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

[Gor134]

I think it's a China exclusive. Their market might have gotten tired of waiting for the new model so they rushed a quick update?

 

[Kelvin2020]

I think it's a China exclusive. Their market might have gotten tired of waiting for the new model so they rushed a quick update?

I’m pretty sure it’s the China special version, will be unveiled tomorrow at the Guangzhou Auto show.

 

[Sulu]

Does this mean the next generation will be delayed another year, to 2 years after the Camry's generation change rather than the expected 1 year?

 

[sl0519]

More from Lexus China:

 

[davidlovelexus]

So can we expect any real 2026 ES dubut in LA Autoshow next week?

 

[Kelvin2020]

Paint matched forehead😭

 

[mediumhot]

Very appropriate for Chinese market, with DRL L swoosh being mirrored horizontally unlike current ES it reminds me of knock-off Nike sneakers back in the day. Like Hike with swoosh turned upside down JK upside down swoosh is a new thing now

 

[LexusStar]

Yeah, definitely not a good look. Doesn't have any separating character from the SUV lineup. The front and back are too busy. If this is next gen or facelift, I expect these lose more value than the current ES if I had it my way.

 

[ericjtsang]

lame update, but in a market segment that has no competition (entry level + midsize), why would they need to put any real effort into this?

 

[LexusStar]

So can we expect any real 2026 ES dubut in LA Autoshow next week?

I don't see Lexus on the list on the LA auto show website.

 

[Ali Manai]

The interior colour is nice though wish they bring this one to crown sedan

 

[Flagship1]

The interior colour is nice though wish they bring this one to crown sedan

yup, personally red interior isnt my cup of tea, but its pretty tasteful in this

 

[sl0519]

yup, personally red interior isnt my cup of tea, but its pretty tasteful in this

Next LS pls!

 

[Flagship1]

For some reason the ES combo looks easier on the eyes. The above pic only is a Porsche due to the crest, but otherwise i couldnt tell.

 

[Gecko]

I like the grill on the new ChDM ES - it’s a nice evolution of the spindle that doesn’t look buck toothed or beluga headed (lexus global, take note).

I also really like the interior color options and trims: Red and white, red and black, black and palomino (including palomino steering wheel) feel more like flagship options than mainstream ones. It feels more daring and upscale than what the ES has been historically.

 

[F1 Silver Arrows]

You know what really bothers me about the refresh? The dashboard looks straight ripped off from the Toyota Grand Highlander.

Once you see it, you can never unsee it.

 

[CRSKTN]

Much better

 

[ES300h]

The color matched steering wheel looks nice, upscale. Red seatbelts - wowzie that is nice and premium. I would rock the red and white interior.

Based on past ES options, I don't expect to get all the nice color combos here in Canada - Lexus offerings here tend to be booooooring.

 

[Flagship1]

so are they just building these out on the same line?

kinda strange for Toyota to step back from the global unification mo that TNGA is known for.

 

[ssun30]

Lexus USA: sorry you can only have black interior with black/silver paint.

The color matched steering wheel looks nice, upscale. Red seatbelts - wowzie that is nice and premium. I would rock the red and white interior.

Based on past ES options, I don't expect to get all the nice color combos here in Canada - Lexus offerings here tend to be booooooring.

Light color interior has always been popular in China because black interior get very hot in summer. Most people would choose beige over black if given the option.

In fact it can be a bit of culture shock when we first saw most cars in US have black interior. It makes no sense to us that people prefer an objectively less comfortable interior color. My theory has always been that Americans usually eat and drink in their cars so they need an easier to clean interior.