The 2026 Lexus ES is set to debut exclusively with battery-electric (BEV) or hybrid powertrains, marking a significant departure from its past by discontinuing purely internal combustion engine (ICE) versions after the 2025 model year. A notable aspect of this new generation is the near-identical starting price for both the electric and hybrid variants, hovering around the $50,000 mark. This strategic move by Lexus demonstrates that price parity between different powertrain types is achievable, even in a luxury sedan segment, without requiring the vehicle to be an SUV.

Specifically, the all-electric ES 350e Premium, featuring a single-motor, starts at a competitive $48,795. In comparison, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) hybrid ES 350h Premium is priced slightly higher, adding $2,200 to the EV's base cost. Both versions of the ES will maintain nearly identical dimensions, including a shared 116.1-inch wheelbase. However, significant weight differences are present, with the base FWD hybrid weighing in at 4,012 pounds, while the single-motor EV variant is considerably heavier at 4,640 pounds.

For the electric models, the 2026 Lexus ES 350e (single-motor, FWD) comes equipped with a 74.7-kWh battery pack, offering an estimated range of 307 miles. A dual-motor ES 500e variant will also be available, but despite retaining the same battery pack size, its additional rear motor reduces its range to 292 miles. When compared to its direct competitor, the 2027 BMW i3 midsize EV sedan, the Lexus ES EV's range is notably shorter, as the BMW is projected to achieve an estimated 440 miles.

In terms of charging, the Lexus ES EV will adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port and will also include a J1772-CCS adapter, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of charging infrastructure, including Tesla Superchargers and DC fast chargers. However, the ES will be limited by a 150-kW DC charging rate, which translates to a 10–80 percent recharge time of approximately 28 minutes at best. This charging speed is a considerable disadvantage when contrasted with the 2027 BMW i3, which is expected to support DC charging rates of up to 400-kW.

The hybrid ES will be offered in both FWD and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. It integrates a 2.5-liter I-4 combustion engine and a significantly smaller battery pack strategically located under the rear seat. Similar to the EV, the hybrid system utilizes an electric motor to power the rear wheels in AWD variants, eliminating the need for a traditional driveshaft. This hybrid platform mirrors that used in the Toyota Camry, and it is important to note that it is not a plug-in hybrid system. Consequently, battery charging for the hybrid ES is exclusively performed when the engine is running, and its EV mode is limited to short distances and neighborhood speeds.