Lexus ES review

Exterior & design of the 2027 Lexus ES

• More than 5.1 metres long
• Swooping, coupe-like roofline
• One 19-inch wheel design

Officially, the Lexus ES is a four-door saloon, but its profile is less conventional. The continuous sweep of the roofline gives it a coupe-like shape that eliminates the traditional three-box form.

Among its most striking details are the "double-L" front light clusters, in which the daytime running lights form one L-shaped motif and the indicators sit below them in an inverted arrangement.

Overall, the ES is reasonably attractive, even if some of its detailing may prove divisive. The hybrid 300h and electric 350e look almost identical, save for an additional engine-cooling slot in the nose of the former.

Just one alloy-wheel design is offered: a 19-inch, aerodynamically optimised rim.

Dimensions of the 2027 Lexus ES

Length:

5,145mm

Width:

1,920mm (excluding mirrors)

Height:

1,560mm

Wheelbase:

2,950mm

Paint colours for the 2027 Lexus ES

There are six colours available for the Lexus ES, all of which cost €1,605. Each is a metallic shade: F White, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Grey, Sonic Platinum, Skylight Blue or Graphite Black.

Interior, practicality, tech & comfort of the 2027 Lexus ES

• Excellent build quality
• Generous equipment and technology
• Seats feel mounted too high

As ever with a Lexus, the fit and finish of the ES interior are excellent, with appealing materials and a strong sense of solidity.

"Hidden" buttons on the central dashboard strip illuminate only when the car is switched on, an example of what Lexus calls "shy technology", while the main digital interface operates slickly.

There is plenty of space inside, but the floor-mounted battery pushes the seats too close to the roof lining.

Getting comfortable in the driver's seat

Every Lexus ES has electric adjustment for both the steering wheel - a small, perfectly round design - and the driver's seat, providing a generous range of movement.

There are two issues with the resulting driving position. First, the view through the rear screen is limited regardless of seating height. Second, even with the driver's seat at its lowest setting, taller occupants may feel that their head is too close to the roof.

Infotainment and technology

Lexus presents its main infotainment system on a 14-inch central display, accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital instrument display.

The latter has angled corners, so its extremities are not obscured by the steering wheel, although it sits oddly in a scalloped section of dashboard trim without a cowl above it.

Both displays work well and present their information clearly, but most of the climate-control functions must be operated through the touchscreen. A few key shortcuts are provided by the hidden switches on the fascia, while the remaining controls are permanently accessible on the display.

Some advanced driver assistance system controls are frustratingly difficult to find on the touchscreen. It took considerable effort to locate the driver-monitoring system, for example, and its over-sensitive warnings made it particularly irritating when wearing sunglasses. It can only be switched off through the infotainment system while the car is stationary.

Aside from those issues, the technology in the Lexus ES is generally pleasant to use and generous in scope. Standard equipment includes a wireless smartphone-charging pad, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof and a 10-speaker sound system.

A 17-speaker Mark Levinson system is available on the hybrid in Ireland, but not on the electric model.

Practicality around the cabin

The front of the Lexus ES cabin includes several useful storage features. There are two cupholders at the front of the centre console, an under-dashboard storage area, door pockets with bottle recesses and a central cubby containing USB-C, HDMI and 12-volt sockets beneath a dual-hinged armrest.

The glovebox is tiny, however: with the car's book pack inside, little usable space remains, and even without it the compartment is shallow.

Rear-seat passenger space

The Lexus ES has a sizeable 2,950mm wheelbase, resulting in generous rear legroom. However, the rear bench feels too high above the floor, leaving taller passengers with their heads close to the roof and their thighs angled upwards without enough support from the seat cushion.

Legroom is sufficiently generous for Lexus to offer a reclining, ottoman-style rear seat in some markets. It is unlikely to come to Ireland, however, as it is associated with the Takumi specification that is not offered here.

Unfortunately, there is a pronounced central floor hump, so even in the electric model a middle-seat passenger must place their feet on either side of it.

Rear-seat features include door bins with bottle holders, a fold-down central armrest with two pop-out cupholders and a rubberised device tray, two types of map pocket on the front seatbacks, two USB-C ports, air vents and retractable window blinds.

Fitting child seats to the Lexus ES

With its large rear doors and generous legroom, loading a child seat into the back of the Lexus ES should be straightforward. There are two ISOFIX positions in the outer rear seats.

Boot space in the Lexus ES

There is no front luggage compartment, even in the electric ES 350e. A capacious 512-litre boot sits at the rear, but the back seats do not fold at all. There is a ski hatch for carrying longer items.

The cargo area is not especially versatile, largely because the ES is a saloon. Four lashing eyes and a small underfloor storage area, most of which is occupied by the tyre-repair kit, are the only additional features.

Safety in the Lexus ES

The Lexus Safety System+ includes front cross-traffic alert, a pre-collision system, front pedestrian and cyclist detection, front motorcyclist detection (daytime only), dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and braking, speed limiter with road sign assist, rear pedestrian detection, intersection turning assist, emergency steering assist, safe exit assist, lane change assist, proactive driving assist, a driver monitoring system, emergency driving stop system, automatic high beam, active brake lights, and automatic rear-flashing hazard lights, among a load of passive safety gear as well.

As you can see, that's a lengthy roster of ADAS items across the board. Euro NCAP has not yet assessed the Lexus ES.

Performance of the 2027 Lexus ES

• Hybrid or electric powertrains
• Electric power offered for first time
• ES 350e feels markedly slow

There are two powertrain choices in the Lexus ES range: a petrol-electric hybrid and a fully electric model. Both are front-wheel drive and use automatic transmissions.

The ES 300h hybrid uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor. It is a development of the powertrain in the preceding-generation Lexus ES, although its maximum power output has been reduced slightly to 196hp, with up to 270Nm available from the electric motor.

Lexus says the 1,850kg car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds.

The ES 350e uses a front-mounted electric motor derived from that of the Toyota bZ4X, producing up to 224hp and 269Nm.

Despite weighing almost 400kg more than the 300h, at 2,245kg, it has the same official 0-100km/h time of 8.0 seconds.

Driving the Lexus ES 350e on UK roads

Words by Matt Robinson on 31 July 2026

The Lexus ES 350e initially makes a positive impression. It moves away smoothly and feels serene and composed, suggesting that electric power suits the Lexus emphasis on relaxed driving.

Its ride and refinement are less convincing once conditions deteriorate. On smooth tarmac at less than 80km/h, the ES 350e is subdued and comfortable, much like its hybrid predecessor.

On poorer surfaces, however, that composure begins to fade. Even on the 19-inch wheels fitted to Irish cars, the ES can thump over medium-sized depressions.

Coarse motorway surfaces generate a surprising amount of tyre noise, while wind noise around the panoramic roof becomes noticeable above 80km/h.

The suspension also struggles to remain composed on uneven back roads. The ES is not harsh, but its body can float and wobble as the suspension attempts to deal with repeated high-frequency undulations.

Handling has never been the ES's strongest attribute, but it is secure enough through corners. Body lean is present without being excessive, while the steering is accurate and quick, though light and short on feedback.

There is plenty of mechanical grip, but the front-wheel-drive chassis offers little of the adjustability or engagement found in some rear-wheel-drive rivals.

The greater concern is performance. Not every electric car needs extremely rapid acceleration or enormous torque, particularly when such performance may be difficult for inexperienced drivers to manage.

Nevertheless, effortless acceleration is part of the appeal of an electric car, especially in the luxury market. The motor used in the bZ4X feels underpowered in the much heavier ES 350e.

Hence, the ES 350e is not quick. It takes time to accelerate from 50-100km/h, while its modest 269Nm output is particularly apparent during overtaking and when joining a motorway from a short slip road.

A luxury electric car should offer effortless performance, which the ES 350e lacks. It would be more convincing with greater power and torque, while a more sophisticated suspension system could improve its behaviour on poor surfaces.

For much of the time, the Lexus ES 350e is pleasant to drive, provided it is not pushed. In less favourable conditions, however, it needs stronger performance, better body control and improved rolling refinement.

Range, battery, charging and running costs of the 2027 Lexus ES

• One battery capacity
• Official range of up to 581km
• Moderate charging speeds

The ES 350e is available with one battery capacity. Its 400-volt electrical architecture also means its maximum DC charging speed is lower than those of several key rivals.

Battery options and official range

The Lexus ES 350e uses an NMC lithium-ion battery with 77kWh gross and 72kWh usable energy capacity. Every electric ES sold in Ireland has 19-inch wheels and the same specification, resulting in an official range of up to 581km.

Real-world range and efficiency of the Lexus ES

We drove the Lexus ES 350e in an ambient temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, so the climate-control system ran continuously to cool the cabin. We also used the ventilated front seats.

The test route was neither exceptionally hilly nor demanding and included only short motorway sections, where electric cars tend to be least efficient.

The Lexus slightly bettered its official 16.0kWh/100km figure, indicating 15.9kWh/100km over the 85km route. Drivers who spend more time on motorways may not achieve such a favourable result.

Even at 15.9kWh/100km, the usable battery capacity suggests a real-world range of about 450km rather than the official 581km.

Charging the Lexus ES

The ES 350e has a maximum DC charging rate of 150kW, which is lower than those of several important rivals. The Mercedes EQE reaches 170kW, the BMW i5 205kW, the Audi A6 e-tron 225-270kW and the 800-volt Volvo ES90 up to 350kW. Lexus quotes 28 minutes for a 10-80 per cent DC charge.

The ES can be fitted with 22kW AC charging as an option, allowing a 10-100 per cent charge in four hours.

The same charge takes about eight hours at 11kW on three-phase AC and more than 10 hours using a typical 7.4kW domestic wallbox.

Servicing the Lexus ES

Lexus recommends maintenance every year or 16,000km for its cars, including electric models, so this interval applies to both the ES 300h and ES 350e.

Lexus ES warranty

The standard Lexus warranty covers all vehicles for three years or 100,000km. Further cover is provided for the battery and propulsion systems of hybrid and electric models, although the terms differ by powertrain.

The ES 300h's system is covered by a hybrid battery warranty lasting five years or 100,000km, whichever comes first. This covers the hybrid battery, its electronic control unit, the hybrid system control unit, the inverter and the converter.

A hybrid-battery health check is included when the car is serviced within the official Lexus network. If it passes, the battery cover is extended by 12 months or 15,000km. Subject to annual checks, this cover can continue for up to 15 years or 1,000,000km, whichever comes first.

In the ES 350e, the electric motor, battery, inverter and converter are covered for five years or 100,000km. Lexus also guarantees that the battery will retain at least 70 per cent of its original capacity for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.

Irish pricing & rivals to the 2027 Lexus ES

• ES range starts at €69,330
• ES 350e costs from €71,525
• One specification offered in Ireland

All Lexus ES models are sold in Ireland in one Dynamic specification, although the ES 300h can be upgraded with a €5,110 Tech Pack, bringing its price to €74,440.

The pack adds a 360-degree camera system, smart digital key and card key, head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, advanced parking assistance and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system.

The ES 300h Dynamic is the least expensive model at less than €70,000, while the electric ES 350e costs almost €2,200 more.

The BMW i5 starts at €83,415, but even the entry-level i5 eDrive40 produces 340hp and 400Nm, giving it much stronger performance than the ES 350e. It is also more rewarding to drive, has an official range of more than 600km and charges more quickly, helping to justify its higher price.

The comparison is similar with the 800-volt Audi A6 e-tron, priced from €74,330, and the Volvo ES90, priced from €79,995. The Volvo offers an official range of 664km, produces 333hp and 480Nm and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Verdict - should you buy the 2027 Lexus ES?

The familiar Lexus attributes apply to the ES: understated exterior styling, an interior with excellent fit and finish and generous technology for the price. In many respects, it is a credible contender in the luxury saloon market.

The ES 350e nevertheless feels underdeveloped beside its strongest rivals. Performance is not everything, but its outputs are modest for a luxury saloon, while its ride and refinement are also imperfect.

The Lexus costs less than equivalent Audi, BMW and Volvo models, but it feels less sophisticated to drive than those European alternatives. The electric ES is a good car, but it falls short of the standards required to excel in this competitive sector.