2027 Lexus ES 350e Executive First Look

The 2027 Lexus ES 350e Luxury Executive takes the familiar idea of the ES and pushes it into a completely different direction. This is not simply an electric version of the Lexus sedan. With the available Executive Package, the ES 350e becomes a luxury car designed just as much around the rear passengers as the person sitting behind the steering wheel.

Power comes from a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor driving the front wheels. It produces 221 horsepower and is supplied by a 74.7 kilowatt hour lithium ion battery mounted beneath the passenger compartment. Lexus estimates the ES 350e can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.4 seconds. Performance is clearly not the main mission here. Instead, Lexus has concentrated on quietness, comfort, efficiency, and a smooth driving experience.

With the standard 19 inch wheels, the ES 350e carries an Environmental Protection Agency estimated driving range of 307 miles. Choosing the available 21 inch wheels reduces that estimate to 292 miles. The car also uses the North American Charging System charging port. Under ideal conditions, direct current fast charging can take the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 28 minutes at speeds of up to 150 kilowatts.

The Luxury trim is where the ES 350e becomes particularly interesting. Semi aniline leather trimmed seating, bamboo interior accents, ambient lighting, and an available 17 speaker, 1,800 watt Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound System give the cabin a much more upscale atmosphere.

But the Executive Package is the feature that really changes the personality of this Lexus.

The rear passenger side seat receives 4 way power adjustment, including a reclining function and a deployable ottoman. The rear driver side seat receives 2 way power adjustment, while both outboard rear passengers get heated and ventilated seats with a massage function. Lexus also adds plush headrests, rear climate controls integrated into the center armrest, and 2 additional universal serial bus Type C ports.

It creates the type of rear seat experience normally associated with significantly more expensive flagship luxury sedans.

Technology remains a major part of the experience up front. A 12.3 inch digital Multi Information Display sits ahead of the driver, while a large 14 inch Lexus Interface touchscreen dominates the center dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard, and Digital Key 2.0 allows a compatible smartphone to function as the vehicle key when the required connected service is active.

The ES 350e Luxury also benefits from Lexus Safety System Plus 4.0, along with available advanced assistance features such as Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Change Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert, and Advanced Park with Remote Park.

The result is an ES that feels very different from the sedan people have known for decades. The 2027 ES 350e Luxury Executive combines electric driving, serious rear passenger comfort, and Lexus refinement in a package that appears aimed at buyers who want flagship style luxury without moving into a much larger sedan.