The 2026 Lexus ES has been overhauled to fill the gap left by the discontinued LS flagship, and for the first time offers fully electric variants alongside a hybrid. Reviewer Tim Stevens found the new all-electric ES 500e and ES 350e to be Lexus's most compelling EVs yet, praising their driving manners and upmarket interior, though he flagged the underlying battery and charging technology as a weak point that undercuts the car's otherwise strong appeal.

The lineup now spans a $51,095 ES 350h hybrid (244 horsepower) alongside two electric options: the single-motor ES 350e from $48,895 (221 horsepower, 307-mile range) and the dual-motor ES 500e from $51,895 (338 horsepower, up to 276 miles). Both EVs share a 74.7-kWh battery that is modest for the car's nearly 5,000lb weight, and charging tops out at just 150kW, less than half the rate of rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric. Despite this, the reviewer was impressed by the cabin's materials, design and touchscreen technology, noting the ES 500e is priced close to a dual-motor Tesla Model 3 but offers a far more luxurious interior.