2026 Lexus ES 500e

• The 2025 Lexus ES 500e features a sleek, aerodynamic design inspired by the LF-ZC concept.

• Available in both hybrid and battery electric variants, catering to diverse customer needs.

• Introduces innovative interior features like Responsive Hidden Switches and Sensory Concierge.

First Look — Lexus Puts the Spindle on Ice

Design That Breathes

The 2025 Lexus ES 500e dropped at the Shanghai show, and yeah—it looks the part. The lines are cleaner now, pulled tighter. Lexus leaned into the proportions this time: lower stance, longer nose, that visual weight shift to the rear that hints it might actually drive as good as it looks.

That big, shouty spindle grille? Gone. What’s in its place is more restrained—still unmistakably Lexus, but less aggressive, more streamlined. It draws from the LF-ZC concept car, which showed up with similar surfacing and lighting. The ES 500e adopts that philosophy but keeps it grounded for production.

Under the Skin — Hybrid and Electric Options

Powertrains Without the Fluff

Lexus is going both ways with this one—hybrid and BEV. No final numbers yet, but expect a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor in the HEV, which should be good for your usual blend of efficiency and low-end shove.

The full-electric version is the one Lexus seems most interested in pushing. They’ve built in more structural rigidity and aim to keep things smooth, quiet, and predictably composed. Nothing flashy in the numbers yet—this is about polish, not headline-grabbing torque figures.

Inside the ES 500e — It’s the Subtle Stuff

Touch, Not Flash

If there’s one word for the cabin, it’s intentional. Responsive Hidden Switches are exactly what they sound like—controls that disappear into the trim until you need them. Think luxury without overkill.

There’s also a new Sensory Concierge system that subtly tunes the interior to match your mood or inputs. No gimmicks—just heat, light, scent, and sound managed in a way that feels more ambient than reactive.

Rear-seat room is solid. Materials feel rich without screaming money. Lexus didn’t reinvent its own wheel here, just refined the feel.

Where It Lands — Market Fit and Competition

The Electric Middle Lane

Lexus is slotting the ES 500e right into the mid-size luxury lane. Think BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class. But while those two still straddle ICE and electrification, Lexus is nudging further into that electric middle ground.

Global rollout starts mid-2026. Pricing’s still under wraps, and that’ll matter—because spec-for-spec, the ES 500e is going to need sharp positioning to pull eyes from the Germans.

For now, it’s less about shouting and more about showing up polished, electric, and just bold enough to make a second look worth it.

Category	Specification
Performance	338 hp (252 kW)
Powertrain	Dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD)
Transmission	eAxle
Range	610 km (379 miles) CLTC
Charging	150 kW DC fast charging
Wheelbase	2,950 mm (116.1 in)
Length	5,140 mm (202.4 in)
Width	1,920 mm (75.6 in)
Height	1,555–1,560 mm (61.2–61.4 in)
Curb Weight	1,785–2,285 kg (3,935–5,038 lb)

Source