Lexus’s mid-sized ES luxury sedan is getting a redesign for its eighth generation that includes some edgier styling and a significant platform change that accommodates both an all-electric drivetrain and a regular hybrid one.
Revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show today, the 2026 ES is Lexus’ second electric vehicle after the RZ, which was just refreshed in March. The bolder-looking ES borrows its “spindle” front styling, spicy angles, L-shaped daytime running lights, and swooping rear from the LF-ZC concept revealed in 2023 at the Japan Mobility Show. Lexus says it will present “a comprehensive reimagining” of its brand at the show this October.
The ES uses a modified version of Toyota’s EV platform called the TNGA GA-K, which includes reinforcements for better stability for both the hybrid or EV versions. It can accommodate a new, lighter-weight 2.5-liter hybrid system that comes with more battery capacity for the 350h model, which now includes an AWD option.
The platform can also house a big EV battery on the floor of the FWD 350e and AWD 500e models without making the interior less comfortable, according to Lexus. The company estimates that the ES 350e has 300 miles of range per charge when equipped with 19-inch wheels.
Inside the ES, you get a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the ability to connect to two smartphones via bluetooth simultaneously. The door panels have a bamboo look made from 3D printed materials and the cabin has ambient lights and Mark Levinson surround sound audio.
Lexus plans to launch the new ES before March 2026, including in the US. In the same timeframe, it plans to release another EV, which could be based on an upcoming three-row SUV that parent company Toyota has cooking while it works to get more serious about EVs.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
