The politics, market forces, and strong feelings about electric vehicles – part of the daily diet of automotive discourse in 2026 – are going to have to wait a moment. As I accelerate through a sweeping left-hand turn in the new, fully electric Lexus ES 500e, my thought is more basic than analytical. “Shit, this thing’s fast.”In fact, with a combination of easy power and silent operation, to synergize with the ride comfort and interior amenity set that you’d expect of the long-running Lexus sedan nameplate, this might just be the best ES ever made? Certainly, it’s in the conversation.For seven generations, the ES has been the most vanilla offering in the brand’s portfolio, a quiet and capable updated version of your neighborhood Camry. That front-driver, diet luxury car flavor is still available with the updated eighth-gen ES, but the all-wheel drive EV variant of the car is a lot more toothsome for those who care about driving. The New 2026 Lexus ES: What’s Hot? Lexus All-new EV powertrains, including the swift dual-motor version Unexpectedly design-forward sheetmetal; clean and calming interiors Ultra quiet operation and a killer optional hi-fi system The fact that I’m writing about an ES EV, as opposed to a hybrid or ICE-only powertrain, is the biggest update for this new-gen Lexus. Parent company Toyota has refused to be rushed in its rollout of pure-EV models, and may have hit the timing perfectly, be it by luck or strategy.Sure, EV sales in the U.S. have flatlined in the last year, with federal incentives dead and resulting ground-level pricing higher than ever. On the other hand, Tesla’s axing of the Model S and Model X will leave some room in the market for conquest sales to pre-built EV shoppers.For 2026, Lexus is offering two battery-electric models for the first time, the smaller one a single-motor front-driver, and the dual-motor all-wheel-drive ES 500e that I’ll focus on for this review. Both versions share a 74.7-kilowatt-hour (nominal) battery pack, and both peak at fast-charging speeds of 150 kilowatts (with an onboard 11-kW AC charger, as well).The more powerful 500e makes a reasonable 338 horsepower between its two motors, but the car feels quick with a 0-60 run of 5.1 seconds, according to Toyota. Those specs seem light compared with Tesla numbers, of course, but the reality is a big potent sedan that can aggressively dice with highway traffic in SoCal. Not Playing Safe With Styling 2026-lexus-es-500e-02Lexus has a clear corporate identity for its newly bolstered EV range. The ES sheet metal is, as you’d expect, a complete departure from the outgoing car, and wears a grilleless nose that’s a toned down version of what you’ll find on the Lexus RZ. (Oh, and spoiler alert: We had a look at the upcoming TZ electric three-row SUV model, and its got the same schnoz.)This isn’t your daddy’s ES by a long shot. The team has slashed the sedan’s already exotically bent body panels with accents of gloss black, on the front and rear fascias and with a big gesture along the bodyside. To my eyes, the overall effect carries off a lot better in one of the brighter colors offered, but isn’t conventionally pretty in any hue. It is dramatic, though.Inside, the story is much the same, but more successful, at least in my middle-aged white guy-view (in other words, 20 years younger than the average ES customer). The design is restrained yet interesting – especially with cool patterning and texture on the door cards. I couldn’t find a single chrome or glossy accent in the entire car; designers have gone all out with matte finishes and soft touchpoints everywhere.The infotainment system is presented via a 14-inch touchscreen display that is, thankfully, set low enough in the dash to not interrupt my eyeline when driving. (Note that I’m 6-foot-5, so my head’s up pretty high, but I’m confident my short kings can make this work just as well.) Lexus has new software and an interface that can display my three preferred features in big tiles on the home screen, or the polar opposite of the approach taken by some German automakers I won’t name.The system, which makes use of a new, smarter logic for finding charging on long drive routes, and interesting additions like an integrated drive recorder, was simple to get the hang of in basic driving. Deep customization options – including settings for turning active safety system alarms on/off to suit your preference – are mixed with easy-to-read graphics and ultra-fast screen response. It's a deep ecosystem of technology that I can't wait to spend more time with.The optional Mark Levinson stereo – 17 speakers, 1800 watts – is in and of itself worth the price of admission. Is The 2026 Lexus ES 500e A Driver's Car? lexus-es-500e-luxury-coppercrest-black-030The reason for focusing on the ES 500e spec for this HotCars’ review is that it’s the most driverly of the bunch… but it’s not a true driver’s car. That isn’t really in ES DNA, to be fair.The model has grown in size and, of course, weight with the big battery pack, but the AWD system and added power make up for both and then some. There’s nothing about the handling character that made me want to charge down a coastal road, but the ES steers precisely (with the lightest touch of road feedback), and grips well enough in fast corners.The car doesn’t feel nimble, but there’s a smoothness in the way it applies power that is quite satisfying. There’s something very satisfying about cruising swiftly in a quiet, comfy sedan that, while not pulse-pounding, I appreciate more and more the older I get.Lexus expects that something like 80% of customers for this new ES will opt for the hybrid. 2026 Lexus ES 500e Specs A "Mild" Hybrid Indeed I did get time in the ES 350h Hybrid as well, and while it’s still a very sensible, very refined daily driver tool, there isn’t even a whiff of enthusiasm about it. Lexus expects that something like 80% of customers for this new ES will opt for the hybrid, which says a lot about the segment and the brand. And though driving enthusiasts will no doubt find different ways to spend $50k-ish on a vehicle, people who’re simply looking for “a nice car” will think they’ve died and gone to tan-leather heaven. How To Build The Lexus ES 500e The Right Way Lexus Here’s what you do: Spend your money on the dual-motor 500e, obviously, but then keep the options light after that.My ES build starts with the 500e Premium AWD trim, finished in Copper Crest (the best color) and trimmed in the Palomino NuLuxe (aka tan faux leather). I’ll stick with the 19-inch wheel as I prefer that design, despite the size feeling a little dinky. All in that’d be $51,795 for an ultra-comfortable, safe, and rapid car you’d be happy to put a million miles on.Now, will I miss the banging Mark Levinson stereo and the wicked bamboo trim that comes with the Luxury trim? I will, absolutely. But with that top trim starting at about $8k more ($60,195 MSRP), it’s a sacrifice I can stomach.In the lower $50k range, however, the value vs. luxury competitors becomes pronounced. The BMW i5, Mercedes-Benz EQE and Audi A6 e-tron all trade in the lower sixties, and especially the Audi has better range and faster charging. But saving ten grand helps salve a lot of those EV spec sheet wounds in my book. One more quick note – I don’t know where else to put it – when you have a minute, check out the accessories on the “build your own” tool for the new ES. There’s a selection of dog safety stuff that’s downright adorable. HotCars Take: Love It, Leave It, or Mod It? Lexus In a decade or so I’m sure I’ll be tickled by the mods people do on electric cars. We already know that there’s a burgeoning space in the Tesla community; when the JDM crowd starts hot-rodding slammed Lexus ES’, I’m sure I’ll be here for it. (And of course the dog stuff, don’t forget the dog stuff.)But for today, buy the stock car, take a minute to customize your profile for ease of access to all of your favorite services and content, and enjoy the drive.The 2026 Lexus ES 500e isn’t a sports sedan, and it doesn’t reinvent the EV formula, but it may very well be the best ES Lexus has ever built. Quiet, quick, comfortable, and finally interesting, it’s a luxury car that feels perfectly tuned for the moment.