2026 Lexus ES 500e First Drive Review: Trading Commuter Boredom for Electric Bite

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Bonerchill@reddit

A bumpy, potentially nauseating ride for passengers on city streets is exactly the experience one expects from a Lexus. /s

Why? Why has suspension tuning become so difficult for manufacturers?

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The 500e BEV is almost 800 pounds heavier than a 350h hybrid. Different weight distribution and center of mass, as well. But the vehicles still share the same platform. Legacy OEMs are still figuring out how to dial in the tuning.

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InfinitePossibility8@reddit

Everything needs to be ‘sporty’

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DocPhilMcGraw@reddit

I wish we could have a luxury brand that goes for a more timeless look inside and out instead of competing on who can be the most edgy.

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SushiRoe@reddit

My favorite EV is still the Audi q8 e-tron. If only its mileage was more in line with the new offerings.

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HamsterCapable4118@reddit

And if only it wasn’t total garbage in terms of actually working as expected. Etron stuff is a joke.

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Ombortron@reddit

Can you elaborate on that?

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SushiRoe@reddit

i think there's MMI issues, but the main complaint i hear about the etron is that it's mileage is way down compared to any estimates given. even more when it's cold.

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victorpaparomeo2020@reddit

I have a 2024 - for my wife. It’s a great car. Yes it’s not as efficient as other offerings but it’s a great car, drives incredibly well, super refined, fast and the ADAS tech works well. It’s built like a tank and the MMI and layout is better and more intuitive than the new junk they’re providing.

In European this time of year I get 21.5kwh per 100km. It’s good all told for a realistic 480+km. That’s just shy of 300 miles and great for such a big car.

Winter closer to 400km on a really cold day.

I have no issue with that.

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SushiRoe@reddit

honestly if that's what folks are getting in real world mileage, that is fantastic and i would shortlist as an EV. i've seen a few people reporting under 150 mi, esp when it gets cold. that puts it into a range where i can't risk that when i drive that kind of mileage every other week in a day. sometimes thats mileage to and from a large metropolitan area, which wouldnt be a problem to find a charge point for, but other's its to rural areas that don't have an extensive charging infrastructure.

i caveat that with i'm 1000% an edge case user and i dont blame the car for that.

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cpxchewy@reddit

I have an older 2022 model and it gets 200-210 miles in normal driving and does get to 150 in cold. Thats the only downside. Fast charging doesn’t hit more than 150kwh but it stays at 150kwh from 20% to 90% as a flat curve so I don’t notice issues there too.

It charges faster than my i5n which also gets the same range.
Other than that the car interior feels like a late 2010s car and you can’t tell it’s electric at all. That’s my favorite part of it.

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SushiRoe@reddit

Yeah the new one will most definitely get more range but the appeal of the q8 etron is the aesthetics. I don’t know if many automakers have nailed split headlight designs, Audi certainly hasn’t.

If it’s following the new q5/q6 design language, then I’m not holding my breath.

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cpxchewy@reddit

Err I meant the new one as in it’s just a refresh. It looks the same and has mostly the same interior.

Mine was called just the Audi etron and the refreshed one got rebranded to q8 etron

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victorpaparomeo2020@reddit

Older OG etron probably. New Q8 with 114kwh battery it’s a lot better. We drive very efficiently, precondition before departure and it rarely falls below 5c here.

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HamsterCapable4118@reddit

For the latest gen stuff (Q6, A6) it goes well beyond MMI unfortunately. People are getting locked out of their cars, the ADAS keeps failing, the trunk doesn’t work properly, and a host of other “real” issues and not just small stuff like CarPlay not working (though they also have that). It’s just a total disaster.

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SushiRoe@reddit

Yeah I was really only speaking on the previous platform. As someone who’s looking at an EV in the near future, I’ve all but eliminated Audi. A large part of that is the design language (interior and exterior) but it’s also they can’t sort out the software/hardware integrations.

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HamsterCapable4118@reddit

Ya that’s definitely a good decision. I totally regret trying Audi. Fortunately it’s a lease and I won’t be stuck with it.

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HamsterCapable4118@reddit

For the latest gen stuff (Q6, A6) it goes well beyond MMI unfortunately. People are getting locked out of their cars, the ADAS keeps failing, the trunk doesn’t work properly, and a host of other “real” issues and not just small stuff like CarPlay not working (though they also have that). It’s just a total disaster.

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Low-Umpire236@reddit

Friend’s infotainment firmware update fried the entire computer hardware. Audi has no readily available parts so they have to make one from scratch.

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Gunmetal_61@reddit

But then how is it going to match my gaming PC?

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by_a_pyre_light@reddit

AMG GT EV has entered the chat

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Classic-Jurrasic07@reddit

If you can stretch ur budget a bit, the new Ferrari is exactly that.

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DocPhilMcGraw@reddit

Which one? The Luce? I would not call that one a timeless look by any means.

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Classic-Jurrasic07@reddit

Check again, it’s designed by Jony Ive. The steering wheel looks like it could be from a race car from the 80’s. The switches, etc - just perfect.

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DocPhilMcGraw@reddit

I’m supposed to be impressed that it’s designed by Jony Ive? It looks like a Prius mixed with a Kia.

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Classic-Jurrasic07@reddit

We’re talking about the interior.

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axSupreme@reddit

It doesn't exactly fit in any time so I think "timeless" is an accurate description.

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lee1026@reddit

Cars last forever these days. So every new car is competing against the entire universe of used cars. Gotta stand out somehow.

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007meow@reddit

The sad thing is that the previous gen ES was actually pretty beautiful.

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mgobla@reddit

Genesis

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phredphish@reddit

Volvo / Polestar? Aside from their increasingly minimalist interiors...

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Uptons_BJs@reddit

If you can charge, the electric is really a no brainer. Just checked Lexus, and this is what pricing looks like:

350h: $51095 - Add $1400 for AWD, or $4800 to go from Premium to Premium+ trim
350e: $48795 for Premium, $57195 for Luxury (FWD only)
500e: $51795 for Premium, $60195 for Luxury

307 mile range for the 350e too

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Old_Ad_881@reddit

So for an extra $3700 i can get double the range, no charging anxiety and AWD? Yesh the hybrid is the no brainer.

Seriosuly though, i dont see the point of the EV. I drive an avalon and a family member an es300h. What we both like about these cars are how good they are for long highway miles. For this kind of range id save 20k and get a nissan leaf.

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Uptons_BJs@reddit

I'd argue that for $1400 less, you'd get a car with no need to fuel up again.

The gas savings should pay for the one time a year you really need to go on a super long roadtrip.

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Old_Ad_881@reddit

In a year or two the EV will depreciate probably 10k more than the hybrid. No one will buy the ev and we will see some insane lease deals within a year though.

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lee1026@reddit

If you have a PHEV and you charge at home, you don’t buy much gasoline.

Generally, when you are buying gasoline for a PHEV, you are pretty happy about it!

The main problem is that you still gotta do stuff like oil changes, which is very different from an EV.

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Uptons_BJs@reddit

I don't think the 350h is a plugin hybrid though, just a traditional hybrid with some electric motors and the classic toyota i4 fed through an eCVT.

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lee1026@reddit

Ah, that's fair. Yeah, don't get the appeal of spending a ton on the interior and stuff, but saving a few basic bucks on the drive train for a more usable system overall.

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charging_anxiety@reddit

So you're willing to pay an extra $3700 and get a hybrid.....Why wont you install a home charger, for under $1500 and completely get rid of gas.....There will be no charging anxiety, none whatsover . And now if you're doing road trips ...th 5% of year, you have charging stations installed across the country and you could use it ....but nonetheless, its your choice...Just saying my POV

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Dr__Nick@reddit

Electricity is super expensive in blue electric car bastions. Imagine when that demand spikes and the utilities and governments stop subsidizing the electric car owners?

I guess you can just spend $50k for some mooks to install solar panels on your roof.

20 years later, profit!

Real inspiring stuff.

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BrunoEye@reddit

There are very few places in the world where electricity is more expensive than fuel.

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lee1026@reddit

In the entire northeast, if you are paying public chargers rates for power, a Prius will use less dollars of energy per mile compared to almost any car you can buy.

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BrunoEye@reddit

This comment chain is about home charging.

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napzzz@reddit

What happens when the president starts an unprovoked war abroad and gas prices double?

Feels like electric cars are held to unreasonable standards.

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Old_Ad_881@reddit

I drive 300+ miles 1-2 times a month. I also live at an apt with no ability to charge. AWD is also a big deal and the ev with awd only gets 250 miles of range and costs more than the hybrid.

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charging_anxiety@reddit

That makes total sense...My bad, i assumed you had a home and thought you could install a home charger.... And you're right, if you live in an apt and drive 300+ miles frequently and no place to charge, the hybrid makes sense...
Check out evreadinesscheck it kinda said the same thing... use hybrid...

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kingofrums@reddit

That hybrid will be worth at least $3700 more for the life of the vehicle. If you are buying and not leasing, it’s financially irresponsible to get the EV just because of how severe the depreciation hit on them is.

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Old_Ad_881@reddit

Yeah this true. Evs depreciate the worse while the residuals of toyota hybrids are literally the highest in the industry. Although leasing an EV makes a ton of sense. Im guessing the ES EV will have crazy lease deals in a few months.

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charging_anxiety@reddit

For a new car, agreed!! but an used car, all the depreciatiion is all gone, and its a good deal...

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007meow@reddit

How often are you using max range?

If it’s that often, then sure, an EV may not be for you.

But for the people who aren’t constantly road tripping and can charge from home, EVs are amazing.

Lower fuel and maintenance costs along with comfort.

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit

It honestly hurts so much to watch the company that produced the IS, GS, and LS be reduced to loathsome ES. A car that was basically a rebadged Camry for the longest time.

Alas, companies like Toyota produced what sells...

Just kinda sad consider the legacy Toyota has in building extraordinary RWD sedans

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Uptons_BJs@reddit

I think you're overstating how good the Lexus stuff was - They were just RWD because that's what the competition was, not because they were anywhere close to top of class in driving dynamics.

Like, when it came to driving experience, in my experience the last gen RC and GS - the RC was easily worst of class, while the GS was close too.

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit

GS was highly regarded in terms of driving dynamics, interior fit and finish, and powertrain smoothness throughout four generations. The last gen dragged on for a bit too long, but that was only because Toyota didn't want to invest in developing a new one, and naturally, newer rivals started pulling ahead.

The LS redefined the full-size luxury sedan, and the IS was the only non-German sedan that was consistently able to compete with the 3 Series.

Beyond that, the JDM mid-sized sedans (Crown, Cresta, Chaser, Mark II, Mark X, etc) were all excellent cars. They all had a fine balance between luxury and sportiness, and then there was the Century, which speaks for itself.

My main point is, Toyota knows very well how to build an excellent RWD sedan. And unlike the Germans, they have long-term reliability, and maintenance doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

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aprtur@reddit

and the IS was the only non-German sedan that was consistently able to compete with the 3 Series.

I love me some Toyota's, but this is a stretch. The Infiniti G35/G37/Q50/Nissan Skyline sedans all were very competitive with the 3er, in some cases tying 3 series in comparison tests (V35 & V36 chassis were most competitive). The Q50 started losing its edge because it hadn't been refreshed in too long, but we'll see how the new gen coming out fares - it's looking promising.

I'm not sure what Toyota will do with the new direction of Lexus, but the IS would, in my opinion, best be nixed from Lexus and reintroduced under Gazoo Racing.

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hamburglar27@reddit

All of that reputational stuff is good but is meaningless if it doesn't translate into sales.

Since the mid 2010s, the IS was dwarfed in sales by the 3 Series/C-Class and same for the GS vs 5 Series/E-Class. The generations got old and outdated because Toyota knew it simply wasn't profitable to try and update them as frequently as the Germans did. The LS used to be competitive with the S-Class/7 Series but the final generation LS was a complete mess, and may have been the least reliable Lexus sedan in history.

Unlike these 3, the Lexus ES has always sold well and would even outsell the previous 3 combined some years. The reality is very few people were coming to Lexus for their RWD sports sedans these past few years, but plenty were coming to buy their reliable and more luxurious Camry/Avalon derivative.

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pastafariantimatter@reddit

This. The first few gens of LS and the second gen GS400/430 were notably good, it was downhill after that.

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

They still make RWD Crown and LHD available, but they don’t believe people in America and world would buy it.

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit

They only sell that in Japan, because in any other market it'd sell poorly. Europeans certainly wouldn't pick it over a 5 or A6, the Chinese and ME markets are saturated, and they won't move significant numbers in Africa, South Asia, Latin America, or Oceania.

The US market has spoken loudly and clearly that consumers want crossovers and trucks. If they do pick a luxury sedan, it had better have a German badge on the hood. By default, this means Canada doesn't get it either.

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Perth_R34@reddit

We get heaps of grey import Crown sedans in Australia.

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DaBanninator@reddit

TLDR: Wrong wheel drive shitbox

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Pseudonym_741@reddit

In all fairness, the ES has always been FWD.

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DaBanninator@reddit

But now it's replacing the LS in terms of size.

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit

I think this is only replacing the current ES

The LS and GS both died with no successor

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ethereal3xp@reddit

The LS and GS both died with no successor

No 1 to 1 replacements but the alternative are the new ES and the larger Crossever/SUVs that are still around.

The problem with the GS and LS (next gen possibility) is the non battery accommodating space due to rear wheel architecture.

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DaBanninator@reddit

If you listen to Lexus marketing this is the replacement to the LS with longer wheel base with lie flat rear seat.

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit

Then they're lying

The most expensive version of this car is way cheaper than even the cheapest 2025 LS. Not to mention the massive gap in performance and luxury.

It's probably marketing just trying to hype up this model and downplay the LS since that car is dead.

If Toyota were serious about making this a genuine LS successor, it'd be much more expensive and would have much more power.

Like always, this ES is more or less a very nice Camry. I suppose they've tried to differentiate it a bit more this time around

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Funderstruck@reddit

This car went from top of my list for replacement for my CTS to bottom in the last few months.

I can get past the fact it’s not as good looking as the previous ES.

But what I cant get past is the interior is such a major downgrade in layout and appearance. The IPad controlling everything is such a dumb design.

Also the fact you can get rear massaging seats but not front ones is asinine. Do they really think people buying a ES are getting chauffeured?

I feel like this car is going to sell like trash and you’re going to see a complete interior overhaul in a couple years.

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charging_anxiety@reddit

The thing is if you can buy a luxury brand and that too an EV, You should have no problem charging cause you should be able to afford a home charger, cause it's anywhere between 800 - 2000 dollars..
So the question is waht about folks who are leasing, and those who live in the apt or dont have access to home charging. I am sure you can afford Public charging...especially fast charging cause it can be anywhere from $30-$40 dollars for a full charge....and that should be a concern...make sure to

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V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit

Have seen the real car. I don’t doubt how roomy is, but the interior quality is definitely not like last gen.

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ethereal3xp@reddit

I think the transition was done on purpose. To lessen the overall car weight.

This new re-design = EV from ground up vs previous gen.

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Old_Ad_881@reddit

Except it's not. The 2025 es300h weighs 3730lbs and the 2026 es350h weight 4001lbs. The ev weighs 4608lbs.

Not sure how they made it gain 300lbs when the old es uses all steel suspension components.

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ethereal3xp@reddit

Except it's not

But indirectly it is. If they the interior as "hefty" as previous gen. You just add more weight.

You're right, overall it us heavier but its due to the larger battery.

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a1usiv@reddit

At least it looks better than the new Ferrari Luce.

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Baby-girl-54321@reddit

If Lexus keeps the reliability reputation intact, this thing will sell extremely well.

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CatDredger@reddit

If I needed a sedan this size, this would probably be it.

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belvedere58@reddit

FWD + EV does not equal a luxury sedan. With the torque of an EV motor, the rear wheels should really be the primary motivators.

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jdmb0y@reddit

Serious downgrade compared to its predecessor.

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ethereal3xp@reddit

Depends on what the buyer is looking for.

This new gen is probably lighter and more "fuel" efficient.

The smooth ride and quiet insulation apparently is still similar.

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UmaThurmish@reddit

why cant we get electric cars that are actually designed from the ground up to be electric cars. I really think all these Ice cars with a solid grille and converted to EV dont look good

the Honda E is a great example. too bad they discontinued it.

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