Lexus has unveiled the eighth-generation ES at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, marking a transformative moment for the luxury sedan that has anchored the brand's lineup since 1989. The all-new 2026 ES becomes the first Lexus core model to embrace multi-platform electrification, offering both hybrid and battery-electric variants that signal the brand's accelerated push toward sustainable luxury mobility.
Developed under the concept of "Experience Elegance and Electrified Sedan," the new ES draws design inspiration from the next-generation BEV concept LF-ZC, introducing what Lexus calls its Clean Tech x Elegance aesthetic. This design philosophy seamlessly blends functional innovation with emotional sophistication, creating a visual language that could define the brand's electric future.
The exterior redesign achieves striking new sedan proportions through intelligent packaging that accommodates underfloor battery placement while preserving interior comfort. A flowing, trunkless profile and sharply tapered rear cabin create a more dynamic presence, while precise millimeter-level tire positioning achieves a wider, lower stance that emphasizes performance capability.
Inside, the platform has been completely reengineered, extending overall length by 6.5 inches and the wheelbase by 3 inches to create a more spacious cabin. For the first time in North America, an Executive Package offers reclining rear seats with passenger-side ottoman, massage functions, and heating and ventilation, elevating the ES into true luxury sedan territory.
The powertrain lineup spans from the enhanced ES 350h hybrid system to the all-new ES 350e and ES 500e battery-electric models. The BEV variants offer manufacturer-estimated ranges of 300 and 250 miles respectively, with the ES 500e featuring DIRECT4 intelligent all-wheel drive that continuously adjusts torque distribution from 100:0 to 0:100 front-to-rear ratios.
Pricing starts at $48,795 for the ES 350e Premium, positioning the electrified sedan competitively against German rivals while offering the reliability and refinement Lexus has cultivated over decades. The ES represents the second of three new Lexus BEV models scheduled to debut by March 2026, catalyzing product momentum that coincides with a comprehensive brand reimagining.