Lexus: 2026 Lexus ES Gets a Full Makeover to Lure Buyers Away From SUVs

Unveiled at the Shanghai auto show, the 2026 Lexus ES is here to argue that there's still life left in the sedan segment. The model stands out from its predecessor with sharper-looking styling that ushers in a new design language for the brand, a choice of electrified drivetrains, and more technology inside. Now in its eighth generation, the ES has come a long way since it made its debut as a posh evolution of the Toyota Camry for the 1990 model year. It's not the best-selling Lexus out there, but the nameplate carries with it a lot of heritage: It's one of the two models that introduced the Lexus brand to the world . Visually, the new ES ditches the spindle-shaped grille that has appeared on most members of the brand's range for over a decade. The front end is still a little spindle-like, but it's grille-less with the exception of a small section integrated into the bottom part of the front bumper. One important detail to keep in mind is that the pictures released by Lexus only show the electric ES 500e model. Lexus notes that the hybrid version wears "a slim upper grille" for better cooling, though photos haven't been released as of publication. Like the exterior, the interior shifts in a cleaner-looking and more streamlined direction. Horizontal lines emphasize the cabin's sense of width, there are fewer buttons on the dashboard, and there's a 14-inch touchscreen with a split-screen function for the next generation of the company's infotainment system. The driver faces a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, but depending on your perspective, the best seats in the house are out back. For the first time, Lexus will offer an optional Executive Package that bundles heated, ventilated, and power-reclining rear seats with a massage function and a passenger-side ottoman. Globally, the range will include three models called ES 350h, ES 350e, and ES 500e, respectively. The first one will use a gasoline-electric hybrid system built around a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that's linked to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive will come standard, and all-wheel drive will be offered at an extra cost. The other two will be fully electric: The 350e is front-wheel drive while the 500e gets all-wheel drive. Lexus estimates that the 350e will have about 300 miles of range when it's fitted with the standard 19-inch wheels, but full technical details (including horsepower) haven't been released yet. All variants of the ES, regardless of what's under the hood, receive a multi-link rear suspension system, which should improve handling. The sedan measures 202 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 61 inches tall, and its weight ranges between 4,012 pounds for the lightest hybrid and 4,861 pounds for the heaviest EV. More information about the 2026 Lexus ES will be released closer to its on-sale date, which is set for next year. It's the second of three EVs planned by the Toyota-owned brand, and it will help open a new chapter for Lexus. We're told to expect "a comprehensive re-imagining" of Lexus at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show at the end of October.