The New Lexus ES 350h Is Bigger, Gets All Wheel Drive For The First Time And Returns 46 MPG

The eighth-generation Lexus ES is now on sale, and the headline change for the hybrid model is one that buyers in colder or wetter climates have been asking for since the car launched: all-wheel drive is finally an option. The 2026 ES 350h pairs a new sixth-generation hybrid system with either front-wheel drive or, for the first time, an AWD setup that adds an electric motor at the rear axle. Both versions produce 244 horsepower, up from 215 hp in the outgoing ES 300h.

Pricing for the ES 350h starts at $49,700 in the US before the $1,395 delivery fee, bringing the on-the-road starting figure to $51,095 (approximately £40,400) for the front-wheel-drive Premium trim. The all-wheel-drive Premium starts at $52,495 (approximately £41,500). UK pricing has not yet been confirmed but is expected to be announced closer to the car’s arrival in dealerships, which Lexus has scheduled for June 2026.

For buyers weighing up the hybrid against an electric alternative, the ES 350h sits alongside the new ES 350e and ES 500e battery-electric models in the same lineup. All three share the same platform, the same body shell and almost identical styling. The only visual differences are a front bumper air intake on the hybrid and the location of the fuel door versus the charge port. That shared architecture is a first for both the ES and the Lexus brand.

What The Hybrid System Actually Delivers

The sixth-generation hybrid setup under the bonnet combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 186 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque with a front motor generator putting out 201 hp and 199 lb-ft. Power goes through an electronically controlled CVT to the front wheels. On all-wheel-drive models, a 54 hp electric motor mounted at the rear axle provides drive to the rear wheels on demand, with the system capable of shifting torque distribution anywhere between 100:0 front-to-rear and 20:80.

Fuel economy on the front-wheel-drive model is rated at 46 MPG combined on the EPA cycle, with 48 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway. The all-wheel-drive version comes in at 44 MPG combined. Those are improvements over the outgoing ES 300h, and for a car of this size sitting in the luxury segment, they are competitive numbers.

Lexus says the new hybrid system leans harder on its electric motor during everyday driving, keeping engine revs lower and the cabin quieter. Additional sound deadening includes a microfibre material in the engine’s air intake, a larger exhaust muffler, a flexible coupler to reduce vibration transfer, and Active Noise Control through the audio speakers.

A Bigger Car With More Space

The 2026 ES is noticeably larger than the car it replaces. The wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer, the body is 6.5 inches longer overall, 2.2 inches wider and 4.5 inches taller. That translates directly into more room inside. Rear seat legroom grows by 1.4 inches, front seat shoulder room by 1.6 inches and front hip room by 1.9 inches. Both front and rear hip points sit higher than before, which Lexus says makes getting in and out of the car easier.

The seating position is higher too, which will suit buyers who have grown used to the raised driving position of an SUV but want to move back into a saloon. It is a deliberate move by Lexus to make the ES feel less low-slung and more accessible without turning it into a crossover.

Technology And Interior

Inside, every ES 350h gets a 14-inch touchscreen running the latest Lexus Interface system alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument display ahead of the driver. The infotainment supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, and over-the-air software updates. A wireless phone charger is standard.

The Premium trim includes a 10-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, NuLuxe upholstery and ambient interior lighting. Step up to Premium+ and you get a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson surround sound system, a head-up display, Digital Key 2.0 smartphone access, Traffic Jam Assist for hands-free low-speed driving on motorways, and Lane Change Assist that can automatically perform overtakes while monitoring surrounding traffic.

Electronic door handles are standard across the range and include Safe Exit Assist, which warns occupants if a vehicle or cyclist is approaching before they open the door. It is a small feature that could prevent a serious accident, particularly on busy urban roads.

Safety Kit

Every 2026 ES comes with Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, the latest version of the brand’s active safety suite. The headline additions over the previous system include Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, which adds steering support during an emergency manoeuvre, and Intersection Turn Assist, which detects vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians at junctions and can apply automatic braking.

The full suite includes adaptive cruise control with an Eco mode, lane tracing assist, lane departure warning with steering correction, road sign recognition, automatic high beams and Proactive Driving Assist, which uses the car’s camera and radar to provide gentle braking or steering input to help maintain safe following distances.

On Premium+ trims, Traffic Jam Assist adds hands-free driving capability in slow-moving motorway traffic, including the ability to bring the car to a complete stop and pull away again as traffic moves.

Full Pricing

US pricing for the complete ES lineup, including delivery fees, is as follows:

ES 350e (Battery Electric)

• ES 350e Premium FWD: $48,895 (approximately £38,700)
• ES 500e Premium AWD: $51,895 (approximately £41,000)
• ES 350e Luxury FWD: $57,295 (approximately £45,300)
• ES 500e Luxury AWD: $60,295 (approximately £47,600)

ES 350h (Hybrid)

• ES 350h Premium FWD: $51,095 (approximately £40,400)
• ES 350h Premium AWD: $52,495 (approximately £41,500)
• ES 350h Premium+ FWD: $55,895 (approximately £44,200)
• ES 350h Premium+ AWD: $57,295 (approximately £45,300)

All prices include the $1,395 delivery, processing and handling fee. UK pricing is expected to be confirmed ahead of the car’s arrival in dealerships in June 2026. All 2026 ES models are assembled at the Toyota Motor Kyushu plant in Japan.

For buyers sitting in the £40,000 to £45,000 bracket, it is worth noting that the ES 350h Premium FWD at its estimated UK equivalent could land just above the £40,000 threshold for the VED expensive car supplement, which adds £440 per year to the road tax bill for the first five years. UK pricing will determine whether the base hybrid falls above or below that line, but it is something buyers should factor in.