Flash Drive: 2026 Lexus ES 350e and 500e EVs

A New Choice in All-Electric Premium Sedans

A few months ago Toyota, the parent company of Lexus, and Lexus had two all-electric vehicles between them. By the end of 2026 that number will be seven. This is a major turn-around for Toyota, which has been the leader in hybrid vehicle sales, but was not seen as serious about EVs.

The latest from Lexus are the 2026 ES 350e and 500e EVs that share their platform with the also newly introduced 2026 ES 350h Hybrid. Lexus calls this a multi-pathway design to handle gasoline-electric hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric models. We call it the best ES ever. And a great sedan.

Two Choices for Clean and Efficient Driving

The 2026 Lexus ES 350e has a single motor producing 221 horsepower (hp) and 198 pound-feet of torque (lb.-ft.) driving the rear wheels. The 500e has 338 total system horsepower with twin motors driving all four wheels: 221 hp/198 lb.-ft. for the front, 118 hp/88 lb.-ft. of torque for the rear.

As with all battery electric vehicles there is no transmission, so acceleration is quick with torque available at anytime, any speed. There are four drive modes–Eco, Normal, Sport and Custom to make driving either more efficient or spirited.

Driving Range (EPA)

ES 350e FWD

w/19-inch wheels: 307 miles

2/21-inch wheels: 292 miles

ES 500e AWD

w/19-inch wheels: 276 miles

w/21-inch wheels: 272 miles

Charging

Both models feature a 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery charged via a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port located on the right front fender. With the onboard 11.0 kW charger, it will charge 10-to-100%:

AC Level 2: Seven hours

DC Fast Charger: 28 minutes (@150 kW)

Road Time

Clean Fleet Report had the opportunity briefly to drive the ES 350e and ES 500e at the media introductions in La Jolla, California. As should be expected from Lexus, the performance was spirited with linear, smooth acceleration and 0-60 mph times of about 7.4 seconds and 5.1 seconds, respectively. Both are more than enough to get up to freeway speeds and also to enjoy some fun driving.

Regenerative braking using the steering wheel-mounted paddles slows the car without tapping the brake pedal for deceleration and energy recovery. Pressing the Auto Hold button keeps the car at a stop until stepping on the accelerator.

The expected Lexus premium ride is thanks to the independent MacPherson front and rear strut-type suspension with a multi-link set-up in the rear. The ride, which is a significant reason to consider a Lexus, was smooth and comfortable. The handling was responsive and predictable with the electronic power steering having good road feedback. The steering feel provided a good connection with the road.

Exterior Design

The first generation all-electric ES twins slip through the air with a low 0.25 coefficient of drag.

The premium design has twin-L-shaped LED head and daytime running lights that are sleekly integrated into the fenders.

The nose, front bumpers, hood, roof and trunk are smooth and, when you view the ES from the side form one continuous line front-to-back. The sides have a character feature and flush door handles. All this is designed to direct air flow down the sides and over the roof. The trunk lid has an upsweep, forming an integrated lip spoiler that sits just above the full-width tail lights.

The bumpers, door handles, power and heated exterior mirrors and shark fin antenna are color-keyed to the body. Exterior pallet options include Ultra White, Cloudburst Gray, Iridium, Caviar, Copper Crest and Wavelength.

Interior

Front and side visibility, through the acoustic glass, are excellent due to the rake of the hood, narrow A pillars, hidden rain-sensing windshield wipers and the front seat ride height. The cleanly designed dash is covered in soft touch materials and Ash Bamboo trim.

Interior trim color choices are White, Black or Palomino. The heated, ventilated and perforated seats are covered in NuLuxe, a synthetic leather. Semi-aniline leather and bamboo layering with a geometric patterned trim are available on the Luxury trim. The front seats provided good support across the entire body, with the driver and passenger having plenty of options to find a comfortable driving and riding position.

If ordering the ES 350e with the Executive Package, there is massage for the outbound rear seats that are also heated and ventilated. The multi-zone climate control has a rear seat controller, power rear window shade, side manual window shades and a 4-way power rear passenger-side seat with a power ottoman.

Rear seat passengers can slide and recline the front passenger seat so it can lay flat. Raising the ottoman makes one long seat for relaxing or even taking a nap. When parked, of course! This package also includes pillow-type rear seat headrests and two 15-watt USB-C ports in the center armrest.

The minimalist dash is driver friendly with a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch multi-information display with customizable gauges and a configurable head-up display. A 10-speaker Lexus audio system is standard with an available 17-speaker (with a subwoofer) Mark Levinson 1,800-watt surround sound premium audio system.

The touchscreen handled satellite-based navigation and the rear view camera. For  entertainment, there is AM/FM HD radio, SiriusXM, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with 60-watt USB-C ports, front and rear. The Lexus Safety System 4.0+ provides a full suite of advanced safety features.

The Bluetooth with voice recognition worked very well. Just say “Hey, Lexus!” The steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls and the Qi wireless phone charging were convenient. The thematic ambient lighting was soothing and the front seat radiant knee heater should add comfort in conjunction with the heated seats.

Pricing

The 2026 Lexus ES 350e and 500e sedans come in two trim levels. Prices include the $1,395 destination and handling charge.

Observations: 2026 Lexus ES 350e/500e EVs

Sedans serve a purpose for many people. A premium sedan even more so. The 2026 Lexus ES 350e and 500e are refined and are premium. Will loyal Lexus owners make the leap to their first EV because they are familiar with the ES? Three all-electric sedans leaving the market this year (Tesla Model S, Hyundai Ionic 6 and Genesis G80) present Lexus with a prime opportunity to reach consumers that have a sedan reference and are ready to move into a Lexus EV or try the brand for the first time?

Sakika Aono, Lexus senior product marketing manager, told us: “The ES has been around for 37 years, is now in its eighth generation and is the best-selling Lexus sedan of all time. The ES is very important to the brand and is one of our highest loyalty models. We actually believe we will conquest and bring in younger buyers with this vehicle.”

The quick take is the ES 350e and 500e offer a comfortable ride, a quiet cabin, good handling characteristics in a well-built midsize sedan. This is the best ES ever with great looks, all the technology you would want and is amazingly efficient. It is just an excellent sedan. Yes, even sedans can be great in a world of trucks, crossovers and SUVs.

The ES 350e and 500e offers comfort for up to five passengers. When two are sitting out back, they get a reclining rear seat that does not fold flat, but does have a pass-through. The rear passenger-side ottoman leg extender is a cool feature. The trunk can handle plenty of gear when taking a long, all-electric road trip.

The Lexus Dealer Difference

Lexus prides itself in making the dealer experience among the best in the industry. Of course, some people may encounter issues, but the overall consensus is Lexus staff are trained to be courteous and transparent. The dealerships are well-maintained with comfortable waiting areas and most offer complimentary car washes. Lexus has a robust loaner car program with pickup-at-home or office service.

Clean Fleet Report hears real-world stories about dealer experiences from all brands with Lexus, Genesis and Mercedes-Benz getting high marks. We also hear comments about a Lexus being nothing more than a higher priced Toyota.

We can say without any hesitation this is not true. Whatever difference in price is made-up for with a stronger warranty, more standard equipment and personal attention. If you haven’t visited a Lexus dealer, maybe go check them out when looking at the all-new 2026 ES 350e and 500e EVs. Lexus says you will “Experience Amazing,” so we say go see for yourself.

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all new stories and vehicle reviews.

Story and photos by John Faulkner.

1 2 ... 4 ►