Model Year Matters

2026 Lexus ES

Sedan · 2010–2027

2026–2027 Lexus ES
2026–2027 pictured. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy Avoid2011–2012, 2021Far more serious problems than usual Be careful2010, 2020More problems; check the recalls were done

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-12.

Trims and features

201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027

What changed for 2026

2026 ES trims

350e Luxury350e Premium350h Premium350h Premium+500e Luxury500e Premium
Price
Starting MSRP$55,900$47,500from $49,700from $54,500$58,900$50,500
Powertrain
Engine——A25A-FXSA25A-FXS——
Horsepower221 hp221 hp244 hp244 hp338 hp338 hp
DrivetrainFwdFwdAWD / FWDAWD / FWDAwdAwd
Fuel economy (combined)——AWD: 44 mpg
FWD: 46 mpg		AWD: 44 mpg
FWD: 46 mpg		——
Electric range307 mi + option307 mi + option——276 mi + option276 mi + option
Size and capability
Seats555555
Tech
Touchscreen14 in14 in14 in14 in14 in14 in
Apple CarPlayWirelessWirelessWirelessWirelessWirelessWireless
Android AutoWirelessWirelessWirelessWirelessWirelessWireless
Digital gauge cluster12.3 in12.3 in12.3 in12.3 in12.3 in12.3 in
Head-up displayWindshield HUD——Windshield HUDWindshield HUD—
AudioMark Levinson——Mark LevinsonMark Levinson—
Speakers171010171710
Wireless phone chargingQiQiQiQiQiQi
Driver assistance
Adaptive cruise controlAdaptive Cruise with Stop & GoAdaptive Cruise with Stop & GoAdaptive Cruise with Stop & GoAdaptive Cruise with Stop & GoAdaptive Cruise with Stop & GoAdaptive Cruise with Stop & Go
Lane keepingLane CenteringLane CenteringLane CenteringLane CenteringLane CenteringLane Centering
Blind-spot monitoringBlind Spot AlertBlind Spot AlertBlind Spot AlertBlind Spot AlertBlind Spot AlertBlind Spot Alert
Automatic emergency brakingAEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist DetectionAEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist DetectionAEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist DetectionAEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist DetectionAEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist DetectionAEB with Pedestrian + Cyclist Detection
Rear cross-trafficRear Cross-Traffic AlertRear Cross-Traffic AlertRear Cross-Traffic AlertRear Cross-Traffic AlertRear Cross-Traffic AlertRear Cross-Traffic Alert
360-degree cameraSurround View Camera——Surround View CameraSurround View Camera—
Parking sensorsFront, RearOptionalOptionalFront, RearFront, RearOptional
Comfort
SeatsLeatherSynthetic LeatherSynthetic LeatherSynthetic LeatherLeatherSynthetic Leather
Heated seatsFront + optionFrontFrontFrontFront + optionFront
Ventilated seatsFront + optionFrontFrontFrontFront + optionFront
Driver seat memoryDriver Seat, Front Passenger SeatDriver SeatDriver SeatDriver SeatDriver Seat, Front Passenger SeatDriver Seat
Climate zones222222
Remote startApp-Based Remote StartApp-Based Remote StartApp-Based Remote StartApp-Based Remote StartApp-Based Remote StartApp-Based Remote Start
Exterior
SunroofTilt/Slide MoonroofTilt/Slide MoonroofTilt/Slide MoonroofTilt/Slide MoonroofTilt/Slide MoonroofTilt/Slide Moonroof
Wheels19 in + option19 in + option19 in19 in19 in + option19 in + option
Packages and options (43)
350e Luxury350e Premium350h Premium350h Premium+500e Luxury500e Premium
Package: All-Weather Floor Liners, All-Weather Trunk Tray $330OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cold Area Package $375OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Convenience Package $1,220StandardOptionalOptionalStandardStandardOptional
Executive Package $3,635Optional———Optional—
Illuminated Trunk Sill, Illuminated Door Sills Package $900OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Package: Carpet Trunk Mat, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks, Key Gloves $319OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Package: Carpet Trunk Mat, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks, Rear Bumper Appliqué, Key Gloves $409OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Black Emblem Overlays (350e) $99OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Door Edge Film by 3M $100OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Door Edge Guards $160OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Paint Protection Film by 3M $450OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Rear Bumper Appliqué $90OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Rear Spoiler $225—OptionalOptionalOptional—Optional
Side Puddle Lamps $175OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Wheel Locks $99OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
All-Weather Floor Liners $200OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
All-Weather Trunk Tray $130OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cargo Net $65OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Carpet Trunk Mat $130OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Carpet Trunk Mat with Storage $275OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Dual Front Wireless Phone Chargers $75Optional———Optional—
Emergency Assistance Kit $90OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Illuminated Door Sills $450OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Illuminated Trunk Sill $450OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Key Gloves $25OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Lexus Quick Charge Cables $85OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Multimedia Screen Protector $109OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
SiriusXM Trial Offering: 33 Months $350OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
21-in Alloy Wheels with Gray Metallic Finish and Matte Black Aero Covers $2,315Optional———OptionalOptional
21-in Alloy Wheels with Gray Metallic and Machined Finish $2,140OptionalOptional——Optional—
19-in Alloy Wheels with Gray Metallic Finish and Black Aero Covers StandardStandardStandardStandardStandardStandard
Caviar OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cloudburst Gray $500OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Copper Crest $595OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Iridium $500OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Ultra White $500OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Wavelength $500OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Black —OptionalOptionalOptional—Optional
Black Semi-Aniline Leather Optional———Optional—
Palomino —OptionalOptionalOptional—Optional
Palomino Semi-Aniline Leather Optional———Optional—
White —OptionalOptionalOptional—Optional
White Semi-Aniline Leather Optional———Optional—

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem configurator, Press release, Press release, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, options, option rules. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; tap for which.

The 2026 Lexus ES at a glance

Engines2.5L 4-cyl, 186 hp
Electric
DriveAWD, FWD
Fuel economy44–46 mpg
112–127 MPGe
NHTSA crash ratingNot rated
Recalls0
Owner complaints0

Compared with the years around it

202520262027
Engines2.5L 4-cyl, 176–202 hp
3.5L 6-cyl, 301 hp		2.5L 4-cyl, 186 hp
Electric		—
Fuel economy25–44 mpg44–46 mpg
112–127 MPGe		—
Crash rating5 of 5Not ratedNot rated
Recalls100
Owner complaints500
Apple CarPlayYes——
Our verdictGOOD BUY——

Every ES year side by side →

Which years have…

Wireless Apple CarPlayWireless Android AutoApple CarPlay (wired or wireless)Wireless phone chargingHead-up displayAWD or 4WDHybrid, plug-in hybrid or electricFully electricAdaptive cruise with stop and goLane centeringBlind-spot monitoring360-degree cameraHeated front seatsHeated second-row seatsVentilated (cooled) seatsHeated steering wheelLeather seatsRemote startSunroof or moonroofPanoramic roof
Every NHTSA-rated 2026 version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
YearVersionStarsForward collision warning Lane departure warningRecallsComplaints
2026 LEXUS ES 350E 4 DR BEV FWDNot Rated StandardStandard 00
2026 LEXUS ES 350H 4 DR HEV AWDNot Rated StandardStandard 00
2026 LEXUS ES 350H 4 DR HEV FWDNot Rated StandardStandard 00
2026 LEXUS ES 500E 4 DR BEV AWDNot Rated StandardStandard 00

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated 2026 version: engines and combined mpg
YearEPA modelEnginesCombined
2026ES 350e (19 inch Wheels)Auto (A1) 127
2026ES 350e (21 inch Wheels)Auto (A1) 121
2026ES 350hAuto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L 46
2026ES 350h AWDAuto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L 44
2026ES 500e AWD (19 inch Wheels)Auto (A1) 114
2026ES 500e AWD (21 inch Wheels)Auto (A1) 112

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare with another vehicle