Review: The Electrified 2026 Lexus ES Is an Evolved Tradition
More polished than a Tesla Model 3 and less expensive than an Audi A6 E-Tron, the ES proves that a quiet, cushy luxury sedan is well-suited to an electric powertrain
For decades, the Lexus ES has had many fans at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. It’s done well in our road tests, reliability surveys, and owner satisfaction questionnaires. It has also won our unofficial internal popularity contest.
1 / 2 : Absent the Luxury model's contrasting trim, the interior of the ES500e we purchased looks a little bland.
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
To find out what those changes mean for an owner, we purchased our own all-electric 2026 Lexus ES 500e Premium AWD anonymously at a local Lexus dealer. Our tested car has only a handful of options, including premium paint, a cold-weather package, and the dual-motor powertrain. It cost $53,990. We also borrowed an ES 350e from Lexus equipped with the more upscale Luxury package so that we could check out the more attractive interior and upgraded sound system, along with higher-cost options like heated, cooled, and massaging rear seats. It had a sticker price of around $64,000. The hybrid version starts at $48,895, and we’ll purchase and test one as soon as it’s available.
Below, Consumer Reports members can read our first impressions of the new electric ES. Over the next few weeks, we’ll put it through more than 50 tests at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, including those for acceleration, braking, handling, and usability. Sign up for the Cars Newsletter to find out as soon as those results are available, including our full road test and Overall Score.
What we bought: 2026 Lexus ES 500e Premium AWD
Powertrain: 338-hp, dual electric motors; 74.7-kWh battery; direct-drive transmission; all-wheel drive
Base MSRP: $50,500
Options: Cold Area Package (windshield wiper de-icer, headlamp washers, and radiant knee heater), $375; Convenience Package (sensor-based parking assist, front cross-traffic alert, and driver monitoring system), $1,220; Premium Ultra White paint, $500.
Destination fee: $1,395
Total cost: $53,990
Final assembly: Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan
Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports
