How many gears does the ES 350 have?
The current Lexus ES 350 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission; historically, ES 350 models used six-speed automatics. The shift to eight speeds began with the 2019 redesign to improve smoothness and efficiency.
Current ES 350 (2019–present)
For the latest generation, Lexus equips the ES 350 with eight speeds in its conventional automatic transmission. This change started with the 2019 model year update.
- 2019–present ES 350: 8-speed automatic
In short, if you’re looking at a 2019 or newer ES 350, you should expect an eight‑speed automatic transmission.
Earlier ES 350 models (pre-2019)
Prior to the 2019 redesign, ES 350s used a six‑speed automatic transmission across the lineup.
- 2007–2018 ES 350: 6-speed automatic
Conclusion: All ES 350 models before 2019 were equipped with a six‑speed automatic transmission.
Additional notes
For completeness, the ES 350h hybrid variant uses a different hybrid system and typically relies on a multi‑stage or CVT‑style transmission rather than a traditional fixed‑ratio automatic. This article focuses on the gasoline ES 350 configuration.
Summary
The ES 350’s gear count depends on the model year: eight speeds in the current generation (2019–present) and six speeds in the pre‑2019 generations. If you’re shopping, confirm the year to know which transmission you’ll get, and note that the hybrid ES 350h uses a different transmission approach.
