By: Aoun Syed
November 3, 2026
There are redesigns that put a fresh face on an existing car and add a reasonable number of new features, and then there are redesigns that completely change how a car is perceived. The 2026 Lexus ES 500e falls firmly into the latter category, with drastically changed proportions, an extra touch of luxury and an all-new electric powertrain, while still retaining the classic Lexus character.
The ES 500e is one of those cars that is much larger in person than pictures suggest. Its tall roofline and available 21-inch wheels give it proportions that feel almost closer to a crossover than a traditional sedan. Gone is the large and very obvious spindle grille, replaced by a front fascia that retains an aggressive appearance without needing additional visual bling. The rear slopes downward to give the car a sportier profile that also makes it appear shorter than it really is.
Step inside the ES 500e and you realize the exterior was only a brief introduction to the real luxury within. Our tester, equipped with the Luxury+ package, featured white semi-aniline leather with matte-finish Bamboo Layering Trim that forms an almost origami-like pattern across the door panels. It grabs your attention without trying too hard. Apart from a few accidental presses of the voice-recognition button on the steering wheel, the controls are easy to operate. There are also buttons on the dashboard that initially look capacitive but, much to our joy, are actual tactile switches that provide a satisfying confirmation that your input was registered.
The aforementioned leather seats not only look great but are very comfortable on longer trips, with plenty of adjustment to support practically every part of the body while retaining a useful amount of firmness. The taller roofline also makes getting in and out effortless, and once inside, the seating position feels closer to that of a crossover than a traditional luxury sedan. While our tester did not have the Executive VIP package, the rear seats are still extremely comfortable, with a generous amount of legroom that rivals much larger luxury sedans.
Then there are the features packed into the ES 500e. Many are what you would expect from a well-equipped luxury sedan at this price, but the implementation is where Lexus really shines. The 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provides a beautifully curated experience with virtually no distortion, even at the highest volume our eardrums were willing to tolerate. Smaller touches also stand out, such as windshield wipers that move briskly upward before returning more gently and power windows that slow as they reach the end of their travel. They are small details, but together they make the car feel smooth and deliberate.
When darkness falls, even more technology gradually reveals itself. Ambient lighting within the Bamboo Layering Trim and vent surrounds slowly fades into view with a subtle glow, shifting the mood from traditional luxury to something more futuristic. The available Adaptive High-Beam System works with similar polish, adjusting illumination to maximize visibility without unnecessarily blinding surrounding traffic.
The software interfaces are equally polished. A new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster sits ahead of the driver, while the large 14-inch central touchscreen delivers crisp graphics, smooth animations and virtually no noticeable input lag. Compared with the previous generation, the new digital cluster can display far more information, including mapping and visual representations of surrounding traffic detected by the vehicle’s driver-assistance systems.
Lexus also did not hold back with the powertrain. The ES 500e uses a 74.7-kWh battery pack and dual electric motors producing a combined 338 horsepower through Lexus’ DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system. Acceleration comes on smoothly with no hesitation, getting this large sedan up to speed surprisingly quickly. Put your foot down harder and there is an immediate surge of power, but it only becomes aggressive when you deliberately ask for it. Where many high-performance EVs seem determined to rearrange your internal organs from every stoplight, the ES 500e serves its power progressively and with considerably more dignity.
Range is equally respectable. Lexus rates the ES 500e at up to 438 km with the 21-inch wheels fitted to our Luxury+ tester, and we saw as much as 436 km displayed during our week. Natural Resources Canada rates this configuration at 17.7 kWh/100 km city, 19.9 highway and 18.7 combined. During our testing, we managed an even better 16.7 kWh/100 km with a healthy mix of city and highway driving.
When charging is required, the powered charge-port door slides open to reveal a native NACS connector, opening the ES 500e up to a wide charging network without requiring an adapter. Lexus rates DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, with a 10-to-80-percent charge taking approximately 28 minutes under ideal conditions. During our test, a quick top-up from roughly 60 to 80 percent took around 15 minutes.
We would like to think the person who invented the phrase “riding on a cushion of air” was a time traveller who had just driven the ES 500e. Despite not using air suspension, this large sedan handles road imperfections extremely well, with a ride so smooth that the pavement often seems to disappear underneath it. A MacPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear setup keep body roll well controlled on tighter highway ramps, while the steering carries enough weight to prevent the ES from feeling cumbersome in corners without sacrificing the light, responsive character expected from a luxury sedan.
The brakes are equally well judged. There is plenty of stopping power, but the pedal builds braking force gradually enough that smooth, chauffeur-style stops become almost effortless. That matters in a car like the ES, where refinement is not simply about isolating passengers from noise but also about making every input feel polished.
As with most modern luxury cars, there is no shortage of driver-assistance technology, and here it further contributes to the concierge-like experience. Adaptive cruise control operates smoothly, while Lane Change Assist moves the car across lanes quickly without feeling abrupt or hesitant. Traffic Jam Assist handles stop-and-go driving with similar composure, resisting the temptation to aggressively close every small gap and avoiding harsh braking when another driver inevitably fills it. Even the Panoramic View Monitor changes camera perspectives depending on the manoeuvre it senses the driver attempting.
The 2026 ES lineup starts at $59,900 MSRP for the ES 350h AWD Signature. Our ES 500e AWD started at $65,525, while the Luxury+ package and premium Wavelength paint brought the option total to $12,260. Including destination and the listed fees, our tester came to $80,136.56 before taxes.
The Lexus ES 500e is an exceptional luxury sedan that exceeded our expectations going into this review. Its distinctive approach to luxury, technology that genuinely makes occupants feel looked after and superb ride quality make it one of the most impressive luxury sedans we have experienced at this price point. With the flagship LS now reaching the end of its run, the ES 500e feels capable of carrying some of that traditional Lexus sedan character forward. For anyone looking for a well-crafted luxury experience without crossing into six-figure territory, the ES 500e deserves serious consideration.
