The 2026 Lexus ES has been completely redesigned, and the ES 350h hybrid sits at the centre of that story for Canadian buyers. Built on a new GA-K platform and powered by the sixth generation of the Lexus Hybrid System, the ES 350h produces 244 combined system horsepower and comes with standard all-wheel drive on every Canadian grade. It also debuts the newest version of the Lexus Interface multimedia system with a 14-inch touchscreen, and introduces Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 as standard across the board. This is not a mid-cycle refresh. The platform, the powertrain, the interior, and the infotainment system are all new for 2026.
The ES has been a cornerstone of the Lexus lineup since 1989, and the eighth generation takes a notably different approach from its predecessors. For the first time, the ES is offered exclusively with electrified powertrains in Canada, with the 350h hybrid joined by two new battery electric variants, the ES 350e and ES 500e AWD. The hybrid remains the entry point into the new ES family, and it arrives with a meaningfully upgraded powertrain.
What Is the Sixth-Generation Hybrid System?
The ES 350h uses a 2.5 L four-cylinder engine combined with a starter-generator, a front motor-generator, and a rear-mounted 54-hp e-Axle. The front motor-generator output has increased substantially for 2026, rising from 118 hp and 149 lb-ft to 201 hp and 199 lb-ft. Engine output also climbs, from 176 hp and 163 lb-ft to 186 hp and 173 lb-ft. Combined system output lands at 244 hp, up from 215 hp in the outgoing ES 300h.
The rear e-Axle drives the rear wheels on demand, creating standard AWD across all Canadian ES 350h grades. Torque distribution adjusts dynamically between 100:0 and 20:80 (front:rear) based on wheel speed, acceleration, and steering angle. The sixth-gen system also favours the electric motor more heavily during everyday driving than earlier generations did, keeping engine revs lower and the cabin quieter at typical road speeds. Manufacturer-estimated fuel consumption is 5.0 / 5.6 / 5.3 L/100 km (City / Highway / Combined).
- System output: 244 hp
- Fuel economy: 5.3 L/100 km combined
- Drivetrain: Standard AWD (rear e-Axle, all Canadian grades)
- Engine: 2.5 L four-cylinder + front and rear motor-generators
New Platform, New Interior
The redesigned GA-K platform was built from the ground up to support both HEV and BEV powertrains in the same body. For the ES 350h, the platform upgrade translates to a stiffer structure, variable gear ratio steering, and a multi-link rear suspension system, both firsts for the ES nameplate. The result is sharper steering response and better body control than the previous generation.
Inside, the 2026 ES cabin is noticeably more open. Slimmer seat construction and an expanded glass surface area create a brighter, more spacious feel without changing the exterior footprint. Lexus has also introduced two new door-trim treatments for the 2026 ES: bamboo layering and synthetic leather embossing, available on select grades. The 2026 model year also marks the first time the ES has been offered with an Executive VIP grade, providing a more relaxed and spacious rear cabin environment for passengers.
The New Lexus Interface
Every 2026 ES 350h comes with the newest generation of the Lexus Interface multimedia and connectivity system, displayed on a standard 14-inch touchscreen. The system includes Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect services, a natural-language voice assistant ("Hey Lexus"), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio.
The 12.3-inch multi-information display sits in the instrument cluster and supports full-screen navigation alongside vehicle status and hybrid system information. A wireless smartphone dock is standard on every ES 350h grade, and all connected services can be managed remotely through the Lexus App.
New to the 2026 ES, the system also includes Drive Recorder as standard, using the vehicle's exterior cameras to record and store footage without requiring a mounted dashcam. Up to 90 one-minute looping clips are stored onboard, with incident recordings saved automatically when the G-sensor is triggered.
Three Grades for Canadian Buyers
The 2026 Lexus ES 350h AWD is offered in three grades in Canada:
Signature features 19-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, a power trunk, 8-way power adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, NuLuxe upholstery, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and the full Lexus Interface package with a 14-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch multi-information display.
Premium builds on Signature, adding a headlamp washer and four active safety upgrades: Front Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, and Intuitive Parking Assist with auto braking.
Premium+ adds a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Audio system, a digital key with card key, head-up display, Around View Monitor, Advanced Park system, and a digital rear-view mirror.
Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 is standard on all three grades, bringing the latest generation of active safety technology to every ES 350h in Canada.
Key Takeaways
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Specification
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2026 Lexus ES 350h AWD
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System Output
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244 hp
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Fuel Economy (combined)
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5.3 L/100 km
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Drivetrain
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Standard AWD (all Canadian grades)
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Infotainment
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14-inch Lexus Interface (standard)
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Safety System
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Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 (all grades)
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Canadian Grades
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Signature, Premium, Premium+
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Platform
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Redesigned GA-K
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Learn More at Lexus of Saint John
The 2026 Lexus ES 350h is on sale now. Visit the team at Lexus of Saint John to explore the new ES lineup and learn more about the sixth-generation hybrid system in person.
