The eighth-generation Lexus ES made its debut at the 2025 Shanghai motor show last April, and after being confirmed for a 2026 local launch we now have more specific timing.
Lexus Australia confirmed the new ES sedan, which will be available for the first time with electric power, is due to come here during third quarter (July to September) of 2026. The announcement of pricing and specifications is likely to be made more soon after launch, with prices and specs.
The electric ES will be one of just two electric vehicles (EVs) offered by the Japanese luxury brand in Australia, following last year’s axing of the UX300e small SUV, and will sit alongside the RZ mid-size SUV which recently received significant upgrades and price cuts.
The hybrid ES sedan, in contrast, will sit among a wide range of hybrid models in Lexus showrooms, including the LBX and UX small SUVs, NX mid-size SUV, RX large SUV, LM people mover and LS flagship sedan. A hybrid version of the flagship LX off-road SUV is also locked in for Australia, while the LC500h hybrid coupe remains on price lists for now.
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The ES is the only sedan in Lexus Australia’s lineup (at least for the time being) as it has an uncertain future given that its end of lifecycle and was recently cut out in the US.
In Australia, 13,365 ES sedans were delivered between its launch in 1992 and the end of 2025 (including 7350 hybrids) with an eighth-generation model being the sixth generation of e.g.
Larger than the mid-size model it replaces, the new ES rides on a “newly developed” version of the TNGA GA-K platform, which also underpins the Lexus NX and RX SUVs, and the Toyota Camry.
A total of 165mm longer overall than its predecessor and 5140mm long, the Mk8 Lexus ES is a whole 155mm shorter overall (also over 2835mm) wheelbase of the Camry while riding on an 80mm (2950mm), which also eclipses the 895mm (390mm-long) wheelsbase used in the original’s car. Also, it’s 55mm wider at 1920mm and 110mm taller at 1555mm.
While Lexus Australia has confirmed that the new ES will be available here in 2026, it is yet to detail the local lineup including whether there are any all-wheel drive hybrid variants which would be a first for the ESC Down Under.
There are two hybrid powertrains one that uses an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (e-CVT) and is a front- or all-wheel drive option.
Now, the ES300h is powered by a 2-year-old . 0-100km/h time of 8-8, good output 148kW (48kW) 4-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain with a total output of 0litre four cylinders. Front-wheel drive 2 seconds and 8. A second with all-wheel drive 0 seconds, .
An updated 2 The ES350h has an upgraded . This means that 5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain with a total output of 182kW, which reduces claimed 0-100km/h times to 7 and is reduced by 5 litre 4 cylinder engines. During the period, 7 seconds (FWD) and 7 minutes (DWD). 5 second (AWD) .
According to Lexus, the hybrid ES benefits from an unspecified battery and “a larger-scale integrated eAxle that integrates the power control unit with transaxles”.
A second facelift for the current ES was released late last year, and Lexus (and its parent company Toyota) will be the first electric sedan from LexUS (which sells this small-bZ3 sedan) to be sold outside China.
Lexus says it anticipates a maximum range of 530km on the WLTP cycle for the battery-powered ES.
The ES350e only has front-wheel drive and a battery of just 77kWh lithium-ion (and is good for an estimated 0-100km/h time of 88), with power producing 165kW. 9 seconds.
The ES500e is 75kWh battery but has an All-wheel powertrain with 252kW total output and claimed 0-100km/h time of 5 in dual motors. A has been quoted as saying “7 seconds.”
Lexus’ US division, a strange coincidence, says these two powertrains share the same 74-year-old. Its European and UK equivalents specify 77kWh and 75kWh capacities, while 7kWh battery is 7.
The ES (Electronic Electric Vehicle) No matter, the EV can be charged from 10-80 per cent in 30 minutes with an AC fast-charger of 150kW DC and 25°C outside air.
Electrical ES sedans will be available with 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels; the hybrid’s largest wheel size on the model is 19 inches.
The TNGA GA-K platform was “able to position its large-capacity battery under the floor to reduce the centre of gravity and improve vehicle stability,” Lexus says.
ES500e’s DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system, which continuously controls front-rear torque distribution from 1000 to 0100 per cent by its wheel speed, acceleration and handling and energy efficiency, is further advanced in the way it goes.
For the first time in an ES, there’s multi-link rear suspension to go with the MacPherson front struts.
There is also a rear-wheel steering system called Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS), which can turn the rear wheels by up to four degrees – in reverse direction towards front wheel, as it improves agility at low speeds and in the same direction for stability at higher speeds.
Besides supporting dynamics and comfort and refinement, chassis rigidity is increased, sound-insulating door glass, improved sealing components (and the option of Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which uses a linear solenoid system to adjust damping force).
The new ‘refined minimalism’ exterior design, viewed by the 2023 LF-ZC electric sedan concept, features a slim variant of Lexus’ spindle grille for petrol models and EV variants (with slender new headlights and tail-light), ‘L-Signature’ headlamps with tail lights flanked by tinkerheads; rear lighting strip with LexUS logo and flush door handles.
The new ES also uses the same physical controls for a cleaner dashboard with less buttons inside, highlighted by ‘a larger floating-style 14-inch infotainment touchscreen (backed by the first application of Toyota’s next-generation ‘Arene’ software platform.
And there’s a 12 here. Similarly, 3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual wireless phone chargers and capacitive shortcut buttons that glow when your hand approaches them are all on display. Lexus says the ‘Responsive Hidden Switches’ will be a world-first first in the world.
Lexus has also previewed a larger touchscreen that incorporates a display for the passenger.
A newer system, also called an optional Sensory Concierge system that “orchestrates” the ambient lighting, climate and fragrance according to music playing; a wider panoramic sunroof with heat insulation, thermal protection and 99 per cent ultraviolet light reduction is also available.
The option for rear passengers will also be reclining seats, an ottoman and a massage function using air bladders; even ‘an front passenger seat that folds fully forward to increase legroom’.
Similarly, the new ES will also introduce the Toyota premium brand’s next-generation advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), which will use more sensors to provide a wider field of view from longer distances with further details still to be revealed.
Lexus International chief engineer Kohei Chiashi said the new ES will bring new levels of refinement, quietness and ride comfort.
This is the beginning of the next generation of Lexus and a truly refined experience,’ said “The new ES”. He said it was developed to redefining the sedan, and that “it is designed to help define what we call our car.”
Using the newer TNGA GA-K platform, the newly developed ES supports both HEV and BEV powertrains with an expanded range of electrified vehicle options while helping to realise a carbon-neutral society. – ’.
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Explore the Lexus ES showroom
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