The 2026 Lexus ES 350h. Photo: Lexus USA.

2026 Lexus ES 350h: Edison Buyers Guide

The familiar formula, updated

If the old ES 300h was the safe, no-drama choice, the 350h is that idea carried forward with more everything. The net system output climbs to 244 horsepower from a 186-hp 2.5-liter engine and a 201-hp electric motor working through an updated CVT — Lexus doesn't publish one combined torque figure for the pairing, which is normal for a hybrid split across two different reduction ratios, but the seat-of-the-pants difference over the outgoing car is real. Fuel economy actually improves at the same time: 46 mpg combined on FWD, only a couple mpg off on AWD.

Both trims come standard with eight-way power front seats that are heated and ventilated, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, and the new 14.0-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen running wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 — pre-collision detection, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise, road sign recognition — is standard on both, not an option you have to hunt for.

Premium vs. Premium+

Premium gets you into the 350h with a 10-speaker sound system and all the safety and comfort basics above. Step up to Premium+ and the audio jumps to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system, and you pick up Lane Change Assist, Rear Pedestrian Detection, Front Cross-Traffic Alert, Advanced Park with Remote Park, and Digital Key 2.0 — the ability to unlock and start the car from a phone without pulling out a fob. The gap between the two trims is about $4,800 whichever drivetrain you pick, and for most Edison-area buyers it comes down to whether Mark Levinson audio and the parking-assist suite are worth that jump; the base safety tech is identical either way.

FWD or AWD for Route 1 winters

The 350h's AWD option is genuinely new engineering, not a carryover system — a 54-hp e-Axle at the rear wheels that engages when the front tires need help, adding $1,400 to either trim. For drivers who mostly stay on cleared roads and value the extra couple mpg of FWD, that's a fair trade. For anyone doing the Route 1/Route 27 commute through an unplowed side street in January, or making regular runs up toward the Watchungs, the AWD version is the one worth the premium — it's a meaningfully different car in bad weather than the FWD-only ES 350e down the lineup.

What buyers say

Hybrid ES buyers at Lexus of Edison tend to be repeat customers, and it shows in the reviews. "I recently acquired a 2024 Lexus ES 250 AWD from Lexus of Edison. My sales representative, Dale Johnson, demonstrated exceptional responsiveness and expertise," one buyer wrote — describing the prior generation, but the same sales floor and the same Dale Johnson still selling ES hybrids today. Another, from a certified purchase: "I purchased a certified Lexus ES350. Dale Johnson was very professional and helpful. The entire process of purchasing this vehicle was simple and easy."

Frequently asked questions

Is the ES 350h a plug-in hybrid?

No — it's a standard (non-plug-in) hybrid. You never plug it in; the battery charges itself from the engine and regenerative braking. If you want to charge from an outlet, that's the job of the ES 350e or ES 500e further down the lineup, both of which are fully electric.

What's the real-world mileage difference between FWD and AWD?

EPA estimates put FWD at 46 mpg combined and AWD at 44 — a small, honest gap for the traction you gain. Most owners report numbers close to those combined figures in mixed Route 1 driving.

Does the 350h qualify for New Jersey's EV registration surcharge?

No. New Jersey's annual EV road-usage fee applies to battery-electric vehicles like the ES 350e and ES 500e — a standard hybrid like the 350h is exempt from that specific charge. See the pricing guide for what New Jersey does apply to every 2026 ES, hybrid included.

How does the 350h compare to the old ES 300h?

More power (244 net hp vs. the 300h's roughly 215), a newer sixth-generation hybrid system, an all-new cabin and safety suite, and, for the first time, an AWD option the 300h never offered. It's a bigger step up than the badge change suggests.

See one at Lexus of Edison

Both 350h trims are typically on the lot at Lexus of Edison's new-inventory search, on US Highway 1. Back to the full ES lineup overview, or jump to the ES 350e and ES 500e guides to compare against the electric side of the range.

All 2026 Lexus ES guides

• 2026 Lexus ES buyers guide
• 2026 Lexus ES 350e
• 2026 Lexus ES 500e
• Lexus ES service & repair in Edison
• 2026 Lexus ES pricing & leasing in Edison