burlapp car

2026 Lexus ES.

By  •  Published:  •  Last updated:

While Toyota decided not to offer an all-new Camry last year, they gave Lexus a really new ES for 2026.

Gone is the smooth V6, of course. Now, the Lexus ES comes standard with a Hybrid powertrain. Which still uses the good old 2.5-liter engine. Which means these all-new 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter units they talked about last year are probably not ready for primetime yet.

The biggest news is the brand new EV models. Sold in the US as the ES 3503 and ES500e. As you can see from the chart above, the difference between the two is FWD or AWD.

Lexus has not released specs yet, except that we know the Hybrid version will be available in FWD or AWD as well. The 350e EV with 19 inch wheels is expected to get a range of 300 miles, which is very decent.

Lexus claims the new ES is the second of 3 new Lexus EVs scheduled to debut by March 2026. As well as a “comprehensive reimagining of the Lexus brand set to be revealed at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2025.” Whatever that means…

I have to say, I think the design is pretty strange, at least from these pretty bad official photos. The top image is actually terrible, with these cheap-looking plasticky black wheels and such a drab grey. It seems the car would look much better in other colors. I am also not sure if the chrome trim is completely gone from all versions or if they just released images of sportier trims with black plastic trim. Something that never looks great on a Lexus.

I do appreciate the super simple interior design. However, that also includes that stupid-looking tablet screen that makes zero effort to be integrated into the general interior design. And still, it seems OK. And again, there seems to me no metal or even wood trim anywhere.

I’m not sure that’s going on with the photo showing the double screen. I guess that would be for the Chinese market. That looks even worse than the single screen.

Such a simple looking interior usually relies on hgth quality materials to look and feel premium in real life. Let’s hope that’s the case…

And again, this is one of these fastback design that is afraid to be a real hatchback. Which is really too bad.

I actually applaud Toyota/Lexus for taking chances for once. And doing so with a pretty clean design compared to what German manufacturers have been turning out lately.

I guess that is a car we need to see “in the flesh”…

Conversation 12 comments

  2. I see a lot more Camry in this version of the ES than in the current one. And Lexus has two other problems. As Toyota continues to cancel engine series, they’re getting the same ones as Toyotas. The other is the plastics. They’re cheapening plastics to reduce costs to be able to compete in China, and that’s degrading the luxury appeal. Adding LEXUS written everywhere in and outside the car isn’t going to make up for that. It just further cheapens it.

  4. I hope they don’t release that in the US, because the black on the front and sides looks terrible and not premium.

  5. Cheap looking Toyota. Very disappointing. The current ES is still a timeless elegant luxury design. This just looks like a Mirai or Crown. Sad day for Lexus fans.

  6. There is nothing about this design that looks like a Lexus. The best view is probably the rear 3/4. The front just looks like a Toyota. The interior looks like every generic Chinese EV. There is nothing luxury about that interior. Nothing Lexus about that interior.

  8. Yawn! This could be any sedan from any manufacturer. Nothing about this stands out or makes me think that I just have to have it. It’s just a repeat of the same shapes and design cues that every other manufacturer is using.

  10. Meanwhile the Toyota stealerships keep charging an arm and a leg for extra crap you don’t need. Toyota stealerships are loaded with Tacomas, Tundras and other models. Tacomas are built with cheap labor in Mexico and they raised the prices so much now that people look for other choices. This model looks OK, and yes it looks more like a Camry.

  12. I saw it in the flesh. It doesn’t look any better. The design is fussy and complicated with all the black plastic along the side and front fascia. The car looks like a 6-7 year old Chinese design. Really, really poor effort by Lexus.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *