2025 vs. Next-Generation 2026 Lexus ES: Comparing Comfort, Power, and Electrification

The Lexus ES has always been a symbol of balanced elegance, and the newest generation continues that legacy with elevated design and electrified performance. The 2025 Lexus ES is the culmination of a classic luxury sedan, offering renowned V6 power and highly-efficient hybrid options. However, the fully redesigned 2026 Lexus ES signals the future, debuting a new design language, an available All-Electric (BEV) lineup, and an enhanced luxury experience.

For drivers in the greater Atlanta area, this comparison from Hennessy Lexus of Atlanta explores how the 2026 ES evolves beyond the current 2025 version—delivering not just a comfortable sedan, but a glimpse into the next era of Lexus design and electric innovation.

What’s New for the 2026 Redesign?

• Full Electrification: The 2026 ES introduces all-electric variants (ES 350e, ES 500e) with a newly developed platform, alongside a highly refined sixth-generation ES 350h hybrid.
• Elevated Dimensions: The new ES is significantly longer and taller, with an extended wheelbase for a more spacious cabin and improved ingress/egress.
• Next-Generation Cockpit: A completely redesigned driver-focused interior features a 12.3-inch digital meter display and an upgraded 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen.
• Enhanced Safety: The new generation comes with the enhanced Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, featuring improved sensors and advanced support functions like Traffic Jam Assist.
• Executive Luxury: Luxury is reimagined with slimmed-down seat designs, available 3D-printed bamboo trim, and an Executive Package that includes reclining, massaging rear seats.

Performance Comparison: V6 Power to All-Electric Innovation

While the 2025 ES offered a mix of gas and hybrid powertrains, the 2026 model pivots toward a fully electrified future. The V6 gasoline option has been dropped in favor of an improved hybrid and two dedicated all-electric models, introducing the powerful DIRECT4 All-Wheel Drive system to the ES line.

Interior & Comfort

Step inside either Lexus ES model and you’ll find quiet luxury, but the 2026 redesign takes sophistication to the next level with a focus on an open, airy, and tech-integrated space. Both years deliver exceptional craftsmanship, yet the latest model integrates technology and artistry more seamlessly than ever before.

• 2025 ES: Classic Lexus interior with available wood trim, 12.3-inch display, NuLuxe® seating, and optional Mark Levinson® audio.
• 2026 ES: "Clean Tech x Elegance" design with a new 14-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, lowered window frames for better visibility, and enhanced acoustic isolation.
• New Features: Standard wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™, innovative 3D-printed texture elements, and an expanded ambient lighting color palette add comfort and visual warmth.
• Rear Comfort: The available Executive Package in 2026 introduces power-reclining, heated, and massaging rear seats, prioritizing second-row luxury.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Lexus has consistently led in safety innovation, and the 2026 ES continues that commitment with even smarter driver-assist features. Both model years include advanced systems, but the 2026 ES enhances capability through a more comprehensive software and hardware suite.

Exterior Design: Classic vs. Contemporary

The 2026 ES marks a significant departure, embracing a new design language inspired by the LF-ZC BEV concept. While the 2025 ES is defined by its smooth, established profile, the new model is bolder, featuring a more fastback-like silhouette and an assertive, lower stance.

• 2025 ES: Traditional spindle grille, a defined three-box sedan profile, and iconic L-shaped light signatures for a timeless luxury aesthetic.
• 2026 ES: Reimagined "Unified Spindle" front fascia, new Twin L-Signature Lamps, and a sleek, flowing silhouette that emphasizes forward motion.
• Wheels & Colors: New 19-inch standard wheels (with available 21-inch options) and fresh hues like Wavelength (a new exterior finish) highlight the 2026 lineup.

Choosing Between the 2025 and Next-Gen 2026 Lexus ES

If you desire the proven reliability and traditional luxury of the current ES—including its smooth V6 engine and classic interior design—the 2025 Lexus ES is the ideal choice. But if you are ready for Lexus’s electric future, seeking cutting-edge technology, new all-electric powertrains, and a bolder design, the 2026 Lexus ES takes that experience to a new level.

Both models share Lexus’s hallmark reliability, craftsmanship, and serene driving experience—ensuring that whichever ES you choose, you’ll enjoy unmatched comfort and confidence behind the wheel.