REVEALED! 8th Generation Lexus ES Megathread (ES 350h, ES 350e, ES 500e)

mikeavelli

mikeavelli

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JustADude said:
Who's going to buy this thing it's so big? Basically buying an LS with a 250hp 4 banger. Is it 100% confirmed this is for the NA market as well?
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Clearly aimed for China. Remember how many brands do a LWB version of their midsize cars? This is basically a LWB ES standard.
 
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ssun30

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The new platform does have some improvements in crash structure and materials use. The front crash beam is now two-piece with an integrated crumple box so low speed crash won't result in frame damage. An extra transverse support beam is added in the engine bay. High-tensile steel is increased in the floor for better passenger compartment rigidity. The rear annular structure is double the thickness. So overall this generation should be considerably stronger. The one downgrade is the front quarter panel is now made of steel instead of aluminum, but could be a positive since it will be easier to repair.

New ES:
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Old ES
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Unfortunately the suspension system still seems to be entirely steel. Even the Honda Accord these days use forged aluminum lower control arms to reduce unsprung weight and improve handling and ride quality. It also seemed to remove the Yamaha lateral damper used on the previous gen. The CDC-style AVS is so 2000s as the world is moving on to semi-active suspension and fully active electromagnetic suspensions. I'm not asking for the power-sucking fully active system used on Chinese cars, but a GM-style Magneride is a notable improvement over AVS. Toyota used to be a leader in suspension tech, but nowadays they just gave up all that R&D to save maybe a couple hundred dollars.
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It also lacks a rear stabilizer bar (the RX has one).
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The LS has forged aluminum upper and lower control arms, air springs, and an active stabilizer that can adjust lean angle based on speed.
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The new motto of the brand should be "cutting corners wherever you can".
 
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ssun30

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"China is coming for you with their BEVs"
"I will never buy a BEV so why bother"
"China is coming for you with their twin turbo V8s"

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K

KOHIPEET

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I'm liking the looks of the 350h in atomic silver quite a lot actually. It's certainly no flagship material (calling it one was a big mistake from Lexus), but it looks futuristic and dynamic. Lexus vehicles also tend to look much better in person, so I'm not worried about the exterior. The interior is a mixed bag. Some parts I like, some parts I don't (that wheel looks absolutely horrendus), but I'll reserve final judgement until I can get a hands-on with it.
All in all, I think a lot will depend on the pricing. If they price it similar to the current ES, it'll probably see success, if they price it closer to the LS, it's DOA.
 
Kelvin2020

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www.lexus.ca

REIMAGINING THE LUXURY SEDAN: THE ALL-NEW 2026 LEXUS ES Apr 23, 2025

TORONTO, April 23, 2025 – The all-new 2026 Lexus ES was unveiled at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition today, introducing an eighth generation of the global luxury sedan.
www.lexus.ca www.lexus.ca

“The all-new ES is the second of three new Lexus BEV models scheduled to debut by March 2026. It catalyzes a product momentum that coincides with a comprehensive reimagining of the Lexus brand set to be revealed at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2025.”
 
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mediumhot

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mikeavelli said:
Everything i’ve read said any Japanese company will have a natural limit in China due to a very challenging past relationship between the two nations which still is in the minds of the country. Some of the things I read I was ignorant to was pretty shocking. I’m glad both have mostly moved on.

I also have to say I am ignorant to Chinese cars in Japan. Is that a thing? I’m not sure how long China would play along with countries not allowing exports.
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Honestly I got no clue about foreign policies but so far neither did US nor EU have asked Chinese manufacturers to partner up with domestic manufacturers, share EV technology and logistics and open up an assembly co-share factory in both US and EU. That's exactly what China wanted from established manufacturers a while back. So why can't US and EU ask for the same? Instead, they are fighting it off with custom duties or straight out ban. Let them come, let them partner up, let them share their know-how in EV just like how Toyota, Honda, VW, BMW did with their know-how to setup the production line in China and let them manufacture vehicles here in western hemisphere.
 
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ssun30

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mediumhot said:
Honestly I got no clue about foreign policies but so far neither did US nor EU have asked Chinese manufacturers to partner up with domestic manufacturers, share EV technology and logistics and open up an assembly co-share factory in both US and EU. That's exactly what China wanted from established manufacturers a while back. So why can't US and EU ask for the same? Instead, they are fighting it off with custom duties or straight out ban. Let them come, let them partner up, let them share their know-how in EV just like how Toyota, Honda, VW, BMW did with their know-how to setup the production line in China and let them manufacture vehicles here in western hemisphere.
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And this arrangement even existed before during the US/Japan trade war. GM/Toyota joint venture at NUMMI so GM. Toyota was open to teaching them about TPS but GM was too arrogant to learn and the JV failed.
 
Gecko

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My logic is kind of circular here, but I keep asking myself, "Who is this car for exactly...?" and at the end of it, I realize this ES is designed and engineered for China - and nobody else - so I should stop trying to understand. But it does surprise me that Lexus has decided the future of the North American sedan market is only worth one Chinese-engineered sedan. That is disappointing.
  • LS buyer - or whatever is left of them - will not buy this ES, part because it's an ES but mostly because the interior is barren and lacks the luxury and ambience LS buyers expect.
  • GS/IS buyer - it's too big and not sporty enough
  • ES buyer - I don't see the traditional North American ES buyer going for this car either, mostly because the interior is so bad and lacks traditional luxury elements.
  • Europe/UK/Japan - it's too big and not a great fit
I know very well that the sedan market is in decline, but the brand that once had FIVE sedans in the US has now decided they are going into the future with one... that isn't even a great fit for the market? If Mercedes and BMW can keep at least 3 core sedans alive, then it's beyond disappointing to see Lexus consolidate to one. And unfortunately, it's not like the accompanying SUV/CUV models are standouts either.

The LC continues to be far and away Lexus' real flagship model for however long it lasts... and not because it keeps getting better, but because everything else in the lineup keeps getting worse. Such a shame.
 
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sl0519

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Gecko said:
My logic is kind of circular here, but I keep asking myself, "Who is this car for exactly...?" and at the end of it, I realize this ES is designed and engineered for China - and nobody else - so I should stop trying to understand.
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Even in China, I have no idea who would buy this uncompetitive "pseudo EV". Like @ssun30 mentioned earlier, Chinese domestic EVs right now have everything - you name it. Advanced driver assistance, curved screens, zero-gravity seats, automatic doors, 800V architecture, fully active suspension, high performance motors with tons of range - all that at a fraction of the price (local).

And then you look at this thing: a 2.5L inline-4 with 200 horsepower? Slow acceleration, all-steel suspension, and worst of all: because of poor engineering, they had to raise the whole car in order to stuff the battery below the chassis - basically turning it into a budget econobox appearance.

Look, I’m not usually the type to hype up made in China stuff. But the pace of progress in their EV space has gone way beyond what most people imagined. Meanwhile, these legacy automakers are still daydreaming, thinking they can just throw out any half-baked product and expect it to sell? Seriously lol!
 
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