10 Options To The 2026 Lexus ES

The Lexus ES has been redone for the trendy period. The sedan has new styling, a recent inside, and a smorgasbord of latest electrified powertrains. Lexus’ new cabin incorporates a new look, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment system, in addition to an optionally available passenger display screen.

The ES is bigger by six inches or so, and options two hybrid powertrain choices based mostly on Lexus‘ 2.0-liter and a couple of.5-liter engines with front- or all-wheel drive. Lexus can even supply its new sedan as an EV, with a front-drive ES 350e variant and an all-wheel-drive ES 500e. The latter, which is nice for 426 miles of vary, takes goal at many electrified opponents. Nonetheless, it will not be on sale till 2026, so till then, listed below are some options to the 2026 Lexus ES.

To provide the newest and correct data doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from varied producers, in addition to different authoritative sources, together with Automobile and Driver and Edmunds. The fashions are introduced in no explicit order.

1

2025 Audi A7

Beginning MSRP: $73,295

Audi provides two flavors within the ES’ projected section, every making use of a mild-hybrid V-6. That is the primary, the A7. In contrast to the A6 beneath, it sports activities a sloping roof, which type of eats into the passenger house. Greater than something, the A7 is tech-forward, one thing the ES will little question lean into as nicely. The A7 provides a 12.3-inch heart display screen, which is built-in into one other decrease show for local weather controls. It offers the A7 a really futuristic look, however loads of these methods are distracting to make use of — a entice we’re hoping the ES does not fall into.

The A7 impresses in different places. The large V6 is a bit of inefficient, however the mild-hybrid system helps to assuage this considerably. Greater than something, it lends the A7 a sporty character we’re huge followers of, and Audi’s fast dual-clutch gearbox solely bolsters that. Efficiency is powerful, and the A7 drives nice, too. It is a very strong luxurious barge with a sensible trunk.

2

2025 Audi A6 Allroad

Beginning MSRP: $71,795

The Audi A6 is all that after which some, providing the identical drivetrain because the A7 sedan with the added practicality of a station wagon. In the meantime, the A6 Allroad enhances this enchantment by including only a pinch of off-road aptitude to the wagon with larger floor clearance. Nonetheless, the Allroad is definitely not meant for all roads, and its capability as an off-roader is proscribed by its milder clearance. Regardless of that, the A6 Allroad stays an attractive alternative for most of the causes the above A7 does.

That features the A7’s sporty mild-hybrid V-6 and its fast dual-clutch transmission. In fact, a really comparable and really tech-focused inside can also be current within the A6, which does imply that the A6’s interface can also be a bit distracting to make use of at instances, particularly if you’ll want to fiddle with the climate-control touchscreen whereas driving. Nonetheless, the A6’s giant cargo space and enhanced floor clearance make it a really competent each day cruiser. It is also price noting Audi provides two new plug-in A6s, although these weren’t included in our checklist as a result of they have not made their technique to the U.S. (but).

3

2025 Genesis Electrified G80

Beginning MSRP: $75,626

Lexus will supply the ES as an EV, too, and it feels honest to check out some luxurious opponents because of this. The Genesis Electrified G80 is one in all them, although that title alone is not doing it any favors. Nonetheless, the EV’s punch, acceleration, and wealth of normal options are going to be robust for the ES to beat, particularly given the premium appears that the G80 packs. Already, it appears extra upscale than the ES.

The Electrified G80 is loaded with normal driver aids along with the spectacular (however not intrusive) tech options, like its enormous twin screens and intelligent vary prediction software program. The inside is an actual stunner, too, and we have now a sense that is the place the EV will stand out towards the ES despite its shorter driving vary.

4

2025 BMW i4

Beginning MSRP: $59,075

The BMW i4 is one other shut ES competitor and is broadly one of many higher midsize EVs available on the market. The i4 rides easily and quietly like a luxurious EV ought to, and it has a surprisingly spacious cargo space. Throughout our testing, we match 4 passengers and a full day of provides within the trunk for a weekend of backpacking. Everybody’s packs match neatly behind the rear seats, and the i4’s 300+ miles of vary meant there weren’t any delays in getting house as soon as the weekend was performed.

Although the above specs are for the entry BMW i4, the M50 variant drives like an enormous electrical M automotive, with enormous energy and sporty dealing with, even when some numb steering will get in the best way. With 536 horsepower, it is nonetheless a riot, although positively out of vary of the upcoming ES. For now, base fashions, supplied in rear- or all-wheel drive, appear to be the very best various, and we’re wanting ahead to seeing how this stacks up towards the allegedly long-legged Lexus.

5

2025 Volvo S90 Plug-In Hybrid

Beginning MSRP: $66,845

On the different finish of the visible noise spectrum sits the luxurious, highly effective, and environment friendly Volvo S90. You would not comprehend it when wanting on the plug-in hybrid sedan, however the svelte Volvo packs some severe punch, and its 38 or so miles of all-electric vary offers you the very best of each worlds. However shopping for the Volvo over one thing like the brand new ES is an announcement, and a really minimalist, modernist one at that.

The Volvo feels distinctive amongst opponents. It is greater than a 5 Sequence, however nowhere close to as expensive and splendid as one thing like an S-Class. It will most likely be dearer than the ES, too. However for that cash, you get a few of the greatest seats within the enterprise positioned in a surprising inside that makes an attempt to dazzle you with its high quality, and never the quantity of accessible display screen actual property.

6

2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Beginning MSRP: $49,600

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is little question a smaller and cheaper various to the upcoming ES in most of its trims. That is evident within the Merc’s mild-hybrid drivetrains, and you have to step as much as the large (and irrelevant for the needs of this story) C 63 to get a real hybrid. Nonetheless, the C-Class has some redeeming components, like wonderful energy output given the sedan’s measurement. We’re additionally followers of the budget-luxury inside, which feels techy and superior given the automotive’s MSRP.

2025 introduced extra good issues to the C-Class lineup, like the newest iteration of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system. It is a bit of extra streamlined and comes accompanied by a brand new heart airbag to assist enhance security. Regardless of its hybrid-ish drivetrain, the C300 additionally delivers some strong gas economic system, and whereas it is not a straight match-up for the ES, it is nonetheless an possibility to think about when you’re within the neighborhood.

7

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE

Beginning MSRP: $76,050

Mercedes has an electrical various to its E-Class and an i5-fighter within the EQE. It is also supplied as an SUV, however we’ll stick with the sedan for now. Consistent with present Mercedes vogue, the EQE is dripping with new tech, from its long-legged electrical drivetrain to the astounding (and practically intimidating) optionally available Hyperscreen, which virtually turns the entire heart console into an enormous display screen. There are tons of driver aids current, and the EQE feels totally trendy because of this.

It is not as excellent because the i5 beneath, nevertheless. For one, the i5’s prolonged menus appear temporary and straightforward to make use of in comparison with the UI current within the Mercedes. The Hyperscreen rapidly turns into a burden, and the base 350 mannequin is not fairly as quick as you’d assume, regardless of the huge torque figures.

8

2025 BMW i5

Beginning MSRP: $68,275

In the meantime, the BMW i5 feels squarely on the right track for the ES. It is also among the best EVs on sale right this moment, and actually emblematic of what makes BMW’s 5 Sequence fashions so nice. There is a beautiful and splendid inside that’s actually solely rivaled by the likes of the previous Volvo and Genesis on this checklist, and it is fast like a BMW ought to be. The 5 Sequence provides loads of vary in lots of its trims, and luxury is at all times a precedence. The i5’s inside is what all electrical automotive interiors ought to be like: a silent reprieve from the world outdoors.

The i5 can also be sensible, and the again seats are simply as luxurious because the entrance, with sufficient room to haul 4 adults comfortably. The i5 has an enormous trunk, too. BMW makes the i5 really feel trendy because of its plethora of driver aids, huge screens, and ample tech. Nonetheless, all that tech is quite a bit to scroll via, and chances are you’ll end up poking round on the heart display screen a bit of an excessive amount of. Sadly, it does not supply a wagon or SUV various like Mercedes does.

9

2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Beginning MSRP: $63,600

Briefly, the brand new Mercedes E-Class fixes nearly every thing that is unsuitable with the EQE. A brand new E350 trim makes the big sedan rather more inexpensive, and final 12 months’s redesign considerably improved on the consumer expertise. There’s nonetheless loads of data coming via the screens, nevertheless it’s much less intrusive than the Hyperscreen. Greater than something, the brand new E-Class gives a compelling various to the 5 Sequence and the ES.

Predictably, the E-Class is huge and cozy, as any sedan on this house ought to be. There is a huge trunk to your issues, and adults match comfortably within the again. The E-Class rides fantastically, too, and the optionally available Airmatic suspension makes the E-Class glide alongside the pavement. Mercedes even provides a wagon various, a rarity on this section.

10

2026 BMW 550e

Beginning MSRP: $74,575

Proper now, BMW‘s plug-in hybrid 5 Sequence appears to be not simply the choose of the 5 Sequence lineup, however the very best competitor to the Lexus ES. It will little question be dearer, however BMW, as ever, ensures it feels price it. The 5 Sequence is an exceptional sedan, providing consolation and house in spades for all occupants, and this new high-powered assisted drivetrain delivers on vary and efficiency.

BMW leans extra into the tech behind the 5 sequence in 2026, with the newest iDrive software program and a dash-spanning curved show. It responds to your each whim, even when it can take a while to be taught all of the sedan’s new options, just like the hands-free driving software program. The most recent 5 Sequence feels actually high-tech, and its plug-in powertrain means it’s going to additionally pull double-duty on the commute.