New Lexus ES Unveiled with Hybrid and Electric Powertrains at 2025 Shanghai Motor Show
The all-new Lexus ES has been crafted under the Clean Tech x Elegance design philosophy, blending bold aesthetics with a minimalist approach.
By Reetika Bhatt
Lexus has introduced the 2025 ES sedan at the ongoing Shanghai Motor Show, now available with both hybrid and fully electric powertrains. The new ES combines luxury with modern technology, featuring a refreshed exterior and an upgraded interior with advanced infotainment and premium materials. By offering an electric option alongside the hybrid, Lexus aims to provide more choices for environmentally-conscious buyers. This updated ES brings improved efficiency and performance while maintaining the brand's reputation for comfort and quality. With this new model, Lexus is strengthening its commitment to sustainability without compromising on the driving experience or luxury.
2026 Lexus ES Sedan: Design and Dimensions
The all-new Lexus ES has been crafted under the Clean Tech x Elegance design philosophy, blending bold aesthetics with a minimalist approach. This marks a step forward in Lexus’ vision for future electric vehicle designs. The updated spindle body, an evolution of the brand's iconic grille, emphasises electrified power with its sharply sculpted lines that extend from the front bumper to the bonnet edges. The body rises from the low front and flows into the wide front wings, giving the ES a commanding presence. Hybrid versions feature a grille with upper openings to enhance cooling. The front lights showcase a twin L-signature design with L-shaped daytime running lights and turn indicators, creating a unique Lexus identity while improving visibility.
The side profile of the ES presents a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette, suggesting stability and a low center of gravity. The cabin tapers sharply toward the rear, contrasting with the sculpted lower body surfaces and powerfully contoured shoulders. At the back, the ES features a streamlined light bar with integrated L-signature rear lights, tail, and stop lights, further solidifying its Lexus identity.
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In terms of dimensions, the 2025 ES is significantly larger, measuring 5,140mm in length, 1,920mm in width, 1,560mm in height, and 2,950mm in wheelbase, compared to the outgoing model, which was 4,950mm long, 1,865mm wide, and 1,455mm tall, with a 2,870mm wheelbase.
2026 Lexus ES Sedan: Interior Elements
Inside, Lexus has redefined the interior with a more refined, clean, and sophisticated design, eliminating unnecessary details while retaining physical controls integrated into a panel beneath the infotainment screen. The "Responsive Hidden Switches" function reveals controls only when needed, while the Sensory Concierge feature adjusts the cabin’s mood depending on the selected driving mode.
The 2026 ES offers bold interior theme choices, including white and green, along with classic black and tan, and a range of materials like wood and fabric inserts. The cabin is also highlighted by ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 14-inch infotainment display. The multimedia system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allows two phones to connect via Bluetooth simultaneously, and features onboard navigation for added convenience.
2026 Lexus ES Sedan: Powertrain
The model is available with a choice of hybrid and all-electric drivetrains. The hybrid lineup starts with the ES300h, which uses a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 198bhp. The ES350h variant upgrades to a 2.5-litre engine and delivers 244bhp, with all-wheel drive available as an option.
On the electric front, the ES350e is powered by a single motor producing 221bhp and offers an estimated range of 685 km. Topping the electric range is the ES500e, which uses a dual-motor setup for all-wheel drive, increases output to 338bhp, and provides a driving range of up to 610 km.
Following its world debut at the 2025 Auto Shanghai, the new ES is set to launch in Europe in spring 2026.
