Lexus ES — model-year timeline & key facts
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Compiled from the Lexus ES deep-research dossier; researched 2026-09-21. UNVERIFIED flags from the source research are preserved verbatim.
Key facts
| Powertrain | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Power | 244 |
| Battery | UNVERIFIED (6th-gen system) |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.2 (AWD, tested) |
| New price US | 50995 |
| New price EU | UNVERIFIED — UK went EV-only; hybrid availability varies |
| New price CN | UNVERIFIED |
| Used price signal | 2021 ~$32k avg; 2022 ~$28–34k; 2024 300h ~$19–25k |
| Value call | Used 2022 is the value king vs new 2026 |
| Sweet-spot year | 2022 |
| Years to avoid | 2019 (no CarPlay); 2026 new (price jump, unproven) |
| Reliability flag | Low — 7th gen proven; 8th gen too early but Toyota hybrid lineage |
| Biggest risk | 2026 price premium + unproven long-term record |
| Community verdict | The nicest boring car — 2026 is a nicer, pricier version of the same answer |
Model-year timeline 2021–2026
| Year | Generation / changes / reliability / used prices |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 7th gen (2019–2025) · ES 300h (2.5L hybrid, 215 hp), ES 350 (3.5 V6, 302 hp), ES 250 (2.5 AWD, 203 hp) · Proven · Takata-era airbag campaigns · Avg ~$32k (CarBuzz, 172 listings) |
| 2022 | 7th-gen facelift · Unchanged · Facelift year: LSS+ 2.5, updated touchscreen · None major · ~$28–34k |
| 2023 | Carryover · Unchanged · Proven · None major · ~$26–33k |
| 2024 | Carryover · Unchanged · Proven · None major · ~$25–32k; 300h $19–22k at <100k mi |
| 2025 | 7th-gen final year · Unchanged · Proven; "slow, old and brilliant" (Edmunds) · None major · ~$30–38k low-mile |
| 2026 | 8th gen · ES 350h: 6th-gen hybrid, 244 hp, FWD/AWD, 46/44 mpg; ES 350e/500e BEV; V6 dropped · Too early; early niggles: brake modulation, phantom warnings, infotainment audio bug · None yet · New: $48,795–$60,195 |
Sweet-spot year: 2022
Years to skip: 2019 (no CarPlay); 2026 new (price jump, unproven)