2026 Lexus ES First Drive Review: A Genuine Luxury Sedan, Now Available in EV and Hybrid Variants

      **Lexus**

      The latest in car news and reviews—no nonsense.

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter to receive the most important stories directly in your inbox every weekday.

      The 2026 Lexus ES marks the start of its eighth generation, built on a new platform while maintaining its core goal: unparalleled comfort in a luxury sedan. The major shift involves focusing solely on hybrid and electric drivetrains, while the new ES's design adopts a more conservative approach, sacrificing bold aesthetics.

      To unveil this model, Lexus organized a media event in La Jolla, California, a wealthy area of San Diego where high-end vehicles like Lexuses, Benzes, and Porsches dominate the roads. A luxury sedan suits this locale perfectly, and the 2026 Lexus ES might just be the ideal vehicle for the driveways of these hillside homes. During my test of the 2026 Lexus ES350h, ES350e, and ES500e, I enjoyed cruising through the streets in true comfort, like a local.

      **Lexus**

      **The Basics**

      The eighth-generation ES eliminates the complete gasoline powertrain. For the first time in its history, Lexus developed a multi-pathway platform that supports a gas-electric hybrid and two battery-electric systems under one shared structure. This results in three distinct versions: the ES 350h hybrid available in FWD or AWD, the ES 350e battery-electric in FWD, and the ES 500e battery-electric in AWD. All three models feature the same exterior design, interior layout, a 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen, and standard Lexus Safety System+ 4.0. What differentiates them lies in the components beneath the floor, influencing the driving experience.

      Right from the start, the 2026 ES is a sizable sedan. It's dimensionally larger than its predecessor; if it were any bigger, it could almost be classified as a crossover. In terms of design, a commenter on our initial reveal aptly remarked, "It resembles a blend of a BMW and a Hyundai." However, it doesn't quite turn heads. The body lines on this generation are sharp, akin to the folds on a paper airplane, a trend seen across many automakers. A contrasting trim along the lower body of the door feels like an afterthought rather than a design feature, and the base 19-inch wheels with plastic aero covers undermine its luxurious appeal. Upgrading to the available 21-inch alloy wheels makes a significant difference, enhancing the overall look and feel.

      **Lexus**

      Inside, the ES presents a stronger argument for itself. The cabin exudes maturity and simplicity. While some may find it serene, others might describe it as sterile. Its clean design is undeniable. A 14-inch touchscreen sits above a panel of soft-touch physical controls for climate settings, volume, and defrost. The dashboard and center console user experience is intuitive, though I wouldn’t mind a few more tactile buttons, as there's definitely room for them.

      However, the synthetic leather on the steering wheel feels soft and foamy, falling short of premium expectations; this is a minor yet notable inconsistency. Similarly, the digital door latch system—push to open, pull for emergency—proved to be somewhat finicky. More than once, the door failed to open smoothly with either action, which is a frustrating issue for a vehicle at this price level. The driver-facing eye-monitoring system, which alerts you when your gaze strays from the road, was overly sensitive and quickly became a candidate for being switched off.

      **Lexus**

      **Driving the 2026 Lexus ES**

      What truly matters is the driving experience. I had the opportunity to drive all three variants back-to-back on the same coastal roads, making it easy to compare. In short: all these vehicles are remarkably enjoyable and peaceful to drive. The ES has always prioritized refinement over performance, and this new version lives up to that standard, just as its predecessors have.

      We’ve all encountered the cliché of a luxury vehicle that "feels like driving on clouds." The ES 350h embodies that concept as if it were the guiding principle of its design. Featuring a sixth-generation hybrid system that generates 244 horsepower from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a front motor generator, it achieves an impressive EPA-estimated 46 MPG combined in FWD configuration. On La Jolla's combination of smooth coastal roads and bumpier neighborhood streets, the 350h handled effortlessly. Its acceleration is sufficient for everyday use, but pushing the pedal to the floor reveals the CVT's rather noisy nature—a rare occurrence, as the powertrain operates so smoothly that the CVT is virtually undetectable during regular driving. Light steering, a tranquil ride, and near-complete isolation from road noise contribute to the feeling that you are less in a car and more in a moving room.

      **Lexus**

      The ES350e, being Lexus's first fully electric ES, adds an extra layer of