- Redesigned Lexus ES 350h sedan debuts the brand’s sixth-generation hybrid system, which is more powerful and more efficient.
- 2026 Lexus ES 350h gets 46 mpg combined with front-wheel drive (FWD), or 44 mpg combined with all-wheel drive (AWD).
- 2026 Lexus ES 350h rates at 244 horsepower versus 215 hp in the outgoing 2025 Lexus ES 300h.
The 2026 Lexus ES hybrid returns with more power and greater efficiency than the outgoing model, Lexus disclosed on Friday. The improvements come with the debut of Lexus’s sixth-generation hybrid system and a streamlined powertrain lineup that includes only hybrid and full battery electric options.
The redesigned 2026 Lexus ES marks the eighth generation of the luxury sedan that first put Toyota’s luxury brand on the map in the U.S. back in 1989. The new multi-energy platform stretches out much larger than the 2025 Lexus ES, measuring 6.5 inches long, 2.2 inches wider, and with a wheelbase that’s grown at least 3 inches to better accommodate up to five passengers. It’s also 4.5 inches taller.
That creeps into the Lexus LS full-size sedan territory, and also makes it easier to get in and out of. For Lexus, the new platform enables both hybrid and electric powertrains.
Like the latest generation of the related Toyota Camry, the new ES will not have a gas-only powertrain. The 2026 Lexus ES 350h hybrid, priced at $51,095, actually costs more than the all-electric version, the ES 350e, which starts at $48,895. All prices include destination fee. The electric Lexus ES launched back in March.
| Model | Powertrain | Price |
| ES 350h Premium | 244-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid | $51,095 |
| ES 350h Premium AWD | 244-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid | $52,495 |
| ES 350h Premium+ | 244-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid | $55,895 |
| ES 350h Premium+ AWD | 244-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid | $57,295 |
| ES 350e Premium | 221-hp single front motor electric vehicle | $48,895 |
| ES 500e Premium AWD | 338-hp dual-motor electric vehicle | $51,895 |
| ES 350e Luxury | 221-hp single front motor electric vehicle | $57,295 |
| ES 500e Luxury AWD | 338-hp dual motor electric vehicle | $60,295 |
What’s New for the 2026 Lexus ES 350h Hybrid
In addition to the dimensional growth, the new ES 350h improves over the outgoing 2025 ES 300h, hence the upgrade to its numeric designation. The new hybrid system is more powerful, producing 244 hp versus 215 hp in the old 300h. The system uses a starter generator and a propulsion motor to aid the 2.5-liter inline-4 cylinder engine. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard. For the first time, the ES hybrid can be equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), where another motor helps propel the rear axle. That allows for a rear-biased power split when traction is needed.
The boost in power does not sacrifice efficiency. The 2026 Lexus ES 350h FWD nets 46 mpg combined, according to EPA estimates; the 350h AWD gets 44 mpg combined, which was the same as the outgoing FWD 300h.
These improvements come at a cost, of course. The 2025 ES 300h started at just under $45,000.
The base ES 250 has been discontinued.
New Tech and Features in the 2026 Lexus ES 350h Hybrid
The $6,000 increase in starting price includes more than just powertrain updates, a bigger footprint, and a snazzy new style. Standard features include a new 14-inch touchscreen that’s supersized compared to the outgoing 8-inch screen. Wireless smartphone connectivity and wireless device charging are also standard. The ES 350h also comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, at least four USB-C ports, and dual-zone climate control.
The power front seats are covered in synthetic leather upholstery, and are heated and ventilated. Lexus also throws in a heated steering wheel, which almost always costs extra from other premium brands. A complete suite of driver-assist systems is also standard, including blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Made in Japan, the 2026 Lexus ES is on sale now.
