Car review: Lexus ES

Posted 13 November, 2026 Mark Borlace

Lexus believes purchasing a luxury car isn’t just about the drive but how it makes you feel.

The car should also be a passport to a luxurious life of exclusive dining, services and events including golf days at clubs most people can only dream of playing.

The launch of the new Lexus ES mid-size sedan coincided with Lexus extending its complimentary Encore program (probably the industry’s best after-sales package) from three to five years.

The ES comes with the base Signature package which includes Lexus’ five-year warranty, capped-price servicing, roadside assistance, complimentary service-loan vehicles, connected vehicle technology, and a suite of lifestyle benefits.

Interior and comfort

The ES interior has a premium and uncluttered feel, with refined materials throughout. Adjustable digital lighting in the door trims are a nice, but not gaudy touch.

Rear seating offers generous room, and in the front, the driver’s seat and steering wheel are both heated. The ES has eight-way power-adjustable front seats, with two-way lumbar support for the driver’s seat.

The ES also includes: 

• Shift-by-wire shift lever
• Dual-zone climate control with proximity responsive hidden switches
• Panoramic roof with electronic sunshade
• Electrochromic (auto-dimming) rearview mirror
• Ambient interior lighting
• Seventeen-speaker Mark Levinson 3 premium audio system
• A centre console with a handy dual-way opening lid.

And golfers will have no problem fitting their golf bag in the boot, because there isn’t a spare wheel.

Powertrains and performance

The ES range offers a battery-electric (BEV) powertrain for the first time. Buyers can choose between a smooth and efficient fifth-generation 2.5-litre hybrid in two-wheel drive, or the newly developed battery-electric option in either two-wheel-drive or the flagship all-wheel-drive ES 500e.

The performance of the BEV models isn’t the “kick in the back of the seat” type acceleration. Instead, it has a continuous pull to speed feel which is probably what people will want in a luxury sedan.

Electric specifications and charging

The front-drive ES 350e produces 165kW from its single front electric motor, while the dual-motor ES 500e AWD is the most powerful ES to date, with a combined system output of 252kW.

The 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery underpinning the ES BEV supports 22kW three-phase AC charging and 150kW CCS2 DC charging, helping to top up the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 28 minutes.

Ride and handling

The suspension on all models, including the BEVs with adaptive variable suspension, managed the 2.2 tonne effortlessly.

Road noise levels varied greatly across different road surfaces, but on the smooth freeway, the ES was whisper quiet. The pick of the bunch is the ES 350e offering a good balance between performance while delivering a good ride and handling.

Lexus encore lifestyle benefits

Lexus’ Encore program includes access to dining and cultural events, preferential treatment at selected hotels in Australia and New Zealand, discounted premium fuel at participating Ampol service stations, and pay-per-use access to more than 800 airport lounges worldwide.

Verdict

The Lexus ES is probably the best value luxury sedan under $100,000 in Australia. With a premium cabin, a choice of hybrid and electric powertrains, and the extended Encore ownership program, it offers a lot of luxury for the money.