2026 Lexus ES Preview

Design

The 2026 ES embraces Lexus’s “Clean Tech x Elegance” design concept. It’s defined by a flowing, more aerodynamic profile that makes it radically different from the outgoing model. This midsized sedan will grow significantly: at approximately 6.5 inches longer overall and with a 3-inch longer wheelbase, the ES should offer an expanded exterior, particularly for rear-seat passengers. Preliminary images show the front end will incorporate a new interpretation of the Lexus spindle design that extends from the hood to the bumper corners. Slim LED headlights, which Lexus calls “Twin L-Signature Lamps,” with integrated turn signals, set the tone for a strikingly modern exterior, complemented by a full-width LED taillight bar.

Powertrain

For the first time, the ES will be offered exclusively with electrified powertrains. The core trim will be the ES 350h, featuring a sixth-generation hybrid system that pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. This setup is expected to produce a combined 244 horsepower. We anticipate that front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations will be available.

The big news is the addition of fully electric variants, dubbed the ES 350e with front-wheel drive and the ES 500e with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front-drive electric version is expected to deliver around 220 horsepower and an estimated range of 300 miles. The more powerful AWD-equipped ES 500e should produce about 338 horsepower with a 250-mile range. The AWD version will use Lexus’s DIRECT4 technology, which can continuously adjust torque distribution between the front and rear axles based on driving conditions. Lexus estimates the ES 500e will reach 60 mph from a standstill in 5.4 seconds.

Interior and Technology

Inside, the 2026 ES will debut a new cabin design with a driver-focused layout based on Lexus’s “tazuna” concept. A 12.3-inch digital instrument display will sit behind the steering wheel, while a 14-inch touchscreen dominates the center stack. This new infotainment system will include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility and an improved voice assistant with quicker response times.

Lexus has teased that the ES’s cabin will feature innovations like “Bamboo Layering,” which uses 3-D printing technology to capture the look and feel of natural bamboo. At the same time, the company will pair synthetic leather embossing with ambient illumination to elevate the cabin’s understated environment. For the first time in the U.S., ES buyers will be able to add an Executive Package that adds reclining rear seats with a passenger-side ottoman, massage functions, and heating and ventilated seats for the rear outboard passengers.

Chassis and Handling

The 2026 ES will ride on a redesigned TNGA GA-K platform specifically engineered to accommodate hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. Lexus says it has significantly increased structural rigidity, which should reduce body vibrations and enhance steering response. In another first, the ES will incorporate a multi-link rear suspension, replacing the previous trailing-arm setup, which we expect to improve ride quality and handling precision.

Safety Technology

The 2026 ES will debut Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, the newest version of the brand’s suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. While full details have yet to be released, we anticipate that enhanced detection capabilities and more sophisticated semi-autonomous driving features will be included.