2026 Lexus ES Electric Sedan: Luxury Comfort Meets Performance Limitations

The 2026 Lexus ES has gone all-electric for the first time, and a new UK road test puts the executive sedan head-to-head with the German benchmark. According to a review by EV Powered, the eighth-generation ES delivers the comfort and cabin polish Lexus is known for, but its powertrain, range, and charging speeds fall short of rivals like the BMW i5.

Where the ES wins on the showroom floor

The reviewer credits Lexus for a meaningful step up in space and luxury execution. The new ES rides 16.5 cm longer than its predecessor, with half of that added to the wheelbase, and rear legroom that fits a 6'5" passenger behind an equally tall driver. In Takumi trim, the rear bench adds heated, cooled, and massage functions, a reclining seat, and a powered ottoman leg rest. Rear occupants can also slide the front passenger chair forward remotely, and both outboard rear seats get angled phone mounts and chargers.

Up front, redesigned seats are thinner and more supportive, though the reviewer flags a narrow back and a slightly perched driving position for broader frames. The boot carries 512 litres under a fastback-style "boot-less" lid, and the exterior adopts Lexus's "Clean Tech x Elegance" design, with a smoothed-off spindle grille, L-shaped adaptive LEDs, and black side mouldings meant to disguise the taller roofline. Interior materials run from faux leather at the entry level to semi-aniline leather higher up, with a pale bamboo insert on the doors that lets the ambient lighting diffuse through.

Where it loses to the i5

Despite the comfort gains, EV Powered rates the ES powertrain "well behind rivals," singling out range and charging speeds as weaker than competing executive EVs such as the BMW i5. The ES is built on an adapted version of the previous model's platform rather than a clean-sheet EV architecture, which may help explain the gap against newer German competitors.

What to watch before you buy

• Daily driving vs. long-distance use. If the ES is a commuter and family hauler, the cabin wins are real. If you regularly drive beyond a single charge, the i5-class range and DC charging curve deserve a back-to-back test drive.
• Spec and trim. Faux leather entry cars meet minimum luxury expectations; Takumi delivers the rear-seat experience Lexus is pitching. The upgrade pays for itself only if the back seat actually gets used.
• Charging ecosystem. Battery technology and infrastructure keep moving — a Dongfeng 1.5 MW charger was unveiled recently, and Vattenfall's InCharge pilot is expanding shared charging spots — but neither changes what this specific car can accept at any given stall.
• Pricing reality. The review highlights the ES's pricing as a strength against German rivals, though exact figures vary by market and trim. Compare the out-the-door number, including any incentives and tax rebate hurdles, before signing.

The Lexus ES now has the refinement, space, and pricing case to deserve a test drive. The open question is whether its range and charging numbers let it compete beyond the school run.