Lexus reveals new ES with hybrid and electric options

Lexus has pulled back the covers on the all-new ES, which will come with hybrid power and, for the first time, an electric option.

A rival for executive cars like the BMW 5 Series, the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the new Lexus ES – the eighth generation – was revealed at China's Shanghai motor show. China is a key market for the ES, but it'll be coming to the UK in the spring of next year.

As well as the now-familiar hybrid ES, there'll also be an all-electric version, which will widen its rivals to include the likes of the BMW i5, the Tesla Model S and the Mercedes EQE. With the larger Lexus LS now no longer on sale, the new ES will be Lexus' only UK saloon option.

Lexus says the main focus in the new ES's development has been to improve comfort and quietness, which should make it a benchmark for those qualities.

New 2026 Lexus ES: price and release date

The new Lexus ES is likely to arrive in the UK in the spring of 2026, but no specs or prices have yet been announced. We'd expect prices to start in the region of £50,000 to be competitive against its rivals.

New 2026 Lexus ES: exterior and interior

The look of the new ES is inspired by the LF-ZC concept car of 2023. Compared to the outgoing car, it has sleeker proportions that give it a sportier and more modern look, with a smoother, sloping rear end to give it coupe-like shape and no distinct boot lid. It's some 165mm longer, at 5140mm, and wider too at 1920mm.

The stance of the car is more planted, with wide-set wheels and sharp lines, with Lexus' trademark "Spindle" grille blended into the body, and twin slim headlights. At the back, a light bar runs across the width of the car and includes the tail and brake lights. There's also an illuminated Lexus logo.

The design also takes into account space for an underfloor battery but, Lexus says, without compromising comfort or ease of access. Seven colours will be available, including a new shade called SOU – judging by the photos, it's a grey-blue colour.

Inside, there's more space than before, thanks to the longer body and wheelbase, with higher seats that should give a better view of the road while also making it easier to get in and out. The seats have been slimmed down and the window frames lowered to let in more light, and there's an optional panoramic roof to increase the airy feel. The roof can dim at the touch of a button to control sunlight.

Lexus envisages plenty of ES customers wanting to luxuriate in the back seats, so they've been upgraded to include features like massage functions, reclining options and even an ottoman on high-spec models. Other features incllude bamboo trim options and a new synthetic leather, as well as an optional Mark Levinson sound system.

The dashboard features a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a a huge 14-inch screen for the LexusConnect infotainment system. You can also specify a second monitor for the passenger.

Lexus promises "practical cargo capacity" but hasn't yet revealed the size of the ES boot.

New 2026 Lexus: engines, gearboxes, motors and batteries

Four powertrains have been announced for the new ES – two hybrids and two electric. Although UK specifications have yet to be confirmed, we do know that the UK will get the slightly less powerful hybrid option, badged as the ES 300h, which uses a 2.5-litre petrol engine and makes 201PS. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models will be available. Eastern Europe gets a slightly more powerful model, called the ES 350h, which has 247PS.

The two electric options are the ES 350e and the ES 500e. The former has front-wheel drive and a motor that develops 224PS, while the dual-motor ES 500e develops 343PS. The battery size hasn't been confirmed, but Lexus promises a very impressive range of around 425 miles in the ES 350e and around 379 miles in the ES 500e.