You won’t find the 2026 Lexus ES 350h making any attempt to reinvent the wheel. Rather, it has chosen to put its emphasis on what it has always excelled at: a quiet, efficient and comfortable ride. With the LS gone, the ES is now the de facto flagship, and this redesign takes that formula to another level.
There is no mistaking the change. The new model is a bit more imposing, with an overall height up 4.5 inches and a wheelbase that has been extended by 3.1 inches. It gives the sedan a more substantial feel and a certain elevated stance you might say is in the vein of the Toyota Crown. Once you are inside, the extra room is apparent. Rear seat space was never an issue with the ES, but here it is even more generous; it is the sort of car you would be happy to let someone else drive you in.
As for the powertrain, the 350h is still the only one in the family to run on gas. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder is mated to Lexus’ newest hybrid set-up for 244 hp, a step up from before. But the numbers are not the whole story. The sixth-gen system is remarkably smooth in how it puts down that power. You don’t get the sense of a hybrid putting on airs; the switch between electric and gas is all but seamless and altogether quieter.
Then there is the matter of efficiency. In front-wheel-drive trim you can expect as much as 46 mpg combined (44 if you opt for AWD). That translates to well over 600 miles out of a full tank, which is hard to argue with if your life involves a lot of commuting or long drives.
The driving dynamics are what you would want from an ES. The suspension makes short work of road imperfections for a composed, relaxed ride whether you are in the city or on the open road. Push it a little and you will find it is not very engaging, but then again, the ES has no intention of being a sports sedan.
Lexus has also seen fit to bring the technology up to date. The old interface is gone, in favor of a big 14.0-inch touchscreen that is much more intuitive to use. They have been sensible enough to leave physical knobs for things like the climate control, however. In of the driver there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Priced from $52,490, the ES 350h is a touch pricier than the new EV version, but it offers something an electric car can’t at present: the ability to go the distance without planning for a charge. It does not chase performance figures. It simply refines what it is, and in the process makes for one of the most easygoing sedans in its class.
