New 2026 Lexus IS hybrid coming; where V6?

Last week, Toyota Motor Philippines confirmed that Lexus will be launching not one, but two vehicles this 2026. The first one is the all-new ES, which could be offered as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and as an electric vehicle (EV). The other vehicle is the third-generation Lexus IS, which received its third facelift last year.

So which of the two will be launched first? Based on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) updated list of recognized hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), the updated Lexus IS may be revealed first. The 2026 Lexus IS 300h recently received HEV recognition from the DOE, and there will be two variants of the electrified sedan.

The updated DOE listing has the IS 300h 2.5 Executive HEV CVT and the IS 300h 2.5 Premier HEV CVT. Both are 2026 model year vehicles, and both have a maximum engine power of 133 kW or 180 PS and a maximum electric power of 105 kW or 142 PS. It also has a 1.49 kWh battery pack that powers an electric motor.

Last but not least, both hybrid sedans come with the 2.5L 2AR-FSE four-cylinder hybrid engines that are mated to an e-CVT that drives the rear wheels.

But some of you may be asking, where’s the 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 that powers the regular IS 350 & IS 350 F Sport? Worry not, as Toyota Motor Philippines recently received regulatory approval for a passenger vehicle that’s powered by a 3456cc gasoline engine. This translates to an engine displacement of 3.5L, which is most likely the long-lived 2GR V6 engine that makes 315 PS and 380 Nm of torque. Power will most likely be sent to an 8-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels.

With the 2026 Lexus IS 300h already appearing on the DOE’s list of HEVs and the V6 version already receiving regulatory approval, the official launch of the refreshed IS sedan may happen very soon. Hopefully, they will be able to reveal it in Q1 or in early Q2 2026.