Makes›Lexus›ES›2026

2026 Lexus ES

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.

Class: Midsize Cars
Body styles: 350e 4dr Sedan, 350h 4dr Sedan, 500e 4dr Sedan
Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl
Horsepower: 186 hp
Transmission: e-CVT
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: EV, Hybrid
MPG (best): 46 combined · 48 city / 44 hwy
EV range: 307 mi · 8 h on 240 V
Length: 202.4 in
Curb weight: 4,266–5,038 lb
NHTSA rating: Not rated
Recalls: 0 campaigns

Pros & cons

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.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

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.

What changed for 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

Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 ES →

Trims, performance & features

Engine186 hp2.5L 4-cyl hybrid

Transmissione-CVT

DriveFWD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

21 Series

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Rear cross-traffic alertStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Parking assistStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Miyata, Fukuoka

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2026 ES configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight
350e 4dr Sedan	202.4 in	75.6 in	61.4 in	116.1 in	65.4 / 66.1 in	4,641 lb
350h 4dr Sedan	202.4 in	75.6 in	61.4 in	116.1 in	65.4 / 66.1 in	4,266 lb
500e 4dr Sedan	202.4 in	75.6 in	61.4 in	116.1 in	65.4 / 66.1 in	5,038 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
ES 350e (19 inch Wheels) EV	167 kW AC Synchronous	Automatic (A1)	Front-Wheel Drive	307 mi · 27 kWh/100mi	–	$600	–
ES 350e (21 inch Wheels) EV	167 kW AC Synchronous	Automatic (A1)	Front-Wheel Drive	292 mi · 27.5209 kWh/100mi	–	$600	–
ES 500e AWD (19 inch Wheels) EV	88 and 167 kW AC Synchronous	Automatic (A1)	All-Wheel Drive	276 mi · 30 kWh/100mi	–	$700	–
ES 500e AWD (21 inch Wheels) EV	88 and 167 kW AC Synchronous	Automatic (A1)	All-Wheel Drive	272 mi · 30 kWh/100mi	–	$700	–
ES 350h Hybrid	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	48 / 44 / 46	+47%	$1,800	191
ES 350h AWD Hybrid	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	All-Wheel Drive	47 / 42 / 44	+41%	$1,850	200

10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

10/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $9,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

31.2 MPG2026 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Lexus ES.

Similar 2026 midsize cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2026 Lexus ES (this car)	46 MPG	Not rated	0
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

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2026 Lexus ES.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2026 Lexus ES is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

0Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

Unknown Or Other1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Other ES years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2025 ES	44	196.1 in	Not rated	1	5
2024 ES	44	196.1 in	Not rated	2	9
2023 ES	44	196.1 in	Not rated	2	12
2022 ES	44	196.1 in	Not rated	1	16
2021 ES	44	196.1 in	Not rated	1	35
2020 ES	44	196.1 in	Not rated	3	24
2019 ES	44	196.1 in	Not rated	4	40
2018 ES	40	192.9 in	Not rated	2	15
2017 ES	40	192.9 in	Not rated	1	26
2016 ES	40	192.9 in	Not rated	1	37
2015 ES	40	192.9 in	Not rated	1	27
2014 ES	40	192.9 in	Not rated	1	39

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →