A BOLD new design atop a stretched wheelbase, higher-end cabin inclusions and the addition of absolutely electrical powertrains atop acquainted hybrids headline the debut of the eighth-generation Lexus ES.
Unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2025, the brand new Lexus ES vary is because of arrive in Australia subsequent yr with at the very least one hybrid and one electrical possibility for native sedan consumers.
A staple of Lexus’s portfolio, the ES has undergone a change in kind and performance.
Lengthened proportions now measuring 5140mm (+165mm) place it nearer to giant sedan territory, whereas the ES stands 110mm taller than the outgoing XZ10 ES to accommodate the big battery utilized by electrical variants.
Whereas the midsize automobile market has drastically shrunk lately, the ES stays a average success for Lexus domestically. Australian consumers took dwelling 1025 examples in 2024 (down from 1727 in 2023). That quantity accounted for 7.5 per cent of whole Lexus gross sales in Australia.
Whereas the sedan retains a traditional boot, a fastback-style silhouette, sculpted flanks, and distinguished hockey-stick crease sign a extra assertive design course.
This new language debuts on the ES, characterised by skinny LED headlights, a low-mounted entrance apron impressed by the LF-ZC idea, and a full-width LED tail-light bar integrating LEXUS script.
Underpinning the dramatic design overhaul is an equally substantial replace to the ES’s structure. Lexus has re-engineered the TNGA-Okay platform (beforehand utilized by the outgoing ES and at present by different Toyota-Lexus hybrids) to assist bigger battery packs for single- and dual-motor electrical configurations.
The transfer comes as Toyota Motor Company (TMC) responds to divergent traits: surging demand for EV sedans in China and extra hesitant take-up of absolutely electrical fashions in Western markets.
The Japanese luxurious marque now joins rivals in providing battery-electric choices inside a conventional sedan physique, albeit with a versatile powertrain technique dubbed ‘multi-pathway’ that retains petrol-electric hybrid variants, analogously to BMW’s related ‘Energy of Alternative’ idea.
Inside, the ES marks a transparent departure from the flowing curves of the outgoing mannequin.
Of their place is a modernised and horizontal format constructed round a shelf-like dashboard. A 14.0-inch central touchscreen anchors the fascia above a bodily quantity curler and local weather shortcuts, whereas a cowled 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster shows a brand new working system.
Inside finishes embody patterned bamboo trim and new color choices akin to pale inexperienced, gentle gray and tan. An extended wheelbase (2950mm, +80mm) liberates extra space in each rows, with out there consolation upgrades like a rear seating package deal providing therapeutic massage performance and a entrance passenger seat ottoman.
Whereas detailed Australian specs will likely be held till a time nearer to the ES’s 2026 native launch, Lexus has confirmed 4 propulsion choices globally – two hybrids and two EVs – with front- and all-wheel drive configurations out there from each vitality sources.
The brand new entry-level hybrid wears the acquainted ES 300h however is actually not the carryover possibility: it as a substitute includes a smaller 2.0-litre petrol-electric four-cylinder, producing 145kW. This variant may successfully exchange the discontinued ES 250, which was final priced at $62,140 plus on-road prices.
A extra highly effective ES 350h carries a revised model of in the present day’s ES 300h motor (a 2.5-litre petrol-electric setup) now set to supply 182kW (+22kW). Lexus has not disclosed mixed torque outputs, however all-wheel drive turns into out there for the primary time on hybrid variants.
Pure-electric fashions are badged ES 350e and ES 500e.
The previous is a front-wheel drive EV rated at 165kW, whereas the latter is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive flagship with 252kW. Lexus claims a 0–100km/h time of 5.9 seconds for the ES 500e, making it the quickest ES ever produced, whereas the ES 350e has a significantly extra modest 8.9sec declare.
Battery specs have but to be confirmed, however each EV variants seem to share the identical pack. For fashions focussed on China, TMC usually sources lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs from rival producer BYD.
Claimed vary underneath the CLTC check is 685km for the ES 350e and 610km for the ES 500e – anticipated to translate to roughly 550km and 490km respectively underneath the WLTP cycle. Peak DC charging price is 150kW, with a ten to 80 per cent cost achievable in round half-hour.
Gas tank measurement for hybrid variations is prone to stay at 50 litres, although gasoline economic system information has not but been printed. Primarily based on the present ES 300h’s 4.8 litre per 100km score, a variety of greater than 1000km is feasible.
