 7.2 sec. (AWD) |
7.7 sec. |
5.4 sec. |
With the ES 350h’s THS VI system, power output rises to 243 horsepower from the 215 horsepower that the outgoing ES 300h produces, which is good for a 0-60 MPH time of 7.4 seconds for the FWD version or 7.2 seconds for the AWD version. The new THS VI also allows a higher degree of pure electric driving, but when it does need the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to power the wheels, it connects to the wheels via its planetary gear-type e-CVT.
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Deals Ongoing For 2025 Lexus ES
But what if you aren’t interested in the new ES, and all you want is to get the best deal out of a new Lexus? You’re in luck, because as the new model rolls in, dealerships are keen to clear up their inventory for the new generation model’s arrival.
Low APR Promos And Leasing Offers
Until February 2, 2026, the Lexus ES 250, which uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 203 horsepower and comes with AWD as standard, is being offered with a low 2.99 percent APR for financing of up to 48 months. The ES 250 AWD is the variant that’s meant for those who wish for AWD in the Lexus ES, though this is also the least powerful variant. If you prefer to lease, there’s an offer for 36 months at $419 per month, $3,999 due at signing, and an annual mileage cap of 10,000 miles.
For those who are in an existing lease program, Lexus also has what they call the Lexus Payment Waiver Program. Qualified lessees of Lexus Financial Services can waive up to six remaining monthly lease payments when purchasing or applying for a new Lexus lease. This applies to the 2025 ES or to other Lexus models as well.
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The V-6 Is Still Appealing
There is one major reason why you may prefer the outgoing Lexus ES, and that’s because of its available 3.5-liter V-6 engine. If you prefer big displacement engines, the 2025 Lexus ES 350 is still worth considering, especially since the 302-horsepower V-6 is creamy and buttery smooth, not to mention reliable, too. The engine is a perfect match to what this generation of the Lexus ES represents—effortless luxury in terms of both the driving experience, the interior feel, and the overall ownership experience. There’s luxury in barely having to think about what’s going to break.