Lexus ES 2026 News

New luxury EV's price shock
By James Cleary · 08 Jul 2026
Lexus Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for the new eighth-generation ES sedan, with a choice of petrol-electric, and for the first time, pure-electric power.That EV power costs only $2000 more than the hybrid version, which is similar to Toyota's old jump up from petrol to hybrid power, and brings EV price parity closer than ever.Underpinned by an evolution of the global ‘GA-K multi-pathway platform’ the new ES breaks the design shackles with a sweeping fastback-style profile while retaining a conventional boot.Inside, a new 12.3-inch driver’s display joins a centrally mounted full-HD 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen running a more powerful Arene operating system with a shift-by-wire Electro-Shiftmatic toggle shift lever controlling the transmission.Longer (+170mm), wider (+55mm) and taller (+110mm) than the car it replaces, with an expanded wheelbase (+80mm), the new ES offers a choice of two BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) powertrains.The line-up launches with the ES 350e, powered by a single electric motor sending 165kW to the front wheels only, while the dual-motor ES 500e distributes a combined 252kW to all four wheels.The BEVs 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged at up to 150kW DC for a 10 to 80 per cent fill “in as little as 28 minutes” while 22kW AC charging capacity is also onboard.Scheduled to arrive later in the year, series-parallel hybrid models feature a newly developed sixth-generation powertrain combining a (105kW/227Nm) 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine with a new ‘eAxle’ incorporating a (150kW/270Nm) permanent magnet synchronous motor generator, inverter and Power Control Unit in the transaxle(s) for a combined output of 144kW.Claimed combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel economy is 4.5L/100km for a theoretical range of around 1200km.Standard equipment on the entry-grade ES 300h includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats (with eight-way power adjustment), smart entry and start and 10-speaker audio.Step up to the ES 300h Luxury + EP and the list of included features adds ventilated front seats, multi-colour ambient interior lighting, a head-up display, wireless device charging, a 360-degree view and 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio.The battery-electric ES 350e Sports Luxury tips in 21-inch alloy wheels, high-definition adaptive high-beam headlights, easy-close doors, semi-aniline leather accented seat trim, 10-way driver’s seat adjustment, driver and front passenger radiant heating, dual wireless smartphone chargers, rear door sunshades and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).Then, the flagship ES 500e Sports Luxury adds the extra motor with all-wheel drive as well as Interactive Manual Drive and unique 21-inch alloy wheels.
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Surprise luxury EV approved for sale in Oz
By Jack Quick · 09 Apr 2026
The new-generation Lexus ES sedan has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its launch later this year.According to the Australian Government filing, only electric versions of the new 2026 Lexus ES have been approved for local sale thus far.Lexus has previously noted that the ES will initially launch in Australia with the ES500e flagship electric variant. It's powered by a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 252kW.However, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed both electric and hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered in Australia.The only other ES variant that has been approved for local sale thus far is the ES350e which is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor with 170kW of power.Hybrid versions of the ES will likely be approved for local sale at a later point, indicating that they may launch after the electric versions.Globally there are two hybrid versions of the ES, the ES300h and ES350h. They are powered by either a 2.0-litre hybrid or 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain, respectively. Both are offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.Little other information about the ES is confirmed in the local approval filing.It measures in at 5145mm long, 1920mm wide and 1560mm tall, with a 2950mm wheelbase. This makes it around 170mm longer than the outgoing model and slightly larger than a BMW 5 Series.The tare mass is 2180kg in the single-motor version and 2280kg for the dual-motor version. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 2635kg or 2735kg, respectively.Either 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels will be offered. At this stage no other specification details have been confirmed, but there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.This eighth generation of the Lexus ES was previewed by the 2023 LF-ZC concept and features an angular design with a fastback silhouette.
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