Does the 2026 Lexus ES 350h Come With Standard AWD? Complete Buyer's Guide to the 244-HP Sixth-Gen Hybrid

Yes — in Canada, the 2026 Lexus ES 350h comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment on every grade. There is no front-wheel-drive ES 350h option for Canadian buyers. This is a practical decision by Lexus: the ES 350h AWD system uses a rear-mounted e-Axle that delivers power to the rear wheels on demand, providing the traction and stability advantages that all-season Canadian driving requires. If AWD is on your checklist, the ES 350h already clears it.

The AWD question is often the first one buyers ask about the ES 350h, and the answer leads naturally into what makes the sixth-generation hybrid system — and the all-new 2026 ES overall — worth understanding in full. Here is a practical overview.

How the AWD System Works

The ES 350h AWD does not use a mechanical connection between the front and rear axles in the traditional sense. Instead, a 54-hp electric e-Axle is mounted at the rear. It responds to inputs from wheel speed, acceleration, and steering angle sensors, adjusting torque distribution in real time across a range of 100:0 to 20:80 (front:rear). The result is a system that can deliver meaningful rear power when the road conditions call for it — without the fuel consumption penalty of a conventional AWD setup.

This rear e-Axle is one component of the larger sixth-generation hybrid system. Total combined system output is 244 horsepower — a jump of 29 hp over the outgoing ES 300h. Manufacturer-estimated fuel consumption for the 2026 ES 350h AWD is 5.0 / 5.6 / 5.3 L/100 km (City / Highway / Combined).

The Sixth-Generation Hybrid System

The 2026 ES 350h uses a 2.5 L four-cylinder engine paired with a starter-generator, a front motor-generator, and an electronically controlled CVT. For 2026, engine output increases to 186 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque. The front motor-generator output has increased significantly as well — from 118 hp and 149 lb-ft to 201 hp and 199 lb-ft. Lexus designed the new system to favour the electric motor more heavily during everyday driving, which keeps engine revs lower and reduces cabin noise at cruising speeds.

The CVT has also been redesigned with a simplified cooling circuit and a new multi-axis layout that results in a more rigid and compact transaxle casing. Active Noise Control in the audio speakers works alongside new engine intake sound-absorbing material and a larger muffler to suppress noise at higher rpm.

• Combined system output: 244 hp
• Fuel consumption: 5.3 L/100 km combined
• Rear e-Axle torque distribution: 100:0 to 20:80 (front:rear)
• Sixth-gen system operates on electric-dominant logic at everyday speeds

The All-New 2026 ES Platform and Design

The 2026 ES is not a refresh — it is a completely new vehicle built on a redesigned GA-K platform that accommodates both the ES 350h hybrid powertrain and the two new BEV powertrains (ES 350e and ES 500e). The new platform increases body rigidity for better steering feedback and ride quality, and introduces variable gear ratio steering and a multi-link rear suspension system — both firsts for the ES nameplate.

The exterior design follows Lexus's "Clean Tech X Elegance" language, informed by the LF-ZC concept car. Inside, slimmer seat construction and an expanded glass surface area create a notably more open cabin than the previous generation. The 2026 ES also introduces next-generation Twin-L signature headlamps and two new door-trim treatments — bamboo layering and synthetic leather embossing — across select grades.

Grades Available in Canada

The ES 350h AWD is offered in three grades in Canada:

Signature — Entry grade with 19-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof, power trunk, 8-way power adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, NuLuxe upholstery, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen, 12.3-inch multi-information display, and wireless smartphone dock.

Premium — Adds headlamp washer, 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, digital key with card key, head-up display, Around View Monitor, Advanced Park system, and digital rear-view mirror.

All three grades include the newest Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 as standard — the latest generation of Lexus's active safety technology bundle.

Key Takeaways

Learn More at Lexus of Lakeridge

The 2026 Lexus ES 350h AWD is available now. Visit the team at Lexus of Lakeridge in Ajax to explore the grades and learn more about the sixth-generation hybrid powertrain in person.