DecodedCarsLexus ES
22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 21–46 combined, by year
- EV range
- up to 307 mi
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 17 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2007 (369)
- Fewest problems
- 2022
- Interest
- 18,660 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 ES in brief
The 2026 Lexus ES is a midsize car offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 202 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,641 lb (350e 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 46 MPG combined (48 city / 44 highway), 47% better than the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG, for an estimated $600 a year in fuel.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 307 miles and takes about 8 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Lexus ES has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026.
Its most efficient year was 2026 at 46 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 21 to 46 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the air bags (1,065), unknown or other (161), service brakes (64).
Buying used? 2022 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2019 is the year to avoid.
2019 has the most recalls (4); all years together count 17 campaigns and 1,612 owner complaints.
How the 2005 ES compares
The 2005 Lexus ES is a midsize car offered with a 3.3L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,461 lb.
About the Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan marketed since 1989 by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, across multiple generations, each offering V6 engines and a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. The first five generations of the ES used the Toyota Camry platform, while the latter generations are more closely related to both the Camry and the Avalon. Manual transmissions were offered until 1993, a lower-displacement inline-four engine became an option in Asian markets in 2010, and a gasoline-electric hybrid version was introduced in 2012. The battery electric version was later introduced in 2025.
From the Wikipedia article "Lexus ES", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 ES pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 46 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
- Long EV rangeUp to 307 miles on a charge (EPA).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and electric as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 186 hp, versus about 362 hp for similar 2026 models.
Best and worst years to buy used
2022 ES
16 owner complaints · 1 recall · 1 crash report
Year to avoid2019 ES
40 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 7 crash reports
Most reported: Fuel/Propulsion System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
ES changes by model year
- 2026
- New body dimensions: 6.3 in longer, wheelbase +3.1 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New all-electric version
- Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 44 to 46
- 2021
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- 2019
- New body dimensions: 3.2 in longer, wheelbase +2.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 40 to 44
- 2013
- New body dimensions: 1.6 in longer, wheelbase +1.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 40
- 2007
- New body dimensions, wheelbase +2.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.3L 6-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 22 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl | 46 MPG | 202.4 in | 4,641 lb | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 44 MPG | 196.1 in | 3,737 lb | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 44 MPG | 196.1 in | 3,737 lb | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 44 MPG | 196.1 in | 3,737 lb | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 44 MPG | 196.1 in | 3,737 lb | Not rated | 1 | 16 |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 44 MPG | 196.1 in | 3,737 lb | Not rated | 1 | 35 |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 44 MPG | 196.1 in | 3,704 lb | Not rated | 3 | 24 |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 44 MPG | 196.1 in | 3,704 lb | Not rated | 4 | 40 |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,660 lb | Not rated | 2 | 15 |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,660 lb | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,660 lb | Not rated | 1 | 37 |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,660 lb | Not rated | 1 | 27 |
| 2014 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,660 lb | Not rated | 1 | 39 |
| 2013 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl | 40 MPG | 192.9 in | 3,660 lb | Not rated | 1 | 55 |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,580 lb | Not rated | 3 | 116 |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,580 lb | Not rated | 3 | 187 |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,580 lb | Not rated | 4 | 157 |
| 2009 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,580 lb | Not rated | 4 | 129 |
| 2008 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,580 lb | Not rated | 3 | 246 |
| 2007 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 22 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,580 lb | Not rated | 3 | 369 |
| 2006 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,461 lb | Not rated | 0 | 31 |
| 2005 | 3.3L 6-cyl | 21 MPG | 191.3 in | 3,461 lb | Not rated | 1 | 36 |
Alternatives to the 2026 ES
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW 5 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi A6 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 410 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Porsche Panamera | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →