The all-new 2026 Lexus ES has made its global debut at the 2025 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, ushering in the eighth generation of this esteemed luxury sedan. This significant redesign introduces a comprehensive lineup that includes both hybrid and, for the first time, battery electric vehicle (BEV) models, alongside front- and all-wheel drive configurations. Since its original launch in 1989 alongside the flagship LS, the ES has been a cornerstone of the Lexus brand. The latest iteration has been meticulously redesigned and developed under the guiding principle of “Experience Elegance and Electrified Sedan,” aiming to deliver an even more refined driving experience in all scenarios, enhancing its renowned quietness and ride comfort while thoughtfully addressing evolving customer needs. The design language takes significant inspiration from the next-generation BEV concept, the LF-ZC, signaling a bold new direction for Lexus design that commences with this new ES.
DESIGN: CLEAN TECH x ELEGANCE: The 2026 Lexus ES introduces a fresh design philosophy for the brand: Clean Tech x Elegance. The inherent elegance that has long been a hallmark of the ES has been further sophisticated, seamlessly integrating both functional and emotional aspects to a higher degree, resulting in a design that is both simple and clean in its aesthetic. The exterior styling draws heavily from the LF-ZC BEV concept, achieving a blend of assertive presence and refined minimalism. The vehicle’s has been carefully calibrated to accommodate the underfloor battery placement while ensuring ample interior space, laying the groundwork for proportions that capture the sedan’s most beautiful and expressive form. This approach has led to the creation of a new-generation spindle body, crafted to embody the ideals of electrification. By utilizing the overall of the new ES as a starting point, the design prioritizes achieving the most elegant and visually impactful proportions for a sedan. It features a flowing, trunkless silhouette, a sharply tapered rear cabin, and a lower body sculpted with a theme of bold planar and sculptural integration. Furthermore, precise adjustments at the millimeter level to the tire positioning contribute to a wide and low stance. Echoing the LF-ZC design philosophy, the front of the all-new Lexus ES incorporates a sharply defined spindle shape that extends from the hood to the bumper corners. The front face is distinguished by the contrast in between the low nose of the spindle body and the horizontally oriented fenders, a characteristic of sedans, creating a bold, grounded, and distinctive impression. Hybrid models feature a slim upper grill to ensure optimal cooling performance. The side profile is taut and streamlined, effectively minimizing the perception of . Enhanced shoulder contours improve aerodynamic efficiency, while a trunkless impression emphasizes a striking and powerful presence. The rear of the vehicle embodies the ES’s signature elegance with a sculpted flow from the rear tires to the trunk, resulting in a sleek yet dynamic presence. The body tapers boldly toward the rear, creating a low center-of-gravity stance that suggests dynamic performance. The Lexus ES also debuts a new design icon for the next generation: Twin L-Signature Lamps. The inward-facing daytime running lights and outward-facing turn signals form a double signature that not only enhances Lexus’s unique identity but also improves the visual clarity and functionality of the turn indicators. The rear features a new Rear L-Signature Lamp, making it instantly recognizable as a Lexus. Seamlessly integrated with the illuminated Lexus logo, the single light bar consolidates taillight and stoplight functions, while repositioning other lighting elements to the outer edges. By placing these elements lower and farther outward, the design emphasizes the vehicle’s wide stance and enhances the sculpted rear profile.
An interior offering comfort for all occupants: The design of the cabin prioritized achieving an outstanding sedan package. The platform underwent a complete reengineering, with key structural elements being redesigned. Compared to the previous model, the overall length has been extended by approximately 6.5 inches, and the wheelbase by 3 inches, resulting in a significantly more spacious cabin. Additionally, the seating position has been raised to improve ease of entry and exit, while also providing a broader field of vision. To further enhance the sense of openness, seats and trim elements have been made as slim as possible, and the lower edges of the front and side window frames have been lowered to increase the glass surface area. Through these efforts, Lexus has created a simple and clean interior space based on the design concept of Clean Tech x Elegance, featuring an open, airy upper section with superior visibility, contrasted by a lower section that gently envelops the occupants. For the first time in North America, an Executive Package is available on the ES, offered on the ES 350e FWD Luxury model. This package provides a more spacious and relaxing rear cabin environment and includes reclining rear seats with a passenger-side ottoman, rear outboard massaging seats, and rear seat heating and ventilation. The door trim introduces two Lexus-first design elements that elevate the sensory experience. Bamboo Layering recreates the depth and flow of natural bamboo using 3D printing paired with Thematic Ambient Illumination and new dynamic themes. Synthetic Leather Embossing pairs sharp embossing with Thematic Ambient Illumination to enhance the cabin’s clean, elegant atmosphere. Furthermore, the Mark Levinson® Surround Sound System optimizes speaker placement to create an immersive, three-dimensional soundstage within the cabin. The new Lexus ES cockpit has been designed based on Lexus’s tazuna concept, featuring a driver-focused interior layout. Tazuna elements include a low-profile meter hood housing a uniquely shaped 12.3-inch multi-information display, facilitating smooth eye movement and creating an open, airy feel. A special coating enhances surface quality, while the combination of suede materials and ambient lighting deepens the expression of the tazuna concept. The ES also debuts the latest version of the Lexus Interface multimedia system, which enhances the user experience with a new onscreen home button and split-screen capability. Additionally, the native Voice Assistant has been improved with quicker response times. Native navigation and map functionality are now integrated into the digital gauge cluster. Featuring a 14-inch touchscreen display, the system includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, and simultaneous dual Bluetooth® phone connectivity.
Powertrain and Performance Details: The Lexus ES 350h features the sixth-generation 2.5-liter hybrid system with an integrated eAxle that combines the power control unit and transaxle, resulting in a more compact and lightweight powertrain with higher battery output. The reinforced rigidity of the power unit also helps to suppress vibrations, contributing to a quieter and more refined cabin. The BEV lineup includes two models: the ES 350e front-wheel drive and the ES 500e all-wheel drive. The large-capacity battery is positioned beneath the floor to lower the center of gravity and enhance driving stability. The ES 500e is equipped with DIRECT4 AWD, an intelligent system that continuously adjusts torque distribution to all four wheels (ranging from 100:0 front to 0:100 rear) based on road conditions and driving inputs, enhancing acceleration, handling stability, and energy efficiency. The Lexus ES 350e has a manufacturer-estimated range of 300 miles when equipped with 19″ wheels.
A DIVERSE POWERTRAIN LINEUP: The new Lexus ES was developed with the aim of providing a relaxing experience for all occupants. Building upon the ES’s established strengths of exceptional quietness and ride comfort, further refinements have been implemented to elevate the overall experience. Simultaneously, the driving feel has been enhanced by fully leveraging the distinct characteristics of both HEV and BEV powertrains in a manner unique to Lexus. The ES is constructed on a redesigned TNGA GA-K platform, specifically engineered to accommodate both HEV and BEV powertrains. Rigidity has been significantly increased in the front, floor, and rear sections, resulting in a thoroughly reinforced structure. This enhancement reduces body vibrations and enables sharp, intuitive steering, along with smooth acceleration and deceleration, leading to an agile and responsive driving feel that belies the vehicle’s size. For the first time in an ES, a multi-link rear suspension has been adopted, improving both power delivery to the ground and vehicle posture control. The ES is also equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension.
Summary:
- The 2026 Lexus ES is the eighth generation of the global luxury sedan.
- It introduces the first-ever ES battery electric vehicle (BEV) models.
- The lineup includes hybrid, front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive options.
- The design follows the new Lexus concept: Clean Tech x Elegance, inspired by the LF-ZC BEV concept.
- The interior features a more spacious cabin with enhanced comfort and new design elements like Bamboo Layering and Synthetic Leather Embossing.
- The cockpit is designed based on the tazuna concept with a 12.3-inch multi-information display and the latest Lexus Interface multimedia system with a 14-inch touchscreen.
- The ES 350h offers enhanced power and an available AWD model.
- The BEV lineup includes the ES 350e (FWD) with an estimated 300-mile range (19″ wheels) and the ES 500e (AWD) with DIRECT4 all-wheel drive.
- The vehicle is built on a redesigned TNGA GA-K platform with increased rigidity and a new multi-link rear suspension.
Disclaimer: Vehicle specifications and features are preliminary and subject to change. Range estimates for the ES 350e are manufacturer-estimated and may vary based on driving conditions, charging habits, and other factors.
Source: Lexus
AI Assistance: Gemini
